In a mismatch game on paper, the 95th Red Liners brought a solid squad against the top rank, Top Shelf. The Liners sister team, the Howard Red Liners, kept their game close but could not pull out a win in the end. These Red Liners hoped for a different outcome.
Things looked good as the Red Liners got on the board on the first shift with a upstairs goal off Fogey’s breakaway. Minutes later, Chucky found the back of the net, just inside the near post, off a loose puck wrister. The game began to settle down at that point as neither team could sudden much offensive pressure. Turnovers about near the neutral zone. The Liners failed to capitalize on a power play in the first period as well.
The second period continued the back and forth play. The farther bench changes seemed to tire out both teams. The Liners netminder, Yungster, made several key saves to hold the two goal lead. Unfortunately, Top Shelf would final find the back of the net to pull within one.
The third period began with a stronger offensive onslaught from the Top Shelf. They would tie the game up half way into the final period off a power play. The Liners would get their turn on a power play to try to regain the lead but failed to light the lamp. However that penalty resulted in the Top Shelf’s best player being ejected from the game. The teams would end in a 2-2 tie as time ran out.
The game went into a 3 person shootout. Top Shelf went first and was easily block by the Yungster. Fogey’s attempt went just wide. Top Shelf’s second attempt was smothered by the Liner goalie. Queen Anne easily scored on her shootout attempt after finding a gaping five hole by the Shelf goalie. The Yungster would seal the victory by blocking the Shelf’s final attempt.
In with a rough game with lots of surprises and speed. But overall, a whole team effort. The Captain appreciates the players coping with changing lines. He does apologize for being curt at times and will not repeat it in the future. He greatly appreciates the strong effort by his teammates.