When preparing for this matchup, past game stats of HawkAuto.com were a bit difficult to interpret. These opponents would suit up an average of 7-8 skaters and score 7.3 goals per game while giving up 3.7. With such a small bench, there is no bought that their skaters are very skilled. At tonight’s game, the Red Liners also had a small bench (10 skaters) against HawkAuto’s typical 7 skaters. After jumping ahead, the Liners fell behind in the second period before the turned it back up in the third period to take the win, 8-5.
While individuals were recorded as earning assists, all goals were a full team effort. Kaner Jr. got the Liners on board quickly after scoring off assists from Doulbe D and McClainer at the five minute mark. Kaner Jr. would score the first period’s only other goal off another pass from Double D. But HawkAuto would come back with a barrage of shots five minutes into the second period and rattle off four unanswered goals to go up by two goals. Kaner Jr. took the momentum back by scoring a hat trick at a mere five seconds after HawkAuto’s fourth goal off defensive thrusts from Sobo and Double D. Baby would tie it up a minute later off by scoring off a loose puck after shots and rebounds by Mixy and Toe. In the closing minutes, Hawk Auto would find the back of the net to end the period up one goal.
Being used to this situation, the guys in red regroup and turned up their resolve by firing everything they had at the shorter benched Hawk Auto. Kaner Jr. tallied his fourth goal early in the period with the help of Donna Martin’s defensive pass. With the score tied, the Liners continued the push as Donna rushed up the puck to Baby whose shot on net was popped in by Mixy, the eventual game winner. The desperation and exhausting of Hawk Auto crept in more and more as the third period was winding down. With two minutes left, Kaner Jr. would score unassisted and on a breakaway for his fifth goal of the game. At that point, HawkAuto pulled their goalie. Mixy had an open net opportunity but threw the puck wide. However, he got second attempt soon afters and did not miss this time, his second in two games.
Much could be said about HawkAuto.com being at a disadvantage against the Red Liners because of the smaller bench. However, their seven skaters encompass the top 9 scorers of their team. The Red Liners were not worried about this matchup. They created a plan and executed it. With that win, they move to the top of the C2 South Division by admirably defeating the 2nd-4th, and 7th seeded teams. Their next two games are against low ranked teams (The Cones and The Americans). They hope to continue their winning ways by not taking any team lightly.