Playoff heroes fall short. The Cads go down in OT Thriller!

Cadavers vs. Scapegoats
Playoff Game 1
Canton Sportsplex
Thursday Aug. 23
10:40pm

5-4 *Overtime* Loss

I'm here to tell you, dear reader of the blog, that last night was a grinder of a game, and everything you'd expect from the playoffs. A very tight and chippy game against a solid opponent that saw a lot of heart from all of the skating dead. What looked to be a long night at the start turned ever so slowly into a grinding uphill climb by the Cads to pull even with the 'Goats in the end. At several points during the evening this game threatend to boil over, with lots of "extra-stuff" going on at both ends of the ice. There aren't many guys that wore red last night that won't be looking for #19, #16 and the guy in the grey shirt, the next time the 'Goats number comes up. This game had a physical nature that really cranked up the intensity for everyone.

Things didn't look so great as the 'Goats jumped out to an early lead slipping two past our Grim Keeper Lizzy, the first 2 1/2 minutes in and the second 3 minutes after that. They had some good players, no doubt, but not a lot of them. The Zombies were looking at a significant hill to climb just 6 minutes into the first. Things started to get back under control as the Red showed some grit and finnaly broke through with 7 min left in the period. The first goal was a thing of beauty in the "hard work pays off" scheme of things. Nelson Sharfman held the puck on the goal line, shedding defenders, managed to get the puck to Mike Hammitt who unleashed a shot that Chris Fosdick neatly collected and put past the keeper. The Zombies were back in business.

The grind continued well into the second with the Red getting more chances and staring to hold down the 'Goats who were starting to wear down with only 3 subs on the bench. Nelson came through with another goal to tie the game at the 12 minute mark of the second, this time on consecutive rebounds from Jeff Fosdick and Hammitt.

Before the second period was done the 'Goats hit paydirt again to take back the lead with just under 3 minutes left. 3-2 Goats after two.

At this point things were escalating on the ice as the 'Goats started showing some desperation. Several "meetings" on the ice became...pointed. The Cads served 2 penaltys in the first, iJosh Greenstein and George Moorachain, for a Rough and a Highstick and then 1 in the second, Jeff Fosdick with an Unsportsmanlike Conduct.

The third period got even more contentious and the 'Goats scored again to go up by 2 with 12 minutes remaining. The Zombies ran into some familiar penalty trouble when Hammitt went with a double minor at 7 min. and then Kevin Parker (finally snapping after recieving a number of cheap shots) went with 6 minutes remaining. The 'Goats would have a 5-3 for a full 1:30. Gut check time for the Cads. What followed can only be desribed as Zombie Pride. Lizzy makes a tremendous save on one of their better players and the penalties were killed.
Here is a on-ice description of the play: "we gave up an odd man rush - 1 on 0, down the left side they came, and went across the net, she stayed right with them, and made the save with her stick, her body and her left leg, as they came across. If she misses that save, and they score, it would've been ovah."

Almost immediately after the PK's iJosh scores a huge goal (from Nelson and Jeff) with 4 minutes left. You could feel the 'Goats growing concern. The zombies had not only crept back in the game but into thier heads.

As time wound down the Zombies called time with just under a minute in the game. After winning the faceoff at center ice the Red charged the zone and Lizzy came to the bench. Chris jumped into the play and the Zombies held the puck in a started to get chances as the seconds ticked away. Then Nelson hit the promised land on another rebound goal from Matt Kilroy and Mike Campbell this time. The clock read 9.7 sec. Zombie Pride, 'Goat frustration.

The Zebras let us know we would play a 5 min overtime followed by shootout if needed. The night wasn't over yet. Unfortunately it didn't have much longer to go. The 'Goats gained an opportunity in the Zombie end and then the Zebras called (yes in OT...) George for a crosscheck just a minute twenty into the OT. Geore was tied up with a 'Goat in front and suddenly the refs felt the responsibility to get things under control. About 20 seconds later the 'Goats ended it on a rebound that Lizzy had no shot on. It was over. A great effort that just fell short in the end.

Honorable Mentions... we'll skip the stars as routine with a loss.

HM 1: George Moorachain for his pregame "chaulk talk" and his general hustle all night. He seemed to be everywhere.

HM 2: Lizzy. I know she'd like to have a couple back but she played great when it counted and kept us in this one until the end. Great job.

HM 3: Mike Campbell. Despite his rep' as having "taken liberties" with Lady Bing, stayed out of the box all night and played great physically while staying out of trouble.

HM 4: Nelson Sharfman. He has played awesome down the streach, and like a true Veteran last night. There seems to be no end to his hard work and grinding and its showing in the scoresheet, not just the corners and in front. Another 4 point night, 2 goals and 2 assists. Excellent effort.


Ok thats it. The Blogger is tired, sore, and is currently, as you read this, looking for a storage closet to take a nap in. I leave you with this....


Some Goat-tracks from last night ...and no that's not a 6-pack, its the Schlidaveur 12. (extra lbs. that is)