UPPER VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE

Dismal Nordiques Host Hot Gamblers

ODDS:	Gamblers by 2 Goals
OVER/UNDER:	8 goals

The Nordiques inconsistencies have plagued them all season. Last week, they couldn't muster more than a single goal against the lowly Dead River Rats, dropping them from any conversation as a top-tiered team in the UVHL.

The Gamblers just keep on truckin'. After a week one loss to Tuck, they've reeled off 8 straight wins, including a 6-5 shootout win over the Nordiques 5 weeks ago. They are coming off of 4 straight games where they continually get better and better:

4-1 win over Tuck
6-2 win over Brewers
8-2 win over Dead River
13-0 win over Whalers

Jered "The Head" Condon has been outstanding, posting a league leading 7 wins and 2.00 GAA. Johnny "Temper Tantrum" Turner has been good enough, posting a 5-2-1 record, but has been mystified by his career worst 5.38 GAA.

This will be a close game, the Nordiques always play the Gamblers tight, but it will be even closer to the fact that the Gamblers will be without superstar centerman, Willy "Weeble" Meyer. Meyer is leading the league in goals & points, and will sorely be missed. But the Gamblers offense is surely deep enough to fill the void and pull out a victory.

The Nordiques need a fire lit under their asses. Maybe tonight is the night for their offense to get back on track.

Gamblers win this one 5-3, maybe 4-4 in a shootout.

Gamblers Continue Domination with 3-1 Win Over Nords

The Gamblers were looking for redemption after their last game where they blew a 5-2 lead late in the 3rd period, only to win in a shootout. Tonight they had to do it without their captain, leader and resident dwarf Willy "Wobble" Meyer. Meyer has been terrific leading the league with 32 points in only 9 games, but luckily they still had Marrazzo, Condon & LaCroix.

The Nordiques have had recent troubles putting the puck in the net. Call it a mid-season slump, bad luck or just a lack of talent, the truth of the matter is things didn't improve tonight. After only putting one up against the lowly Dead River Rats last week, they were hoping to generate a bit more than one goal tonight, but the Gambler's Jered "Door Stop" Condon was on fire.

The difference in this one may have been the 4 posts & crossbars that the Nordiques hit, but close enough only counts in horse-shoes and hand grenades.

The first period ended in a scoreless tie as the Gamblers outshot the Nordiques 12-11. The Nordiques had to kill off a pair of penalties after Ian "The Grin" Coates took a hooking call and Greg "The Meat" Marsh sat for 2 minutes after being whistled for Too Many Men. The Nordiques best penalty killer for those 4 minutes was their goaltender, Johnny "Temper Tantrum" Turner.

END OF THE FIRST: TIED AT ZERO

The Second Period is where all of the magic happened. All 3 goals, a penalty shot & 5 penalties. Topo "Speedy Gonzalez" LaCroix got things started just 2 minutes into the period from a faceoff in the neutral zone. The Nordique's centerman won the faceoff directly back to Kelly "El Turnover-o" Park who tried making a quick D to D pass that flipped over his stick and came to rest in no-mans land right between the two defenseman. LaCroix got on his horse, split the defense and raced in all alone on Turner only to have Park throw a major league hook on him as he was about to shoot, prompting the official to throw his arms in the air, signifying a Penalty Shot. LaCroix made Turner look silly with his Penalty Shot goal, cutting forehand to backhand back to forehand before roofing the puck. "I should have just let that midget go in all alone in the first place." said Park after the play.

LaCroix struck again with 5:09 remaining in the 2nd period as he broke in on a 2 on 1. LaCroix looked pass before ripping a snapshot from the faceoff dot where "Mama Keeps the Peanut Butter." Turner was a bit too deep in his net, but it was still a HELL of a shot as LaCroix didn't have much to shoot at either.

The Nordiques finally broke through on Condon with a Brian "The Beard" Racicot to Jordy "McGoalPost" McGee power play goal with 2:57 remaining. Matty "The Milkman" Marrazzo delivered a bottle of sour milk to the Nordiques as he split the defense and drew a penalty but was still able to convert as he went down to his knees, got back up, took the puck hard to the net and put in his own rebound, all the while having 2 Nordique defenseman draped all over him like a bad suit.

END OF THE SECOND: Gamblers 3, Nordiques 1

The 3rd period had some great hockey, but neither team could sneak one in. Condon turned away 17 shots and Turner 14. The Nordiques were in panic mode and the Gamblers were sitting back just waiting for the buzzer to go off, allowing the Nords to walk all over them at times. The Nordiques even had a 5 on 3 powerplay early in the third period but couldn't convert.

Jordan "McPost" McGee hit a post and crossbar in the final minutes but Condon stood tall and taking the well earned win.

Oh, and with 10 seconds to play and the Nordiques without a goaltender, Jason "The Post" Young hit the post from the blue line....EMBARRASSING!!!!

END OF REGULATION: Gamblers 3, Nordiques 1

The Gamblers aren't quite as dynamic without the services of Meyer, but still have enough firepower to beat the Nordiques. Their defense & Goaltending were top notch, shutting down the Nords at every turn.

 

Team:	Time:	Type:	Player:	Details:
1st PERIOD
NDQ	11:27	Penalty	Coates, Ian(1)	2 minutes for Hooking
NDQ	05:06	Penalty	Marsh, Greg(3)	2 minutes for Too Many Men
2nd PERIOD
GMB	12:56	Goal	LaCroix, Topo(10)	Assist(s): none
GMB	10:00	Penalty	Harrington, Mike(5)	2 minutes for Body Checking
NDQ	08:15	Penalty	Puchalik, Andrew(4)	2 minutes for Interference
GMB	05:09	Goal	LaCroix, Topo(11)	Assist(s): Malcolm, Allison(8)
GMB	03:54	Penalty	Harrington, Mike(6)	2 minutes for Hooking
NDQ	02:57	Goal	McGee, Jordan(13)	Assist(s): Racicot, Brian(12)
GMB	02:26	Goal	Marrazzo, Matt(12)	Assist(s): Young, Jason(7)
NDQ	01:50	Penalty	Marsh, Greg(4)	2 minutes for Body Checking
GMB	01:18	Penalty	LaCroix, Topo(2)	2 minutes for Cross Checking
3rd PERIOD
GMB	13:26	Penalty	Harrington, Mike(7)	2 minutes for Tripping
GMB	12:03	Penalty	LaCroix, Topo(3)	2 minutes for Tripping
NDQ	11:47	Penalty	Dakai, Tom(6)	2 minutes for Body Checking
GMB	01:29	Penalty	Marrazzo, Matt(4)	2 minutes for Slashing

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