UPPER VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE

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Storm Kings 1, Best of the Rest 0

Alas, hockey readers, there was no game sheet for this exhibition match between the Storm Kings and the fledgling UVHL All-Star team. However I can tell you this: it was pretty evenly matched and experience won out in the first game of a 5-game series. The new and improved version of the modern Storm Kings have been together for about 2 months now and team play appeared to be the most significant factor in the Storm Kings 10-6 victory. That, and Ryan Sinclair and Gary Hunter reunited on a line with no matter who on the right wing. The UVHL's most dynamic duo showed why they are the most dangerous combo on the ice controlling the play and feeding passes to open Storm King skaters en route to victory # 1 in the UVHL's first official bragging rights series of 2005-06. However, the best player on the ice was not on the Storm Kings. Will Meyer, former Hanover Midget star and state champ, NH Junior team captain, D3 college player and almost SPHL professional (yes, unfortunately Will was the LAST one cut from a SPHL roster this fall...) showed why he is a force to be reckoned with scoring and setting up most of the UVHL team's goals, and backchecking like a frickin' tornado. I have a feeling that Meyer will see some time in a Storm Kings uniform before the season is over. There were several interesting lines formed on each roster. The UVHLers showed up for their first game with 7 defensemen and 6 forwards, thus a forward line comprised of only defenseman was formed with Avalanche captain Sean McCabe between Avalanche D Jami James and Bruin D Andy Holland that controlled the play just about as much as Sinclair and Hunter did, and created several opportunities that the D-men just aren't used to finishing (but just give them a little more practice). In fact, aside from Meyer, this was the UVHL All-Star team's best line overall. On the flip side, the Sinclair-Hunter combo was the most dangerous for both squads, and Sinclair made the play of the game streaking down the left wing with McDermott keeping him wide taking away the direct shot, so Sinclair faked the shot and heeled a half-slapper past McD's ooutstretched stick and across the slot right onto the stick of Hunter who was bolting to the far side of the net with a backchecker all over him just past JT's left pad and into the open net. It was an un-frickin-believable play that gave McDermott flashbacks to the 2004 Bruins Alumni game that made him feel like Canadian-Swiss cheese and gave him nightmares for a month! However, the "Labatt 150" line that included three veterans on the Storm Kings that have either eclipsed or are damn near close to the half-century mark proved that experience counts for something! The speedy St. John "Singe" Arnold is as fast as anyone in the league, the grizzly and abrasive Marty White who can skate, circle, shoot, and provide puck control (and circle some more) with the very best, and yet another tenacious D on forward, the backwards breakaway move master John "Murf" Murphy provided veteran leadership both on and off the ice for the Storm Kings. I must be honest and say that neither goaltender had their 'A' game with 10 and 6 goals scored respectively against the UVHL All-Star (and part-time Storm Kinger himself) John Turner and the testy and aggressive Storm Kings tender Dan French, BUT both had to make their fair share of spectacular and routine saves alike in this offense-minded exhibition game. There were a few alternates used on both squads but this author knows only the UVHL All-Star roster where guest invitee Evan Seeley (you owe me some money, punk!) saw time at forward while back for Thanksgiving, Jason Loomis and Ian Stevens filled in admirably from the Leafs, and last minute roster addition (thanks to JT) Andy Holland finally graced a UVHL team other than the Bruins with his formidable presence. Drew Crapser also finally dressed in a Storm Kings uniform making a guest appearance of his own. All players enjoyed the level of competition this exhibition game provided, and all are looking forward to the next 4 games. In addition, the word on the street is that there are several heads to be shaved if either team loses! Bragging rights may have to come at a high cost to the losers of the series, but thankfully there are many players more than halfway to bald already, so it may actually be an improvement! We'll also discuss actually having a game sheet for the next installment on 11/29, so stay tuned Upper Valley hockey fans!

 

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