What a Game! What a Night! SoxDaveur!

Schlitz (4) vs Cadavers (3)

Thursday October 16th

Brockton 9:00pm

Schlitz 3

Cadavers 2

Well well well dear friend and wander of the digital darkness, the Blogger is glad you stopped by today because have I got a story for you. I've got a tale of the Daveur, a gem of a game, and a night that had a lil something extra, even if it happend after the hockey was finished.

Last night the collective Schlidaveurs took the ice in the City of Champions to sort out the tale of 'daveur number 2 for the winter 09 season.

The teams, hastiliy tossed together late in the day by a couple of guys here at world headquarters (picked from a list of names), turned out to be very evenly matched. Special thanks to Greg Koytiger (Schlitz) and Ethan Karp (Cads) for helping out with this process. Jim Sullivan was unable to show and Matt Kilroy would take to the nets for the Cadavers but he was fronted by an impressive Defensive Corps that would be plenty of a match for the offensive powers assembled on the gold side. The rosters looked like this.

Cadavers

Matt in Net,

Defense: DWH and Daley; George and Stephan

Offense: Roman, Kevin Fitz, Carl Schiller, Dr.Pounds, Reynolds, Chuck, and John Carey (Brian's son... I hope his name is John)

Schlitz

Brian in Net,

Defense: Valenti and Pearlman; Jeff and Hammitt

Offense: Larry, Nelson, iJosh, Matvey, Parker (late arrival), Gregson, Chris

Clearly, as you can see, there was an impresive Gold offense vs Red defense matchup going on here and it lived up to the expectation. The game would be a tight match from the start to finish and saw big time effort on both sides. The blogger tips his hat to everyone who strapped on skates last night. Nothing was given. Everything was earned.

The first period started fast. There were good chances at both ends and both goaltenders had a chance to get into the flow of the game. The Gold held a decided advantage getting lots of time in the Red end but really few good scoring chances. The Red D was just smothering. They seemed to step up and move the play off whenever necessary and continually made clearing passes that found the mark. The Gold showed nice effort working the zone and continuing to try and generate chances that werent coming easy. The first ended 0-0. Hammitt took a penalty early in the first and was the only call of the period.

There would be no penalties in the Second period at all... but there would be some scoring.

The the 12 and a half minute mark the Gold were doing a good job keeping the play in the Red end. Billy Pearlman did a nice job holding the play in, then moving and firing a nice shot that bounced off of Kirloy. Matt Elliot was right there and popped the rebound home and put the Schlitz on the board 1-0.

After that goal the momentum of the game changed dramatically. Suddenly the Red were the ones getting multiple chances and doing a nice job holding the pressure in the Gold end. This trend would continue into the closing minutes of the period.

Then Roman Kurin would take a puck and rush up the right side into the Gold zone. Jeff came over and picked him up and even took a few hacks at him to keep him outside but to no avail. The Rushin er.. Russian held the puck and charged ahead taking the play around the back of the net, Jeff pathetically hanging on but not able to knock the puck away, then threw a shot at Brian's pads that bounced right off the side/back of the goalies pad and into the net for the equalizer. A nice play by Roman and a fortunate bounce for sure. The period would end 1-1.

The Cadavers would continue to build on the momentum they had gained by tieing the game up late in the second. It wasn't more than a handfull of minutes into the third when again the Red set up with good pressure. This time there was a scramble in front of Brian, who made a quick save on a close shot. The puck squirted out and behind the left side of the net to Roman who threw it back out to the low slot and the scrum of players there. The puck came right to Jeff who tried to get a stick on it, and did, but to horrible result as it deflected right into the net giving the Red a 2-1 lead. Roman for his second unassisted of the night.

The Gold was far from done though and there is no question that the effort dial got turned up on the Schlitz bench after that goal. Guys like Larry, Nelson, iJosh and Parker were pressing hard and it is a true tribute to the work of the Red D pairings that they were just unable to get many good shots on Kilroy. Time and again they were turned away.There had been one call on iJosh at some point during the middle part of the period and yellow had a solid pk.

Now with less than 10 minutes in the game the Gold would get something going. Mike Hammitt would keep the puck deep in the Red end as he pinched, staying late on his shift. He worked a shot on Kilroy who made the save. Matvey picked it up and passed back to Mike about 12 feet away who took the shot. The puck was kind of a wobbler but made it past Kilroy and tied the game up again. I think Hammitt heard someone say "the net giggled when it hit..." or something to that effect. Regarless.... with time running down to five minutes and below the game was even 2-2.

So let that soak in for a sec. That says something on a couple of issues. Think about the game that Kilroy had turned in as the sub goalie playing in net for the first time in many months. Think about what it says for the Red D corps to hold Larry, Nelson, iJosh, Parker and Chris (just to name a few...) to zero points in the game. Think about how well our two Roster pickers did while... ah... not having a clue. Ok I'll stop... I think you get the point. It was a good game.

So now we come to the end of the game. The Gold and Red pressing. The Red D were rushing more, trying to make something happen on offense. Both teams got chances and both goalies played well.

Then with 1:45 on the clock Jeff Fosdick saw an opportunity and stepped up in the neutral zone. Picking up the puck he raced into the zone for one of the games only breakaways. I'm telling you he could feel the Goat Horns on his helmet dissapearing as he rushed to the net and fired a wrister that BEAT KILROY GLOVE SIDE !!! ... but that sound... that whistle just as he shot.... what... was that? Jeff circles the net, hands in the air, then realizes to his utter dismay that the play has been whistled dead.... a result of matching penalties to George and LARRY who were taking hacks at each other at the blue line. Jeff was... um.... displeased. The Goat horns returned to his helmet as he threw his stick into the bench then went there to sulk and suck air.

The game continued with George and Larry in the box, the clock winding down. Right about the minute mark, Marc Valenti would come up HUGE for the Gold. Marc would let a slapper rip from "Way Down Town" which was about two steps inside the red line. The shot was a laser that beat Kilroy and officially put the Gold ahead. Marc would say later in the parking lot; " I knew it was a good one beacuse I didn't feel the puck when I swung through." Sweet.

The Zombies would pull Matt and created some excellent chances as the clock ran out but were unable to get anything past Brian and the Schlitz would win the game 3-2. Whew!

The teams would re-assemble in the parking lot for the fourth period and to check on the misterable fate of the Red Sox who, when last we checked (iJosh brought a radio to the bench) were down 5-0. Kudos to iJosh, Dr. Pounds and Marc Reynolds for the cold adult beverages enjoyed in the parking lot. Before we go on, lets do....

Game Stars

3rd Star: Mike Hammitt. Kind of a dark horse pick, but he did a great job all night for the Gold. Mike had a terrific play that led to his own goal to tie the game up. Also, after the early penalty Mike didn't have any other incidents with the men in stripes which really helped. Good work.

2nd Star: Roman Kurin. Have to give it to the man with a pair of goals. They all look good on the score sheet. Nice job Roman.

1st Star: Marc Valenti. The man with the Cannon from the point. Nice job on the game winner and all night on the Gold blueline. Marc had an excellent night all around.

Honorable Mention 1: Matt Kilroy. The CEO BMF in the pipes for a great effort. Matty always gives whatever he has for both teams and last night was no exception. Thanks.

Honorable Mention 2: Really could have been the 3rd Star... the Cads Defensive Corps. Stephan Wennik, George Moorachian, Dan Herbert, and Mike Daley. Just outstanding effort and play all night long. This might well be the best 4 D we've ever put on the ice at the same time. Just ask any of the guys that played offense for the Gold last night.

IOU: Jeff to Larry after the game... "You owe me a game winning goal you bastard." You aren't officially getting the Coon... but I just happend to have this image....

Overheard in the Parking Lot: Jeff to Hammitt: "I think we played pretty well". Hammitt shruggs and smiles. Jeff says: "I mean... except for the two goals they scored on us... "

So... let me continue the story of last night for just a few more graphs, if none of you mind....

The Blogger got into the car just after 11pm after the fourth was winding down. The radio had the Sox game still on and just as I pulled out of the parking lot Dustin Pedroia put the Sox on the board for the first time in the bottom of the sixth. Ok... maybe I'll listen for a little longer I think as I get on the highway.

By the time I had stopped at the BK on rte 24 and got on 495 south Papi hit his 3 run shot to make the game 7-4. Now the crowd was getting into it. Joe Castig and Dale were starting to get worked up and you could hear Fenway coming to life.

I was getting close to home when JD Drew lauched "The 14 Million Dollar Home Run" Part II to bring the Sox within one. Then as I zipped along the canal road Coco had his EPIC 10 pitch at bat that resulted in his awesome double that tied the game. I could hear Fenway rocking and was beeping the horn as I went.

I got home, unpacked my stuff and let the dogs out and by the time I turned the tv on it was already the bottom of the 9th with one out...

Well you know what happened next. Youk gets on, they walk Bay, and J.D. BLEEPIN DREW comes through again. Maybe it should be the 7 Million Dollar 2 run homer, and the 7 Million Dollar single that saved the Sox and sent the ALCS back to Tampa.

Nothing like a little Sox October Magic to spice up the ride home I always say.

Way to go Sox. God... does this mean I have to like Drew now?

A good night by all.
I would be really interested to hear any of your stories about how you listened/watched the game last night. Please add your tale, however short in the comments. It only takes a sec and you dont have to sign up for anything. 'come on.... lets hear it.