After the giving the Fireballs (2nd place C3 South team) their second loss and biggest loss of the season, the Johnny’s Red Liners marched up to face the Rats C3 in their next big game of the season. The Rats stood at 10-2-0-0 and scored an average of 3.8 goals for and 1.75 goals against per game. The Liners knew they had a tough matchup but Coaches Toe and Slim Jim got the guys in red on the same page and executed a new strategy which produced a well earned 2-1 win.
The first period had both teams feeling each other out. Netminders were walls on both ends as each team created quick attacks with puck turnovers. Neither would score in the first period. The jousting continued into the second with the Liners almost breaking through early in the second period. McClain popped the puck over the Rats goaltender after MK crashed the net to loosen the puck. The goal was overturned because of goaltender interference which the Liners vehemently denied. The second period ended with both teams again 0-0.
The third period would finally have the Liners breakthrough. While crashing the net at the start of the third period, Pauley and Donna Summers tried to pinball the puck into the net. Toe picked up the rebound in the slot and fired a spin around shot over the Rat netminder’s shoulder and into the upper corner of the net. The goal shocked the Rats. The guys in red continued the momentum with throwing wave after wave of scoring attacks. Pauley will further frustrate the Rats after scoring from a shot from the side of the net that bounced off the goalie and into the net. In the closing minutes, the desperation for the Rats kicked in. They successfully crashed the net with Bigfield making several beautiful saves to keep the game scoreless. But one shot rebounded back out and bounced off a Rat player and into the net. After the refs conferred, it was declared a good goal. In the final minute, the Liners clamped down and ran the clock out to secure the victory.
The win capped off a 3 game sweep of 3 of the top 4 teams in both C3 divisions. With a 11-0-1-1 record, the Red Liners have secured the top slot in the entire division. The only remaining top team is the Nutty Squirrels who they are not scheduled to play yet. With their new coaching approach and strategies, the Liners hope to continue their winning ways into the start of the playoffs.