In a possible preview of a playoff matchup, the first place Red Liners confronted the first place Devils in another prime time Saturday afternoon game. In fact, the teams were almost equally matched. Both had 13-1-1-0 record, GF of 88 & 87, and GA of 30 & 27. But these prime time games can have variable attendance for the teams. Both teams did suit up eleven skaters but both sides were missing some of their top players. Regardless, both squads anticipated a tough game. The Liners also sported their new uniforms for the crowd and came out attacking. In the end, it was a rout with the Liners easily containing the Devils and shutting them out in a 7-0 win.
The guys and gal in red got on the board quickly during the fourth shift. Dirky got a slapper from the far point that rebounded to a charging Jimbo who easily popped it over the Devils’ goalie. Toe would get the remaining goal of the first period several minutes later after he found the open near-side of the net after picking up Senor Cabeza’s rounded wrist shot. Defensive play was kept to a minimum with the solid wall created by the Liners’ D-men.
The Liners have a tendency to lose offensive momentum in the second period and they tried their best to avoid it in this game. They scored three goals in three minutes starting with Senor Cabeza’s. After stopping a blue line charge by the Devils, he picked up B-hole’s pass and skated alone at the Devils. After deking their defense, he popped the puck over the netminder. Dr. Watson scored the first of his two goals less than a minute later after being in the right place in the right time. Twank weaseled his way deep into the Devil zone where he fired a sharp angled wrist shot at the net. The rebound bounced at Watson who easily rifled it into the open net. Toto setup the fifth goal of the game after skating at the Devil net but then dished the puck across the slot ot Jimbo. He froze the goalie down on the ice and wristed the puck in the open upper net.
The third period was had the Red Liners repeat the execution that did for the other two periods. Dr. Watson would get his second goal of the game about half way through third period after lasering a corner wristshot off a pass from Jeff. The Devils did have some life left in them as the had two solid attacks at Bigfield who made a point blank save off a mid-slot slapshot. Twank would notch the final goal of the game after pushing through a lose rebound at the goal post with a mere minute remaining in the game.
Members of the squad today were not sure if they were more motivated by play tough because of their opponents or their new uniforms. Regardless, the Red Liners came out on top and took sole position of first place for the entire C3 division. Their remaining three games will be against middle seeded teams. The win has the Liners securing at least third place in the playoffs. Uncle Puck is only one point behind them in the standings. However, they will be facing off against the Devils next week. The Liners hope to run the table for the remaining games and secure that first place seed.