THE

UPPER VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE

Storm Kings
Tuck
1st
3
3
2rd
7
2
3rd
2
1
FINAL
12
6
Shots
46
29
October 14th, 2008 - 8:05PM
Pre-Game
Recap
Box Score
Discussion
Game ID: 503

Storm Kings double up Tuck on opening night

Could the Storm Kings have their strongest squad ever? Methinks this is possible in Season Six... A very svelte Frenchy returns in net with a repaired knee, and the Cardigan Short Bus made the long trip for opening night carrying power forward Rob Barker (often touted by his own teammates as the best Storm King ever in the modern era), the return of UVHL Hall of Famer Ryan "Rusty" Sinclair, the ever dangerous Tim Leroy, speedy newcomer Patrick Turcotte, and veteran Mike Fitzgerald all the way from Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan, NH. This 5-some may carry the Kingers to first place and give them their best chance yet in the UVHL playoffs...when they are here. If they are not, can the veteran squad of ageless wonders continue their UVHL dominance? Only time will tell... Tuck returns for their 5th UVHL season with a mix of returning players with very capable goaltender Ryan Fitzgerald, scoring ace Adam Mantin, and tenacious-D captain Ryan McGovern leading the squad of first year Tuckies. Tuck with three Whalen Cups in four seasons is a UVHL powerhouse, but with roster turnover every school year you never know what kind of team they will be able to ice, but they always practice together from early September and play like a team. Therein lies their strength. However, it would not be enough on the first night of Season Six.

The Kings got it started early in the first only 30 seconds in and Sinclair continued right where he left off two seasons ago with a goal from Barker and Leroy. Barely 2:46 later Sinclair scored again, this time from Turcotte (or Fitzgerald, also wearing #18). Tuck settled down and regained control answering at 9:44 on a Pace Ralli goal, and then they tied it at 6:54 on an unassisted marker by Albno. With the score 2-2 Tuck goaltender Ryan Fitzgerald made a great save off his right foot on a Ronnie Dupius deflection from a Rick Hughes point attempt at 6:37. Tuck pulled ahead at 5:30 of the first and held the lead, albeit briefly, on a Berner goal assisted by Nowak. Barker tied it at 3 at 2:09 unassisted through the 5-hole of Fitzgerald sending the game to the second even up.

Sinclair put the Kings ahead for good at 13:49 from Leroy. Tuck forward pace Ralli made an awesome individual effort showing great hustle at 12:40 as he stopped a Hughes point shot and chased it down the left side of the ice. Ralli handled it, skated with it, lost control, then dove and shoveled it past a sprawling Hughes and Tuck hit the crossbar on the ensuing shot attempt. The ref thought it didn't go in, but I was right behind the net and it appeared to go in and out quickly off the rear bar of the net. In typical hockey fashion the Kings then went down and scored to make it 5-3 as Turcotte (or was it Mike Fitzgerald also wearing #18?) potted his first UVHL goal at 12:07 from defenseman Tom Scull, who garnered the first Storm King point of the game from a non-Cardigan player. Tuck captain McGovern played some solid D and led by example blocking a hard shot from Mike Fitzgerald at 12:02. Some scoreless hockey ensued highlighted by a couple of great chances by Tuck at 9:04 as Frenchy stopped 2 low shots. Sinclair scored another after deking out two Tuckies and snuk it past Fitzgerald for an unassisted effort at 8:42. Barker was fed by Leroy for his third of the game at 8:15 to put the score at 7-3 and out of reach for Tuck. However, the hardworking Tuckies did respond just over a minute later after King defender Hughes, who has the featured player photo on the UVHL main page this week, stopped a 2-on-1, but Tuck somehow kept posession and Nowak scored assisted by teammates Albno and KiKuchi. The second period scorefest continued with three more Kings goals in succession by Barker from Sinclair and Leroy at 4:59; Hughes from captain Dean Cashman at 4:27 to FINALLY get a non-Cardigan Kinger in the goal column; and Leroy with his first goal of the game at 1:49 from Barker and Hughes. Tuck tallied one more in this nine goal period at 0:56 when Koshiba lit the lamp from Cheng and Berner to end the period with the Storm Kings up 10-5.

The third period was more evenly played as far as the socreboard was concerned, and the play was back and forth. Tuck kept working hard, and showed glimpses of good team play and chemistry. In time it may be enough to keep up with the Kings, but not tonight. Sinclair scored his 5th of the game at 13:51, another unassisted effort. Tuck answered at 10:58 as KiKuchi added a goal to go with his assist, and this one with help from Berner for his 3rd point of the night and Nowak for his 4th point of the contest. The scoring ended at 10:50 on Leroy's second goal from Barker, and the teams just seemed to take it easier after that and had some fun without scoring for the last 10 minutes.
LEAGUE PICK 'EM
 0%
Storm Kings
0% 
Tuck
PICKS
THREE STARS

Ryan Sinclair

GOALS: 5
POINTS: 6

Rob Barker

GOALS: 3
POINTS: 6

Tim LeRoy

GOALS: 2
POINTS: 6

© 2003-2024 Upper Valley Hockey League.
Website design & maintenance by Kelly Andrew Park