Zombies continue to slide against Sparta

Cadavers (9) vs Spartans
Thursday July 14
HinghamC 10:30pm

3-2 loss


The Dead in Red faced the talented Spartans in Green last night in Hingham in a late evening game for a chance to put a stop to the recent 3 game skid. The streak comes after the great success in the early going that saw the team open 5 and 0. That seems like a long time ago now, and the Spartans would be a tough match up (given our recent train wreck beating at their hands) to “get off the schnide”.
The Cads had a full 13 slated and a nice group of players, even with Nelson and Bauer showing fashionably late for the puck drop. The team was once again haunted by missing equipment troubles as Mitch discovered he was short 1 shinny.
This realization had a funny reveal as while he was explaining his situation to Capt. George there was a short ebb in the conversation. Mitch was heard to say “I’ve got the big one.” as he knocked twice on his cup. Of course we knew he was talking about his most important piece of equipment… wait… never mind.
So we lost a skater in the pregame again (last time it was Scott) and went to war with 12 after the late arrivals made it to the bench. Mitch didn’t seem too troubled… this just meant he could have a little longer ride home in his new Mustang. (sweet ride dude)
Here is your final roster.
Jon (leaving for Nevada next week…sob…) Cole in Net.
D1: George and Bauer
D2: Campbell and Jeff
Centers: Larry and Baker
Wings: Matvey and Roman; Greggy and Scott; Nelson and Parker

The Spartans are clearly and experienced and talented group but I’m happy to report that the Red played up to the task most of the night and kept the game close. The first period would see action at both ends, both keepers doing a solid job in the early going.
It was clear that the Red would have to keep a close eye on a few guys, number 20 in particular had ridiculous wheels and they had no trouble getting odd man or breakaway chances from time to time.
Larry would go for a trip as he hauled a streaking forward down on his way to Jon at just under 9 minutes. After a line change and faceoff to Jon’s right the Spartans made a nice series of passes and a shot that put them up 1-0. Jeff looked up to see Mitch shaking his head slowly behind the end board glass then turned to D partner Campbell who said “Wait… we were shorthanded?”. That’s kind of how that one went.
Unfortunately a fumbled line change would lead to a breakaway for Green and they would score on the chance to go up 2-0 with about 2 and half minutes left. The good news was only that Red continued to stick with it and didn’t lose it completely before the period break.

The Second period would see a revival by the hard working Zombie crew. Led by strong efforts all the way around. The forwards did nice work cycling in the Green end and D did a solid job snuffing out Green chances in the neutral zone before they got cooking.
Some of that hard work would pay off about 5 minuets into the frame when Larry would send a play to Matvey who would bury the chance and cut the Green lead in half.

Campbell would go a minute or two later for a mild molestation of a forward that was free wheeling in the zone. No blood on the PK though this time.
Mr. Campbell would make up for his penalty on the next shift he made the ice. Mike would take the puck in our end and barreling up ice would make a nice rush into the zone and let go a shot. Nelson, doing his typical muck and grind routine in front would bang home the rebound from the shot and the game was tied. No question Zombie pride was in effect and the Red got a little jump being back in the game.
Unfortunately before the end of the period Green would strike back on a long shot that kind of ham-strung Jon and sneaked in under him and the second would end with Team Zombie behind by a goal again.
The third would see a pair of penalties for Green in the first 6-7 minutes but the Cads couldn’t seem to get the offense into high gear. The Spartans were doing a good job all night squashing things before they made it to their keeper.
Baker’s scouting report on the keeper was deadly accurate… if only we all had the wrist shots to take advantage…
Under 5 minutes Bauer would go in a matching penalty situation after tangling with his Green counterpart. The Zombies would pull Jon in the final minute and a half, and would get a pair of good chances as they were able to hold it pretty well in the Green end. Despite the chances this one would end up a hard fought one goal loss against a pretty good team.

The fourth period would be sponsored by Eric Bauer and the Harpoon sampler… and its always a pleasant hang in the Hingham lot in the Summer, a full moon through thin clouds above.

So the season opening 5-0 has now been followed by 0-4 and the team heads towards 500. Next up will be SLJ (no slouches) next week at BU.
See you then.