Facing vastly higher skilled teams can be a challenge for the lower recreational team. Such opponents can see such mismatches as an opportunity to practice new shots, dekes, or plays while totally isolating their opponents from the puck and the game. The McFet Red Liners knew this was going to be a tough game from observing their opponents during the warming up. The (visor+no visor) : cage ratio was basically even which suggested a good chance of facing off against ex-college and junior players who’d try to skate around the Liners. But the guys and gals in red pumped themselves up to engage in a physical match to keep the game in check. And to play hockey.
The first period showcased PBR’s superior hockey skills in a 4 goal tally. The Liners’ goalie, Dr. Funk, did make numerous consecutive stops to keep the game within reach. He appeared to wriggle and jive in ways he hadn’t done so for some time. Good blocking by The Lefer and Queen Anne gave scoring attempts to McClain and Fogey but no one could find the back of the PBR net.
The Liners settled the game a bit more in the second period with a bit more physical play and more emphasis of clearing the puck out more quickly. Kamby, El Grando and The Frenchman had scoring changes from scuffles in front of the net but couldn’t quite slip the puck in. Even Sobo and Lindy pinched in to keep the scoring threats alive. PBR would only score one goal off a screened slapshot from the point. Outside of that Dr. Funk continued to make key saves to keep the goal totals down. The shots on net were fewer in this period as PBR seemed to rely less on their spinorama moves and just threw more pucks at the goal.
The Red Liners continued the same tacts in the third period as PBR decided to cherry pick more often as their goal lead seemed solid. The Liners came attacking even harder to try to break the shutout with Javi breaking away at the net and MK crashing the net. But the PBR goalie held firm. One more goal would slip into the Liner’s net before the final buzzer sounded.
While the 6-0 defeat was a solid loss, there was a moral victory echoed by the team captain, Liz. The number of goals against has been steadily going down even though the Liners have been matched up against solid opponents including PBR. Tonight, they kept their opponents scoring to a respectable level while challenging them as best as possible. There is one final seeding game against Goose Island on May 30th. The Liners hope to close this pre-season set with a win.