Zombie Suds Win Shootout with 'Runners

Schlitz (12) vs Double Runners
August 9th
Bavis 10:30

7-6 Win.

Well, we should have known that this was not going to be your average night at the rink when while dressing we couldn't decide which team we were supposed to be. Red? Yellow? Whatever. The three guys already half dressed had the red socks on, so red it was. The Suds skated as the Zombies and took the ice with 11 against our old friends the 'Runners. They didn't have a lot of guys, six I think was their total, so the early signs looked good. As we all know however... looks can be decieving. The Runners had no shortage of effort and tenacity as they responded very well to our first goal by promptly turning the tables and scoring 2 to put us down. Now we had to play from behind.
Our first was scored by Mike Jasse who was well on his way to a career night. He worked very well with linemates (and scoring leaders) Kevin Parker (assist on first goal) and Larry Bell. The second line of Jeff Fosdick, Scott Pounds, Mike Hammitt and Matt Kilroy (rotating), was not nearly as productive but got in some excellent "grinding" and "checking".
Later in the first Jasse scored again to tie the game on a helper from Billy Pearlman. This was not long lived as the 'Runners came right back and put another one by our gal Liz to put us down 3-2 at the end of the first.
The second period was much more of the same as the shootout really came to life. Billy Pearlman scored to tie the game at 3-3 (assist Larry) and the mood was good on the Zombie...err Suds bench. Nice touch from the point and great cycling by that first line to move the puck around and get chances. Unfortunately this was short lived as well. The 'Runners were able to go ahead again right away, then to make matters worse scored a second to go up 5-3 a few minutes later.
Concern was growing on the bench. Down by 2 more than halfway through to a team with 6 guys... wasn't looking great. During the course of the second the Suds struggled with a grip on the game and two penalties ensued. Mike Hammitt got a 4 min major on a nice takedown of the whiney guy with the old blue helmet. The Runners second goal that period came as the time was expiring on this penalty. Not long after Billy Pearlman got the hook on an interferece (rub out) move.
The Suds must have felt a little of the Zombie pride thanks to those sharp red shirts because thats where we dug in and started our climb back. The Pearlman penalty was well killed with a strong effort from the D and second line.... and then we got back in the game.
With time running down we gained a draw in the offensive zone. Lots of yelling to line up and get a chance as the clock ticked down under 20...18 seconds. Larry was able to win the draw and through a scrum the puck made it out to Pearlman who buried it and gave us some momentum going into the third.
The third period continued with the drama. The first line went out for their first shift and produced 3 goals. That's right kids. We took them from 5-4 and put them down 7-5 in a matter of a couple minutes. Goals by Larry Bell (from Mike Campbell), and then 2 more from Dr. Jasse (Parker, Bell and Greg James assists) put us on top and feeling pretty good about things as the period went on.
The 'Runners showed thier stuff and played great down to the end scoring once more to come within 1 and then getting a power play with under 4 minutes on a call on Campbell. The got some good chances but the team defence paid off and the Suds were able to take this one home to much satisfaction.
Nice job to all players for a great come from behind win. Everyone brought it and contributed in what some folks in the parking lot were calling their "favorite game of the year".
Good showing in the Parking lot for the 4th period. We even had a couple of fans. Point of interest were the Jello Shots brought by Kevin Manning. Sweet!
Big Fan Honors go out to (in no particular order): Crystal (I'm so bored I came to hockey) Cormier, and Miran (you have to ask for the cookies) James, and of course Lizzy's folks. Thanks for coming and cheering us on. It really does feel good to have people there pulling for you.
Crystal even took some photos of the game. Unfortunately she was supplied with a camera that had dead batteries so she was only able to get a couple. Blogger's bad on that one. Thanks anyway Crystal next time we'll get it right. Here is the best one from her small batch.

Game Stars.
3rd Star: Larry Bell. Laurence continues his domination atop the leaderboard (stats to come...) with a nice 3 point night (1 goal, 2 assist). Larry was buzzing around the offensive zone all night making things happen.
2nd Star: Billy Pearlman. A great night for Billy... must have been that #4 jersey we gave him before the game. Channeling the greats... whatever works. Billy had 2 great goals from the point and added an assist (and a penalty) to round out the night.


1st Star: Dr. Mike Jasse with 4 goals. A great night for the travelin' man cleaning up the "stuff" out front, gettin our first two and last two including the game winner. Excellent finish and good job working with the first line. Cheers.

Overheard in the Parking Lot:
Beavis: "I learned something tonight... I learned that you play well when you're angry or horny."
Butthead: "If I played well whenever I was horny, I'd never play bad."