UPPER VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE

ODDS:	Gamblers by 1
OVER/UNDER:	7

Gamblers hope to stay undefeated...but I wouldn't count on it. This one could go either way, and the Gamblers won in the final 2 minutes the last time these two teams met. It will be a close one, guaranteed! Condon is out, Bartline is in. Bartline shut out the Nords a few weeks ago, and sometimes goalies play best when it doesn't count...could Bartline do it again? Hmmm...JT almost had the shutout last week. Both squads can score, but I think this will be another low scoring battle decided in the third. Gotta give the edge to the 6-0 Gamblers by a goal.

Gamblers continue UVHL dominance

Another battle between Whalen Cup contenders went right down to the wire yet again. The Gamblers have not had a loss in 6 games so far this season, and sit undefeated atop the standings with Tuck and the Nords in pursuit. The Nords had this one under control until they gave up 3 unanswered goals to start the third period, and then it went to an extended shootout with 7 players per side getting an opportunity to be a hero for the extra point and the win.

The Nords struck first against substitute goaltender Pete Bartline on loan from the Brewers in the net for an injured Jered Condon who tweaked his knee last week during action against the very same Brewers. Kelly Park solved Bartline and let him know it at 11:14 assisted by centerman Jordan McGee to put the Nords up first on the scoreboard. Nords speedy winger Alex Brands stole a puck in deep late in the first netting an unassisted goal with 2:35 to go to make it 2-0 Nords. Ian Coates headed to the Nords box for hooking at 2:00 in the only penalty of the game and the Nords PK kept the Gamblers off the scoresheet, but it was truly Turner%u2019s incredible sprawling glove save that robbed the Gamblers of almost a sure goal from in tight. Gamblers captain Will Meyer was late for the game and entered the rink to see his team already down 1-0, but his team was solid in his absence and showed that they can hang with the Nords without their superstar.

In the second the teams traded two goals apiece while fighting hard for loose pucks and offensive chances. There were several non-calls as the two refs let it go evenly, and there was nothing over the top that put any players at risk. Meyer scored the first goal of the second from defenseman Jason Young quickly pouncing on a rebound at 11:44. Brands potted his second unassisted goal of the game at 9:32 to give the Nords a 2 goal lead once again. Both goalies were tested, and both came up big with key saves to keep the score low. The Gamblers pulled close with another goal at 8:29 as power forward Matt Marrazzo benefited from a Marc Gattie point shot whose rebound came right to Marrazzo who made no mistake at 8:29 hammering it past a shocked Turner. With the lines mixed-up and the Nords going with two centers, a new connection was made for a goal as Jim Kerrigan put one past Bartline at 3:37 fed by McGee and winger Poli Nightingale.

The Nords seemed to have control heading into the third, up 4-2, playing well, and playing to win. Unfortunately, they then started to play not to lose, and they gave up three unanswered goals in a row to a Gamblers squad that took charge of the game proving why they are undefeated so far this season. Tyson Seely was fed for a breakaway on the first shift of the third as Ruben Lyons caught a loose puck in his own end and saw Seely immediately take off outside the zone. Nords D Kelly Park had cheated in to get a pass and let Seely get in behind him. McDermott gave chase from the other side of the ice but the angle was too perfect for Seely to go in alone, and he snuk one past Tuner at 14:11 and made the Nords pay for the mistake. Suddenly the mood changed, and it was a one goal game. The Nords lost a fight for the puck on the half-boards to the left of Turner and the shot was tipped over his shoulder by Allison Malcolm in front as Nords D Drew Crapser was rubbing her back, stroking her hair, and making sure she was comfortable parked at the top of the crease. Malcom%u2019s goal was at 10:38 from defenseman Mike Harrington who won the battle on the boards and allowed the Gamblers to tie the game. The Nords looked nauseous. Then they played like they were sick. Malcolm fed Dan Ammel in the neutral zone who crossed into the Nords zone with the puck, and as soon as McDermott stepped up Ammel let loose a quick screen shot that fooled Turner and suddenly the Gamblers were up by one. McDermott felt a bubble of bleu cheese well up from the depths of his stomach. He wasn%u2019t sure if that was entirely bad, but it was accompanied by a nauseous feeling as the game started to slip away. Pissed that the goal came on his watch McDermott got open and took a perfect D-to-D pass from Park and streaked up the right side of the ice, beating two Gamblers defenders and found McGee trailing the play making a perfect pass to McGee for the game tying goal with 5:07 to play. Both tenders turned away late chances but this game was destined for OT in a shootout.

SHOOTOUT:
Nords Gamblers

McGee %u2013 goal Marrazzo %u2013 save

Brands %u2013 save Meyer %u2013 save

Coates %u2013 save Ammel %u2013 goal

Park %u2013 save Seely %u2013 save

O%u2019Neil %u2013 save Lyons %u2013 save

Marsh %u2013 save Gattie %u2013 save

Crapser %u2013 missed the net Drew %u2013 goal

McGee scored first to put the Nords in charge, but Ammel extended the shootout by scoring on the third shootout attempt on a shot that beat Turner to the glove side. Drew%u2019s GWG came as he came down the left side, cut across, and just got it over Turner%u2019s left pad.

Final Score: Gamblers win 6-5 in shootout

Final Analysis: The Nords lost this one, plain and simple. Yes, the Gamblers came back, but it was the Nords that opened the door for them. The Nords should feel lucky to leave with a point after blowing chunks the entire third period. Why Kelly Park did not send super sniper Roger Phillips into the shootout is a total mystery to me%u2026 Why Greg Marsh went in on his weak side for his shootout attempt is also a mystery. Why Park sent Crapser in there to miss the net proved his parents tried to drown him as an infant and he is suffering from brain damage secondary to anoxia. The Gamblers deserve credit for battling back, and have proven that they are the real deal and are the team to beat this season. Both goalies played great in this one, but the Nords let Turner down once again, and if they don%u2019t play better in the third period they%u2019ll be playing for 5th place in April.

Final Tally: Check out the Boxscores section and don%u2019t forget to vote for the Long Trail UVHL Player of the Week. The winner gets a FREE case of beer thanks to Long Trail CEO Brian Walsh!

 

Team:	Time:	Type:	Player:	Details:
1st PERIOD
NDQ	11:14	Goal	Park, Kelly(3)	Assist(s): McGee, Jordan(10)
NDQ	02:35	Goal	Brands, Alex(6)	Assist(s): none
NDQ	02:00	Penalty	Coates, Ian(1)	2 minutes for Hooking
2nd PERIOD
GMB	11:44	Goal	Meyer, Will(10)	Assist(s): Young, Jason(2)
NDQ	09:32	Goal	Brands, Alex(7)	Assist(s): none
GMB	08:29	Goal	Marrazzo, Matt(11)	Assist(s): Gattie, Marc(5)
NDQ	03:37	Goal	Kerrigan, James(1)	Assist(s): McGee, Jordan(11) Nightingale, Poli(1)
3rd PERIOD
GMB	14:11	Goal	Seely, Tyson(1)	Assist(s): Lyons, Reuben(1)
GMB	10:38	Goal	Malcolm, Allison(2)	Assist(s): Harrington, Mike(4)
GMB	06:46	Goal	Ammel, Robert(7)	Assist(s): Malcolm, Allison(5)
NDQ	05:07	Goal	McGee, Jordan(8)	Assist(s): McDermott, Shawn(5) Park, Kelly(4)
SHOOTOUT
NDQ	1	McGee, Jordan		GOAL Scored on Peter Bartline
GMB	2	Marrazzo, Matt		SAVE BY John Turner
NDQ	3	Brands, Alex		SAVE BY Peter Bartline
GMB	4	Meyer, Will		SAVE BY John Turner
NDQ	5	Coates, Ian		SAVE BY Peter Bartline
GMB	6	Ammel, Robert		GOAL Scored on John Turner
NDQ	7	Marsh, Greg		SAVE BY Peter Bartline
GMB	8	Seely, Tyson		SAVE BY John Turner
NDQ	9	O'Neil, Michael		SAVE BY Peter Bartline
GMB	10	Lyons, Reuben		SAVE BY John Turner
NDQ	11	Park, Kelly		SAVE BY Peter Bartline
GMB	12	Gattie, Marc		SAVE BY John Turner
NDQ	13	Crapser, Drew		SAVE BY Peter Bartline
GMB	14	Drew, Brendan		GOAL Scored on John Turner

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Game Comments:
kpark Quechee, VT Registered: Dec 2003 Posts: 723	WEAK Nov 24th, 2009 08:01 AM This has to be the weakest pre-game write-ups I have ever seen. WEAK WEAK WEAK. Nice in depth analysis, "this one could go either way".
rgrunds Stowe, VT Registered: Posts: 376	Kelly is fussy today Nov 24th, 2009 08:58 AM fuss fuss.
McG Hanover, NH Registered: Posts: 47	Ironmen Nov 24th, 2009 12:07 PM Tuck might be interested in signing a Nord or Gambler to a one-game contract tonight, pending approval from Le Lallier and the Whale.
hkydoc WRJ, VT Registered: Jan 2004 Posts: 517	I updated it! Nov 24th, 2009 02:09 PM Hey, I was in a rush when I did it... I finished it just for you, Pumpkin! (I meant ASSHOLE, but was too nice to say it)
The Dark Canuck Fairlee, VT Registered: Dec 2004 Posts: 340	Where's the FUCKING write-ups??? Nov 28th, 2009 10:07 AM Are we going to have to wait until Monday to re-cap the game fellas? I mean, even Grundy would have had 'em done by Fri. I know McD is busy spreading his love all over MTL, and Kelly is between H1N1 flare-ups and that thing he calls "work". But, seriously, the awesome new website really doesn't look awesome when the shit is so outdated...sorry if I pissed anyone off, wait a minute...no I'm not. Git R Done Boys!
rgrunds Stowe, VT Registered: Posts: 376	good Nords write up Nov 29th, 2009 01:00 AM Ha...parents tried to drown him as a child.. Good line...one among many.... nice job
hkydoc WRJ, VT Registered: Jan 2004 Posts: 517	Quit yer whining! Nov 29th, 2009 01:31 AM IN RESPONSE TO: BY: The Dark Canuck Are we going to have to wait until Monday to re-cap the game fellas? I mean, even Grundy would have had 'em done by Fri. I know McD is busy spreading his love all over MTL, and Kelly is between H1N1 flare-ups and that thing he calls "work". But, seriously, the awesome new website really doesn't look awesome when the shit is so outdated...sorry if I pissed anyone off, wait a minute...no I'm not. Git R Done Boys! ...and stop smoking that funny stuff so you can backcheck and maybe even take a shootout attempt from the right angle with some speed!