UPPER VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE

Gambling on Redemption

ODDS:	Gamblers By 3
OVER/UNDER:	11 Goals

After going 21-0-0 to start the 2011-2012 season, the Gamblers proceeded to loose their last regular season game against the Whalers to ruin perfection, and then loose again to the same team in the Whalen Cup Finals.

Knowing the Gambler's captain Willy "Mighty Mouse" Meyer, he's still boiling over the loss and will most likely take it out on the Nords tonight. This is also a rematch of last season's opener where the Gamblers trounced the Nordiques 10-3.

The Gamblers should walk over the Nords, 7-4.

Nordiques Battle Back, Beat Gamblers 4-3

The Gamblers were involved in yet another David vs Goliath moment, this time to start the season. After finishing 21-1-0 the past two seasons, the G-Men were the favorite for the President's Trophy and Whalen Cup this season. Unfortunately for them, they picked up where they left off last season. They've now lost 3 of their last 4 games, two to the eventual Champ Whalers last season and then tonight against the Nordiques.

The Nords brought their "A" game but their goaltender Johnny "Temper Tantrum" Turner was the story tonight. Making 47 of 50 saves and at least 20 GOOD saves, he brought them back from a 2-0 deficit and continually energized them with his stellar play.

From start to finish, this was a fast paced, hard-fought game with the rare occurrence in the UVHL, A PENALTY-FREE GAME!

The Gamblers showed up at puck-drop and jumped on a pair of Nordique mistakes early on for the 2-0 lead. The first came just 37 seconds in when Nordique's defenseman Ryan "The Govenator" McGovern carried the puck in front of his own net and was either the puck stuck to the new ice or McGovern was mesmerized by Willy "Mighty Mouse" Meyer's new "Skinny" pants, leaving a perfect tape to tape drop pass for Meyer just outside the crease. Meyer, in his new skinny pants, slammed home the gift and the Nordiques immediately felt as though this may be another 10-3 ass-whooping being handed out by the Gamblers.

Matty "The Milkman" Marrazzo made it 2-0 at the 9:23 mark when a 2 on 2 suddenly turned into a 2 on 1 for the Gamblers. A Nordiques forward, back on defense went for the double coverage on Meyer who made a beaut of a pass to send Marrazzo in all alone, juking Turner into falling at the top of the crease before pulling to his backhand and sliding the puck into the open cage. A gorgeous goal, from pass to deke%u2026and the Nordiques stomach's dropped.

The Nords battled back with a pair of their own in the second half of the first period. The first came when Roger "The Dentist From Heaven" Phillips took a pass at his own blue line, raced down the far boards and around a Gamblers defenseman. In tight to the goaltender & defenseman, Phillips managed a hell of a shot that the Gambler's netminder, Ryan "Van Dam" Van Schoick, forcing a great save where the rebound landed just outside the crease. Following up the play was Eric "Special K" Krivitzky, fighting off the other Gambler defenseman to get two whacks at the puck, finally sending it into the net.

"Fierce" Pierce Mayhew tied the game with 1:26 to play in the period on a play that was heard around the world. Picking off an errant pass at center ice, Mayhew put it into his top gear(2nd), slicing between the Gambler's defensive pairing and walking in all alone on Van Schoik who was preparing the poke check. Mayhew was ready, pulled the puck to his backhand and threw it up and over the pad to tie the game.

END OF THE FIRST: Gamblers 2, Nordiques 2

The Nordiques had settled in after a rough start to the game, but the Gamblers kept peppering Turner with shots in the second. Only one of those shots found the back of the net, just 1:34 into the period when Marrazzo struck again, this time with a snapper from the tops of the circles beating Turner high glove. "I wish I could have that one back," recalled Turner after the game. "He's got a tricky quick release that just caught me napping a bit." That 3-2 lead for the Gamblers held for almost 20 minutes, carrying into the second period.

END OF THE SECOND: Gamblers 3, Nordiques 2

McGovern was on a mission to rectify his early mistake and totally REDEEMED himself with 10:58 to play, jamming home a pass from Dr. Phillips. "Roger was battling like 8 guys on the boards, pretty much toying with them and playing keep away. He then made a great pass to me storming the front of the net, I jammed it home, BOOM" is the way McGovern recalls the goal. Another solid effort from Phillips who was kept out of the goal column but contributed in every other possible aspect for his team.

It was a great battle for the next five minutes, back and forth action before Kelly "The Mouth" Park hit Jordy "McKnight" McGee at center ice for a partial breakaway. McGee was hunted down by Meyer from center ice, and quite uncharacteristically of Meyer, he laid some lumber down on McGee, eventually adding a hook in there sending both players, the goaltender and the puck into the net for the eventual game winning goal. "I would have pretty much made the same play if you have McGee breaking in all alone. Unfortunately for Meyer, the puck followed the traffic into the net." Said Kelly Park in retrospect, "I don't care how that puck goes in, I was just pumped it did and finally gave us a lead."

The Nordiques went into shutdown mode, relying on Turner to make some key saves down the stretch. As the buzzer went, the Nordiques celebrated as if that was their Stanley Cup.

END OF REGULATION: Nordiques 4, Gamblers 3

Yes, the Gamblers lost in week one, ruining yet another bid for a perfect season. Does this mean the Gamblers will have a reverse of fortune, going 1-21-0 in 2012-2013? Hell no. They'll probably win the rest of their games this season, and the pressure is now off to stay perfect. The Nordiques played their game tonight keeping shots to the outside, playing solid defense, playing a bit physical. They capitalized on scoring opportunities when they needed to and, of course, relied heavily on their goaltender to keep the game close.

I feel bad for the Whalers next week. Meyer & the Gamblers will surely bring their frustration from week one to the rink. If I were the Nordiques%u2026and I am%u2026they'll need to be prepared for the Gamblers on November 20th. The G-Men will remember this loss%u2026it'll probably keep Meyer up most nights for the rest of the season.

 

Team:	Time:	Type:	Player:	Details:
1st PERIOD
GMB	14:23	Goal	Meyer, Will(1)	Assist(s): Marrazzo, Matt(1)
GMB	09:23	Goal	Marrazzo, Matt(1)	Assist(s): Meyer, Will(1)
NDQ	07:11	Goal	Krivitzky, Eric(1)	Assist(s): Phillips, Roger(1)
NDQ	01:26	Goal	Mayhew, Pierce(1)	Assist(s): none
2nd PERIOD
GMB	13:16	Goal	Marrazzo, Matt(2)	Assist(s): Meyer, Will(2)
3rd PERIOD
NDQ	10:58	Goal	McGovern, Ryan(1)	Assist(s): Phillips, Roger(2)
NDQ	07:27	Goal	McGee, Jordan(1)	Assist(s): Park, Kelly(1) McDermott, Shawn(1)

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Game Comments:
hkydoc WRJ, VT Registered: Jan 2004 Posts: 517	What, no trash talk? Oct 16th, 2012 09:45 PM Seriously? Not one person bothered to post some pre-game shit talk? Alrighty... here goes... The Gamblers are going to lose 5-4 and will be sporting a record of 3 losses in their last 4 games. Boo-yah! Chew on THAT for a while why don't cha? Willy's gonna hit the post in the final 30 seconds, implode, and then the Nords will storm back and score the GWG as The Nightmare Scoreth off a juicy rebound!!!
hkydoc WRJ, VT Registered: Jan 2004 Posts: 517	FUCK, YEAH! Oct 17th, 2012 05:14 AM Who called it? MOI, merci beaucoup! What a great fucking hockey game between us and the Gamblers tonight. That's the way hockey should be every Tuesday night, eh! Fast, hard, a little edgy, great defense, great goaltending, lots of chances at both ends, no penalties (they called it consistently, that's for sure), and a close game that could have gone either way. We, the Nords, needed that to start the season off strong against a juggernaut opponent that has owned us for 3 years. We are the Gamblers' bitch no more! (at least for 5 more weeke, eh.) Look out next week, cuz the Gamblers have lost 3 of their last 4, and Willy will get the troops rallied and ready for the 23rd... so be ready. Great game to all on both teams tonight. McD
kpark Quechee, VT Registered: Dec 2003 Posts: 724	Hell Yeah Oct 17th, 2012 11:04 PM IN RESPONSE TO: BY: hkydoc Who called it? MOI, merci beaucoup! What a great fucking hockey game between us and the Gamblers tonight. That's the way hockey should be every Tuesday night, eh! Fast, hard, a little edgy, great defense, great goaltending, lots of chances at both ends, no penalties (they called it consistently, that's for sure), and a close game that could have gone either way. We, the Nords, needed that to start the season off strong against a juggernaut opponent that has owned us for 3 years. We are the Gamblers' bitch no more! (at least for 5 more weeke, eh.) Look out next week, cuz the Gamblers have lost 3 of their last 4, and Willy will get the troops rallied and ready for the 23rd... so be ready. Great game to all on both teams tonight. McD Agreed 100%. That was a great game from start to finish. I always love playing the Gamblers, but definitely enjoyed the win more than previous games. Are the Gamblers losing their edge? Losing 3 of their last 4?
JTStally Hanover, NH Registered: Posts: 159	Wow! Oct 19th, 2012 11:26 AM I'm surprised by this result. It sounds like JT played out of his mind, which is really the only way to beat the Gamblers.