Zombies survive the Shock!

Cadavers (P2) vs Shock

Monday August 25

Canton 9:30pm

5-4 Win

Big playoff showdown at home rink Canton against the Shock last night. This is a team we have had some success against so spirits were high going into the game in the pregame lockerroom. There was lively banter and some colorful comments by Lizzy which showed she was ready to go and get playoff win number two for the Dead in Red. The Red were joined by Captain George, filling in for Capt Campbell, and Mike Jasse filling in for Matt Elliott. So there was a full 13 in the Zombie sweaters ready to take on the Shock. Here are the breakdowns.

D Pairs Capt.George and Pearlman, and Valenti and Jeff.

Offense: Jim Sullivan centered Parker and Jasse. Roman centered the Dux Duo Capraro and Reynolds. then iJosh centered Ken and Scott.

Lizzy in the Pipes. Mom & Dad in the stands.

The Shock had some niffty unis sporting a white galaxy (lighting?) on the front of an old Buffalo Sabers jersey, Blue with the small gold stripes. They didn’t have as many players as the Red but seemed to have some decent talent and honestly they came out buzzing.

The Shock proceeded to take the game right to the overconfident skating dead and had some chances early. The Red went on the attack but Jeff made a bad play at the offensive blue line and the Shock took the rush all the way down. In the fast scramble of players getting back the Shock skater moved around the net and buried a wraparound that put the Galaxybolts up 1-0 just 1 minute into the game. The Cadavers were still very confident but not happy to be behind.

The Zombies were able to move the puck a little and got some good action right away in the Shock zone but nothing broke. Instead on another bad pass from Jeff, this time a turnover in our own end results in another close Shock shot that beats Lizzy and the Red were bumming. Now down 2-0 the Zombies went to work.
All three forward lines were able to create pressure, and to play in the Blue end over the next few minutes. Clearly the red had more skaters on the ice and the bench and should be fine, but the scoreboard said otherwise. Shots came in groups but nothing fell until Marc Valenti made a pass to Jeff Fosdick in the neutral zone. Intent on redemption for his first to shifts (-2) Jeff tapped the puck forward through the clogged neutral zone. The Shock D got crossed up as Jeff’s momentum carried him through them and into the zone. He continued to barrel right down in front and slammed a 5-hole shot home to get the Zombies on the board at 8:45. Back to -1 for Jeff.

Only one minute later the first line offense would join the fray. Hard working Kevin Parker kept the play going down low, then fed Sully who fed a wide open Jasse who popped it home for the game tying tally. Things were getting a bit better on the Zombie bench as the momentum had clearly shifted into our favor.

Before the period was out Sully would capitalize on a Valenti rebound and bury the go-ahead goal with 1:22 remaining. Still we would go to the second after a very close played first period 3-2.

The second period would be a grinder as it usually is. The Cadavers continued to get decent pressure but the Shock were playing for their chances and took them from time to time when the opportunities were there. They had several 2-1 situations that Lizzy came up big on with some key stops. The Red were still confident but the one goal lead remained only 1 for better than 10 minutes. Then at 6:45 remaining the Shock got another odd man rush that Lizzy made the save on. This time the rebound rattled around and in the scramble the Red couldn’t clear. A turnover and the Shock buried the 3^rd chance and tied the game. We were back to serious faces on the Red bench and clearly in a game.

The Zebras were going with the playoff theme and kept the whistles in their pockets the entire night with only one exception. The Shock took a penalty in the 3^rd for the only call, in a game that did have pleanty of “give and take”.
The forwards were feelign it for sure as they worked the low part of the zone. Sullivan and the boys would come through to break the tie again with less than 30 seconds in the period when Sully put home another one from Jasse and Parker. Still into the third we went 4-3 and a closer game than we had bargained for.

The Red didn’t get much going on the power play but continued with good effort up and down the lineup. Mad Russian Roman Kurin would then make a rush and working a pass from Pete landed a nifty shot for a 5-3 lead with 8:47 remaining in the game. The Red felt better again, but knew they weren’t out of the woods. The chances would still come for both sides despite the Zombies deliberately trying to kill the game clock shuttling it down the ice every chance they had.

Still the Shock, who deserve a ton of credit for their effort all night, wouldn't go quietly. With 12 seconds in the game, after chasing around in our own end the Shock tallied another goal to pull within one. There were some tense moments, but despite the guys in Blue taking the extra attacker the Red killed the final seconds and went away with a nice playoff win.

So the Cads move to 2-0 in the summer playoffs with a critical game in 2 weeks against the Double Runners. The Cads can, with a win, get into the Championship game for the second season in a row. But, before the Blogger gets ahead of himself....

Game Stars

3rd Star: Marc Valenti, and George Moorachian. These guys were solid on D all night. It was nice to have George's legs in the game. Valenti had a pair of assists while George's hard work went unnoticed again by the zebras. Good job both of you.

2nd Star: Kevin Parker (2 assists) and Mike Jasse (goal and an assist) These guys were buzzing around the zone and the Shot net all night long. Parker has a motor that won't quit and Jasse had a nice goal to tie the game in the early going when things looked sketchy. A good night all around, thanks boys.

1st Star: Jim Sullivan. 2 goals, both that broke a tie to put the Red back in front. Sully had another typical great game for him and even threw in an assist to round out the e point night. Great work with the offense Jim, you are always an asset. Must have been inspired... his wife and family were in the house... but the rumor has it that she didn't see the goals...doh!

Honorable Mention1: Roman for his niffty goal... scored while Jeff was still yelling at him for a soft play in the neutral zone. Good work all night by the Radical Russian. Sounds like his other team has been doing well, so he is clearly looking to finish strong.

Honorable Mention2: Billy for the Patented Pearlman Power Slide. Bill came across the zone late in the game and flopped on the ice smothering a Blue opportunity, and tying the puck up in the corner.

Honorable Mention3: Jeff Fosdick for the rumblin bumblin momentum turning first goal...even though I still think he ended up -1 for the night...

Overheard in the Parking Lot: "I dont get what this means" says Roman, reffering to the "shocker" hand signal (all fingers but the ring extended). "I don't know why don't you ask your Mom..." replies Dr. Pounds.