Spartans suppress Beercan uprising.

Cadavers (17) vs Spartans

Thursday January 22nd

Canton 10:20 

5-4 Loss

Tough night for the Dead in Red against division rival the Spartans in Canton. Twas a cold dark night, the kind of heart of the winter that makes you not want to go outside. The blogger, baffled by a Harry Angstrom-like haze, navigated his way to the game. Much thanks, I think, to Dr. Jasse for the pleasant company and stimulating literary conversation. I don't know if it helped or not, but i had other things on my mind, and the skating did me good. 

The blogger arrived to find another good room full of happy Zombies. We would eventually fill out a full roster 13 but not until about the middle of the first. Here's your lineup.

D1: DWH, Daley

D2: George, Jeff

O1: Nelson, Douville, Parker

O2: Roman, Matvey, Gregson

O3: iJosh, Mitch, and, ... and, ... oh crap I have no idea. Maybe we only had 12. 

So the Spartans had their usual group. The chap with the Red helmet, good hands, not so fast but dont let him shoot, #16 or 6 was it had good legs and speed and was also a deadly shot. This is a crew we've seen many a time. Given our numbers the mantra game plan of short shifts, hard work and smart play was in order for this one and the Dead in Red did their best to execute that plan. 

The game started not so well as the Mean Green would pot a bang-bang chance less than a minute into the game. Clearly we couldn't let their better players move too much with the puck. The Red would knuckle down and you could feel the momentum start to come the way of the Dead... but after 10 minutes of hard work the Green would land another one on a breakaway this time (number 16 for his second of the game) at 5 and half remaining. The first would end with Team Zombie killing off a tripping call to Nelson with 2 minutes left. Good kill, but we were still down 2-0 after one.

The second would be only marginally kinder to the Red as they would finally break through just 2 minutes into the period. While taking the play to the Green, Roman (from Nelson and Douville) wound his way through heavy traffic at the top of the zone, then executed the "Russian Lullabye" to perfection. Every player in the zone seemed to slow down and watch as Roman held, held, held the puck then sent a nice wrister through the screen and into the net. The Red had a bit of a bump but it was short lived as the Spartans would answer only 3 minutes later with another hard work goal of their own. During this stretch the Red have a bunch of chances including an epic 3 on 0 that we... uh... didn't score on. The Spartan keeper was on it for sure. To make things worse old friend 16 was back at teh 7 minute mark to put the Zombies in a 4-1 hole. Pile onto that Matvey going to the box after taking one in the chops during a little give and take in front of the Spartan net. The Red would kill it, again and would keep working despite being down 3 as we went into the 3rd.

Its not often i get to write this, so savor it when you get there... ok? The Third Period belonged without a doubt to Team Zombie. The effort and desire, dare I say Zombie Pride, was racheted up a few notches and the boys went to work. Less than 3 minutes in the Green would take a whistle and the Red would go on the Power Play. Moments later George would unleash a slap shot (from Douville) that would go a long way through the screen and into the net for the second Zombie goal. The Green would go again just a minute later for a rough and the Red would keep up the pressure on the power play but not score. Roman would be the next to tally as he would get his second (from DWH) at the nine minute mark to put us down only 1 at 4-3. Roman did well all night and seemed to find the net at just the right time. This momentum was snapped when after a breakdown the Green would land another goal with 6:44 remaining. 

Again I have to say the effort continued and the Cadavers took the game right back to the Green despite the setback. George would strike with just under 5 minutes remaining, this time unassisted, but from the same spot at the right point. The Zombies were back within one and continued to press the game to the Spartans. Unfortunately the Green just had a bit more than we did in those closing minutes as we struggled to mount an attack as time ran out and the Spartans preserved the victory 5-4. A good skate for all and a good effort if not for the unsatisfying ending. Indeed the night was just that... unsatisfying. 

Game Stars

3rd Star: Ken "when do I get a number" Douville. A pair of helpers and some good hard work from this strong Rookie of the year candidate.

 

2nd Star: Captain George. Good hard work and no lack of verbal encouragement from the Captain on this night. 2 nice goals and a steadying hand all night at the blue line.

1st Star: Gotta be the Russian Lullabye Roman Kurin. Two tremendous goals and a little bit of spunk when going after the puck. Atta boy Roman. Keep up the good work. 

Honorable Mention 1 : D pair 1. Mike Daley and DWH just bring it all the time. DWH had two ridiculous rushes in the second period where it seemed like he would skate around everyone in the Spartan end, and Daley is just awesome. Mike held the puck and worked it in the offensive zone like nobody's business and not only squashed a bunch of green chances but created a bucket full of his own. Great work.

Honorable Mention 2: Lizzy did a good job holding it together. I mean, you wouldn't know that from the stream of profanity that she dealt out in the post-game locker-room (mostly in defense of Matvey).... but there wasn't too much she could have done about a bunch of their chances and she did a solid job on the outside shots all night. Good work... and take it easy Liz.