With both teams in the bottom ranks of their divisions, both teams viewed their chances of grabbing a win to be very high. But it was the Red Liners who pounced first and took control of the game. While the Vortex fought back, the Liners eventually pulled ahead and grabbed their third win of theseason in the 7-4 victory.
The pouncing started with the first two shifts. Twank wristed the puck up into the net on his first rush to the Vortex’s net. The second line scrambled a bit more in front of the net but eventually found a crack just inside the far post to slip the puck in. But for most of the remaining first period, both teams remained scoreless. The Vortex did attack the Liners and managed to breakthrough off a poor clearing attempt by the Liners.
The second period began with renew vigor for the Liners to regain the momentum. Unfortuately, the Vortex would score their second goal early in the period and tie up the score. Seeing that early lead disappear, the guys and gal in red redoubled their effort. They would be rewarded by two unanswered goals and never relinquish the lead for the rest of the game. Twank would pop a backhand shot past the screened Vortex netminder. He would then assist on the prettiest goal of the game: a laser pass to The Jess Man who deflected it into the upper corner of the net. The Vortex did come back and knock in their third goal of the period after more clearing trouble by the Liners. But Bleech would complete the trifecta scoring this period after cleaning up the scramble in front of the the Vortex goal and firing it into the net.
With a two goal lead, the Liners worked both ends of the ice effectively. By concentrating on more offensive threats, they kept the Vortex’s chances to a minimum. Twank would notch a hat trick off another speedy breakaway and rifle shot at the net. He was stymied earlier on after his shot rang off the end of the goalie’s stick. Dirky would score the Liners’ final goal off a lobbed puck that slip its way past a mass of players and just past the Vortex goalie. The Vortex would get a fourth goal off in the closing minutes.
After this third win, the McFet 95th Red Liners are now out of the basement. They have leaded in front of the Polar Vortex and are now tied with 3 other teams with 3 wins a piece. They have 3 remaining games. THeir next will be against Centros on Tuesday, July 15 at 9:50pm.