Cads and Blues achieve gridlock!

Cadavers (7) vs. Blues

Tuesday July 1

Canton 7:10pm

3-3 tie.

Last night the Dead in Red took the ice against our old friends The Blues in a classic matchup that reminded the blogger of seasons past. This one had an interesting start given that a trash truck had spewed its considerable (and I imagine odorific) load all over the southbound lanes of Route 24 making getting to the game an excercise in frustration for just about everyone involved.
Thankfully, the Zombies showed, with nearly two full lines by 7pm and both teams were on the ice, with goaltenders when the rink clock struck 7:10. Goodguy and league best scorekeeper Larry Hudson ran the pregame 4 mins but held the game clock until a zebra appeared at about 20 past. Thanks again to him for not starting the clock and giving us a full game.

The blogger even had time to exchange pleasantries with some of the Blues, and had a brief chat with our old friend #35. We talked about being sure they gave us a full game, because both teams were on time, and he said " They have too... this is a classic... Blues vs. Cadavers!" Nice to see they feel the same way.

These guys have always played us tough, and last night was no exception, but the games are often quite good, requiring our best effort to get over on them, which really doesn't happen more than the other way around. This game was no exception.

The Red Roster looked like this. Valenti, Campbell, Moorachian, and Fosdick on D. Nelson, Roman, Scott, Matvey, Sully, Hammitt, and Gregson on Offense.

The Dead in Red started fast, which was good, and Jim Sullivan took the opening faceoff into the Blue zone. Not more than a chance or two later the puck was in the net courtesy of Sully and 15 seconds in the Zombies had a one goal lead. The goal was unassisted... but it was a beauty of a shot.

Only one shift later Roman Kurin would come out of nowhere and score again (unassisted), now the Cads had a 2-0 lead only 2 minutes into the game. The Blues were on their heels and the Zombies were taking advantage of thier eary struggles. Nearly the whole first period was played in their end and the Red kept piling up chances.

With 5:25 remaining in the first George sprung Nelson (via Sully) on a breakaway and Nelson closed the deal smartly for a 3-0 lead. Thats how the first would end and the Zombies were feeling good.

The good feeling would pretty much end there. The Zebras, tardy as they were, seemed to think the game needed some evening up. Nelson went for a trip in the first period, but the second would see plenty of the Red in the box. Campbell went for a check 3 minutes in. Then Matvey would go (on a bs call... should have at least matched) at 9:33... then Matvey would go again with 3 minutes left in the period, this time with a matching call for the Blues player but because the two of them knocked each other around a little after the whistle it was double minors matching. That meant Matvey was out of the game.... and none to happy about it either.
It was a good thing Mike Hammitt had kept on coming through the heaps of traffic and had joined the team as the 11th just before the end of the first. Now we were back to ten but things had changed significantly.

The Blues broke through at 7:31 of the Second with ta long shot that slipped through Brian. Less than a minute later they scored another, and the momentum had clearly shifted to their side. Now a 2-3 game and the Blues showing more and more life as the game went along. The Red consistantly had trouble breaking out of the zone and there were a pleathora of turnovers from D and forwards alike.

Into the third we went with the Zombies looking more corpse like as the game went on. The early momentum seemed a distant memory as the Blues continued to pour it on. They would score the game tying goal at 10:55 on a play that Brian had made the inital (probably second also) save but the rebound was put home by a Blue standing unhindered at the left post just off the crease. Tie game and the Red were not responding well.

Valenti went to the box next at 7:15 but again the Zombies had a strong kill, but still couldn't get anything going down the stretch. There were lots of chances both ways.

Jeff watched in horror as his guy (Kenny G) took a pass all alone in the slot but shot wide as Brian faced him down. Jeff would get some chances in the offensive end as the minutes melted away but had no more success than he did in his own end... meaning none.

Thats how this one would end, with the Red looking tired and just thankful to not blow the game completely. Still a tie after having what looked like a very comfortable 3-0 at the end of the first was a dissapointment. Campbell said it best in the locker room..."We played awesome in the first, we dominated. Then we sucked and played stupid in the last two." Hmm. Yup.

Sully added... "We looked tired in the second and third." Yeah that's right on the money too.

Too bad, but all in all a pretty good game against our old rival whom we are certain to be seeing again.

The Blogger is going to pass on Game Stars this time around.... given the size of the lead that was blown.

Honorable Mention's to Sully for good play and that first quick goal, and Nelson for his tirelessness and his goal.

Don't forget the game tonight in Quincy. Double check your roster status and.....

SCHLIDAVEUR #4 on Tuesday night July 8th Quincy 10:10pm.

This is going to be the Reversedaver... we will set out available D and O in seperate groups just as always but this time around the group designated as D will have to play Offense. The teams can decide who they want to fill the D positions with from the remaining players. Also Roman Kurin has volunteered to be guest GM so please confirm with Matt as soon as possible so we can get a definitive group of players for him to pick from.

Thanks for reading and good luck to the Schlitz tonight. Someone get the score sheet and email me in the morning... please.