New-look Suds romp El Tigre!

Schlitz (2) vs Tigers

Monday 10/3

Canton 10:10pm

8-2 Win

The Golden Beercans faced old friend El Tigre last night in Canton for the second game of the Winter season. This was a short notice affair, with the league only getting the schedule up late Friday… however the Suds answered the call and while we only had 9… at least we had 9. Better yet, it was apparently the right 9 to get the job done as the Suds basically took the Tigers apart piece by piece, picking the body bare by the end of the night.

We haven’t seen the Tigers since early in the Summer when we were racking up wins against the lower  D division (that sounded weird) teams. This night was similar. The New-Look Suds were not to be messed with and hung a good one on the guys in Red once we got going.

Here’s your breakdown:

Randy (on the spot) Dudek in Net

D: Bauer, George, and Jeff

O1: Baker, Jared, and Josh Bittker

O2: Sully, Parker, and Nelson

The first few shifts, every one got situated, and the late arrivals made their way out to the bench during the opening minutes. It was clear from the start we would be in pretty good shape with a decent effort against these guys. Their Captain (8 with pants) wasn’t around and it looked like they were light a forward or two.

The Gold didn’t get around to making things happen until later in the period. Josh Bittker would go for a trip at the 5 minute mark. The penalty passed without trouble and then Kevin Parker would put the first one home for the Gold, the assist coming… are you ready… from Steve Baker. This was with just under 2 minutes.

End one, 1-0 Schlitz.

The Cans would waste no time at all pouring it on as the second opened. Sully would open the period with the first of several scoring plays of the night. Working from Josh B, to Nelson back over to Sully he would press to the net and working the 2 on 1 with Nelson took what the Keeper gave him (low left side) and scored for the 2-0 lead.

Baker would be next, just 2 minutes later, when he would take the play from Josh B, to Jared then to Steve who popped it home and just like that it was 3-0. Jared was all over the place in a lot of ways, his terrific hands and smooth stride just seems to help so much controlling the play. He had a great night, but only made the scoresheet on this goal.

Nelson would be next as he would take the return favor pass from Sully and with 13 minutes left in the 2^nd we were up 4-0. That line of Sully, Nelson and Parker really did some great grind it out work in the offensive zone all night long.

In fact some of that work came just a minute later when Sully would again score on a nice bang-bang play from Nelson and it was 5-0.
Parker would take a seat a few minutes later after a meeting with number 25 in the slot. No trouble with the pk though and that line was back at it again soon.

Sully would land his hat trick goal from Kevin and Nelson at 4:30 remaining and at this point Sully had enough scoring that the blogger has completely lost track of how they all went down.

The Tigers would show that they wouldn’t go without something said on their behalf and would score twice in the last 2 and a half minutes of the period. We were clearly letting off the accelerator and they turned it pretty quick when we went soft.

So after 2 periods, things looked pretty “Tip Top” (credit Dr.Jasse).. and really… how many 5 goal periods have we ever had? Good stuff. It was also noted post game by Nelson there haven’t been many times that by the middle of the second we know the game is finished.

The third would be no surprises either.

They would take a penalty. We would take 2 more. Bauer again for an elbow… punk… and George for and interference late in the game. George was due that one as he had just pushed over 25 in the neutral zone not long before… it was a clean open ice push down and the guy had a hard time getting up… and for some reason the blogger thought this was hilarious. I was tired… anyway… There also haven’t been many times we’ve had 5 penalties on the night and won decisively.

Sully would score again just a few minutes in on that power play. The play was sick from George (stat whore assist) and Nelson just worked low and zipped an excellent pass to Sully out front. The dude had all the finish required on the night.

Parker would put the cap on the night in garbage time (9 minutes remaining) from Nelson and Sully. That line, those three guys, ended the evening with a jaw dropping 14 points. Nice work indeed.

So there you have it. The New Look Suds are a hit, and thanks to playing the Cads (ahem) and El Tigre are 2-0 to open the season. Of course we blew this over the summer going 5-0 and getting hammered in a higher division the rest of the season. Who cares. Winning is good. More games with the Tigers.

Game Stars

3^rd Star: Randy on the spot Dudek. Helping out the club on short notice and turning in some fine work in the pipes. Very steady… and becoming a fixture back there.

2^nd Star: How do you not go with Nelson Sharfman? The cagey vet works the zone, works hard all night and ends up with five points. A goal and 4 assists.

Have to also mention Kevin Parker here as part of the program with 2 goals and an assist. Great work gentlemen.

1^st Star: You can see it a mile away… Jim Sullivan. A slow evening with 4 goals and 2 assists and a whopper of a 6 point night. Great work. Last week he was clutch playing net for the ‘daveur and this week he’s an offensive machine… great stuff Sully.

Honorable Mention: Josh Bittker. A strong early push for rookie of the year with another 2 points in his second game. Nice to have you aboard!

No fourth period joy. Everyone seemed pleased to take this sweet one and roll. Maybe it was the fact that there was no water (showers) due to an Ecoli situation in the Canton water. We play there next week... keep it in mind... and next time lets bring beer.