UPPER VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE

ROUND 3: Tuck & Jacks

With only 3 weeks left in the regular season, the Lumberjacks & Tuck will meet for just the 3rd time.  Their first meeting back in October saw Tuck absolutely dismantle the Jacks 11-4, in a game that looked like a College Team beating up on House Mites.  The second game saw Tuck coming back from a 7 week long winter break and the Lumberjacks took advantage of the rusty Turduckens, jumping out to ha huge lead before surrendering some late goals in a 9-6 win.

Both games saw 15 goals scored, what a shitshow, so I would think offense will be on display again as both teams have dynamic forwards that can bury the biscuit.  

Jordy "McBreakaway" McGee had 4 goals and 3 assists(SEVEN POINTS) in their last meeting, so I'm sure Tuck will keep an eye on him.  In two games against the Lumberjacks, Sam "Pay Day" Gray has put 4 goals and 3 helpers, so that is another player to watch closely.

Both Goaltender's let up almost 5 goals per game, whether that is a lack of defense or skill, is a debate for the ages.  Tuck's Brendan "Killer" Kelley has a 4.78 GAA while the Jack's Ryan "The Libido" Libbey has a 4.80 GAA.

THis should be a good game, but Tuck has returned to form and should be too much to handle for the Lumberjacks.  Vegas says Tuck by 2 goals, with an Over/Under of 12 Goals.

Tuck can't solve the Jacks

Something is in the water in Lumberjack's nation, as they took it to Tuck for the second time this season.  The Jacks only showed up with 8 skaters as well, missing their sparkplug Jay "The Zamboni" Zanleoni who not only provides mediocre leadership, but excellent advice on anything Mountain Bike related.  Tuck was missing their own sparkplug in Stefan "Saucy" Soucy who has put up an impressive 21 points in 8 games played.

Both goaltenders played well, with Tuck's Brendan "The Killer" Kelley stopping 21 of 26 shots, but it was the Lumberjack's Ryan "The Libido" Libbey who turned away 35 shots en route to the win and Second Star.

The Lumberjack's "Potato Farmer" line of Braden "Little Mac" McCarthy, Patrick "McGriddle" McDonough & Jordy "McShake & Bake" McGee combined for 8 points(3g & 5a).   McDonough was outstanding as he led all skaters with 4 points(2g & 2a).  A big night from mid-fielder Dillan "The Villain" Pierce as he ranged from defence to offense and potted two goals past Tuck's Kelley including the eventual game winner early in the 3rd.

Tuck's Sam "Pay Day" Gray was their best player as he netted a pair of goals to keep his team competitive, but his efforts weren't enough to play catchup on the Lumberjacks as they sat back, packed the middle and protected their goaltender as they got more tired.  Gray was heard saying "Sammy Pay Day scores goals!  Sammy Pay Day is gonna get paid after Business School!" as he left the rink post game.

The Jack's opened the scoring in the 9th minute when "Sweet Baby" Ray Nolan tapped home a McGee rebound.  Gray tied the game up late in the first as he stormed down the near boards and beat Libbey short-side on a bad angle shot.

END OF THE FIRST: Game Tied at 1.  SHOTS: Lumberjacks 7, Tuck 9

Dillan Pierce broke the tie with 12:30 to play in the second period on a great tic-tac-toe play that saw Braden McCarthy hit Pierce backdoor all alone.  

McDonough gave the Jacks a two goal lead with 5:16 to go in the second after stealing a puck in the corner and banking a shot off Kelley's pad from behind the goal line.  Not a great goal and one that Kelley must wish he had back.  Gray once again scored late in the period on a gorgous pass from Luke "The Sticky Bandit" Stickel who hit him driving the net for a redirection past Libbey.  

END OF THE SECOND: Lumberjacks 3, Tuck 2.  SHOTS: Lumberjacks 15, Tuck 18

Dillan "The Villain" Pierce played the part with 10:54 to play in the game, going down to one knee from a bad angle and sending a laser beam into an open net off a big rebound from Kelley.  McCarthy followed that up with his second career UVHL goal, on a nifty pass from McDonough as he wrapped around the net and hit McCarthy at the top of the crease.

Tuck's James "Ray" Bourque tapped home a goal from the same place McCarthy did, but this time on a great pass from Aiden "Rocky" Balboni from the near corner.  Tuck pressed hard for the rest of the game against a GASSED Lumberjack's squad who did everything they could to keep the 2 goal lead.  A pair of penalties on Pierce(Checking) and Miraldi(Checking) left them killing a 5 on 3.  Libbey was awesome and kept the biscuit out of the basket.  McDonough capped his solid night with an empty netter and the Jacks rolled to a 6-3 win.

FINAL: Lumberjacks 6, Tuck 3.  SHOTS: Lumberjacks 26, Tuck 38

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