Suds Fall Again. Lose to Tigers 3-2.

Schlitz(2) vs Tigers
Monday 10/8
10:30pm UMass

3-2 Loss.


The Suds fell again last night, but not without putting up a hell of a fight against the tireless Tigers. On a tough Columbus Day Monday night at UMass the Suds (9 devoted skaters after a few last minute drop outs) the Schlitz gave all they had but just couldn't put the feisty Tigers away. The Game was a good match up for the Suds despite having only 3 Defense men (DWH, Pearlman, and Jeff) and featured Mad Matt Kilroy (hmm... Chairman of the board... Chairman of the Pipes/Crease.... how about CEG... Chief Executive Goalie) in his first start this season between the pipes.
Matt was the real hero of this one. He was originally not scheduled to skate but when he got the message that OEJ couldn't make it, he changed his plans, drove to Foxboro to pick up the goalie equipment, then all the way back in for that lovely start time at our favorite rink. You the man Matty... a true team playa. Dude was solid in net all night. He only let up 3 none of which you really could say were "soft". The first two were guys left alone within 6 feet of the net, and the third was deflected off Jeff's stick as it came in (... the 'Coon is starting to edge closer and closer to Jeff's bag... but can't seem to commit...) and went through. We couldn't have asked for anything more. Matt was solid when he needed to be and kept us in a very tight game.
That being said the Suds had tons of chances in the Kitty's end. Shot after shot banged off their goalie, who was very solid despite giving up so many rebounds. The tale of the night was that the Gold just couldn't finish. The first line of Chris, Larry and Deb regularly worked well together, and Deb had several good takeaways and defensive point covers that were excellent. The second line also played well with Roman, Mike Jasse, and Dr.Pounds.
Chris Fosdick got the Suds off to the right kind of start as he scored (from DWH) a mere 3 minutes into the first period. Things looked good for the Gold, we were getting chances and skating well. The Tigers answered about 10 minutes later as they scored on a scramble in front of Kilroy.
The Tigers then scored twice in the second the first on a bang bang no cover of the guy right on the side... and then the fateful deflection from Jeff's stick later in the period.
You have to give it to the Suds. There was no shortage of Pride and Guts as the Schlitz peppered the Tigers for most of the 3rd period. Larry eventually broke through (unassisted) on a takeaway that involved him circling through the traffic in the offensive zone then finding a home for the puck and the Suds were back within one... but they wouldn't get any closer.
We did have 2 penalties but given the J*ck-off Ref (kind of a Rick Moranis type.. but fat) that loves us... it could have been a lot worse.
Time after time the Gold got chances... but came up short. Hell... we even pulled Matt in the closing minute but the Sudsy Six couldn't make it happen. Good game, hard fought... not the desired result.
So no game stars other than to Matt without whom it would have been a really lost cause.
No real post-game as there was no beer-man (management apologises but reminds you... if you'd like to be sure there is beer... bring some) but there was some nice Book club discussions lead by Billy Pearlman. Thanks.

Overheard in the parking lot: "I can't believe we failed the fourth period..." Dr. Pounds.