UPPER VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE

ODDS:	Brewers by 1
OVER/UNDER:	7

The last time these two teams met the Brewers played their best game of their young season and welcomed the return of goaltender Pete Bartline and shutout the Nords 3-0. That won't happen again, but this will be a very even contest right down to the wire, and may hinge on a single defensive gaffe or mistake for a 1 goal win. The Brewers are the hottest team in the league right now and are playing great hockey. They get their fair share of penalties, but the Nords PP is pathetic. One thing for sure is that Park will try to get in Bartline's head, and he had better back it up this time otherwise another head butt might be coming his way! Bartline won that battle last time, but Park is due for an all star performance.

Brewers continue dominance over Nords

FYI: I am trying a new format for the game write-ups and will omit recounting every goal, assist and penalty in consecutive order since you can easily see that in the boxscores section. I will primarily focus on game highlights and analysis in the body of the report, and will continue with my trademark Final Score, Final Analysis, and Final Tally at the conclusion.

Are the Nords the Brewers' bitch? It seems that way after a 3-0 spanking and a convincing 5-2 win (including an empty netter). Or are the Nords just matched up poorly against the Brewers in particular? From my foggy memory no team has beaten the Nords in consecutive match-ups since the Storm Kings last season. I'll tell you one thing, it isn't a fluke, and the Brewers are the hottest team in the league right now, but it doesn't mean that the Nords didn't show up either.

The Brewers have learned how to play a great team game against the Nords, and it has worked well the past two games. These squads match up well in all three positions: goal, defense, and forwards. Thus, it usually comes down to hard work, a defensive mistake, and a bounce here or there. It was no different in this contest, and the Nords broke down for two quick goals by the Brewers in 6 seconds and that was it. I don't recall either goaltender making spectacular saves, they were just both solid and had really good fundamentals all game. Bayley's goal just snuk between JT's legs, and Turner got a good piece of the 6 foot slapper from the slot, and Johnson's goal was on a loose puck in front that he put in off the post after being left uncovered at the side of the net with Nords forwards looking on.

The best play of the night was Marshy's diving play to keep the puck in the Brewer's zone, and he swiped at it hooking the puck to Brands for the goal on the surprised Bartline. In the middle of the third there was a UVHL first: Matt Crowson, who is traditionally a goaltender and started the season very capably in the Brewers' net before Bartline's return, playing on the wing scored his FIRST EVER GOAL AS A PLAYER! Congrats, Matt! Way to go! The empty netter was on a good play by Smith as he forced Park to try and pinch to keep the puck in on offense while the Nords pulled Turner for a 6th skater. Smith chipped it out past Park and had the angle the whole way down the right side, didn't shoot it from the redline like a douchebag, and got into the Nords zone before putting it in the empty net while getting pressure from Park.

Final Score: Brewers 5, Nords 2 (incl. empty netter)

Final Analysis: The Nords played very well in both of the past two games against the Brewers, but the Brewers played just a little bit better and, taking nothing away from the Brewers, they earned both wins. The Brewers are using smart stretch plays to move the puck up the ice, and are retreiving most of the pucks in their own end and are transitioning well thereby forcing the opposing D to have to back off to cover their forward hanging high. The Nords were using good breakout plays, and were penetrating into the Brewers zone well advancing up the ice with a different strategy going East-West rather than South-North. Both squads had plenty of good chances, and there were many great defensive plays in both ends to go along with good saves. All the penalties were obstruction calls, and this was a clean game with very little garbage. If a fan was watching either game they would have been entertained watching some really good hockey. Thankfully that is the status quo in the UVHL: show up and be ready to play a competitive hockey game.

Final Tally: Check out the Boxscores section for the stats, eh! Don't forget to vote for the UVHL Long Trail Player of the Week. The winner gets to pick up a FREE case of beer at Long Trail Brewery thanks to super CEO (and former Notre Dame superstar and UVHL Brewer) Brian Walsh!

 

Team:	Time:	Type:	Player:	Details:
1st PERIOD
NDQ	13:11	Goal	McGee, Jordan(11)	Assist(s): Brands, Alex(10)
NDQ	08:14	Penalty	Brands, Alex(2)	2 minutes for Tripping
BRE	02:16	Goal	Bayley, Nick(9)	Assist(s): none
2nd PERIOD
BRE	11:06	Goal	Johnson, Chris(4)	Assist(s): Yehle, Jason(2) Bayley, Nick(8)
BRE	11:00	Goal	Isaac, Christian(6)	Assist(s): Smith, Brian(8)
BRE	08:54	Penalty	Bayley, Nick(3)	2 minutes for Tripping
NDQ	08:00	Goal	Brands, Alex(8)	Assist(s): Marsh, Greg(8)
BRE	02:57	Penalty	Crowson, Matthew(3)	2 minutes for Tripping
NDQ	00:32	Penalty	Dwyer, Kevin(1)	2 minutes for Tripping
3rd PERIOD
BRE	06:49	Goal	Crowson, Matthew(1)	Assist(s): Isaac, Christian(2) Smith, Brian(9)
NDQ	04:54	Penalty	Willis, David(1)	2 minutes for Tripping
BRE	03:38	Penalty	Bayley, Nick(4)	2 minutes for Hooking
BRE	00:21	Goal	Smith, Brian(6)	Assist(s): Yehle, Jason(3)

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Game Comments:
Garrentee Killington, VT Registered: Posts: 20	Blowout Dec 6th, 2009 01:21 PM I predict a complete blowout in this game...thats me blowing out kelly's knee after I turn him inside out!!
The Dark Canuck Fairlee, VT Registered: Dec 2004 Posts: 340	Garrenteed in deed Dec 7th, 2009 06:30 PM IN RESPONSE TO: BY: Garrentee I predict a complete blowout in this game...thats me blowing out kelly's knee after I turn him inside out!! Although you MAY turn Park inside out, we as a team are gonna make swiss cheese outta your goaltender! PB may be a good keeper, but I'm predicting a 6-4 Nordique victory, with 759 mins in penalties to go along with that..by you, of course...
hkydoc WRJ, VT Registered: Jan 2004 Posts: 517	Impossible! Dec 7th, 2009 06:31 PM Why? Because how can you possibly take Kelly out if you're always in the f'n box for hooking? Not only that, but he doesn't build up enough speed to damage anything. Besides, even IF you get past him, I'll be there, too, and even with your long reach it is a looong way around McD's Bleu Cheese Belly! It should be another great game between two solid teams who enjoy each other's competition and post-game camaraderie, eh. See you on the ice! McD
Z-Skate White River Jct, VT Registered: Posts: 108	.. hmm .. Dec 8th, 2009 08:08 AM I could make sure all 4 of you aren't on the ice all that much if you like .. One thing is for sure, penalties could be at an all time low w/ Gooch & I reffing !!
kpark Quechee, VT Registered: Dec 2003 Posts: 724	ZZZZZZ Dec 8th, 2009 11:06 AM IN RESPONSE TO: BY: Z-Skate I could make sure all 4 of you aren't on the ice all that much if you like .. One thing is for sure, penalties could be at an all time low w/ Gooch & I reffing !! Big-Z, what do you mean all 4 of us? I'm just an innocent bystander here getting trashed by Poirier, McD & Marshy. I'm always innocent. I have never taken a penalty that I deserved. McD.....very funny comment about me not being able to go fast enough to actually hurt myself!!! HA HA HA. I'm psyched for this one. KP
The Dark Canuck Fairlee, VT Registered: Dec 2004 Posts: 340	Me too Dec 8th, 2009 02:00 PM IN RESPONSE TO: BY: kpark Big-Z, what do you mean all 4 of us? I'm just an innocent bystander here getting trashed by Poirier, McD & Marshy. I'm always innocent. I have never taken a penalty that I deserved. McD.....very funny comment about me not being able to go fast enough to actually hurt myself!!! HA HA HA. I'm psyched for this one. KP I don't think I trashed you on this one KP, but your stealth-like speed is certainly deceptive. So deceptive in fact, that your own TEAMMATES don't even know what you're doing! LOL ... While most of us are gazing at Isaacs streaking up the wing at break-neck speed, only to miss the net...or Bayley turning just about everyone inside out, or Al "The Ageless One" Sorrentino teleporting from the corner to the front of the net, just in time to bang home the garbage, or Danny "Chubby Hubby" Charrette with a MISSILE from the point, the Brewers have many weapons, which the Nords will have to contain in order to Pound them into submission...WE SHALL SEE!!!
SK8VT Woodstock, VT Registered: Posts: 45	Dec 8th, 2009 04:21 PM Wow our own kind Double Mc Cheese aint even picking us tonight disappointing...