UPPER VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE

Gamblers Betting on Big Win Over Lumberjacks

The Gamblers are riding a 3 game win streak after dropping a pair of tough 1 goal losses to the Whalers (3-2) and Tuck (4-3) in mid November.  Last week they dismantled the lowly Mustangs 9-0 in a career night for Max "Tiger" Woods (3g + 3a).  They received exceptional goaltending fom Evan "Showime" Cline who frustrated the Mustangs at every turn.

The Lumberjacks, like the Mustangs have major issues in their own end.  From spotty goaltending to horrific defensive play, they've gone from a perrenial contenter to a team without an identity.  Jordy "McBreakaway" McGee has been good (4g + 8a in 7 gp), and "Thrillin'" Dillan Pierce has also put up solid numbers (4g + 5a in 5gp), but overall the team has been lacking any urgency.  Their captain, Jay "Slow as a Zamboni" Zanleoni has been hit or miss, but unlike his beard hiding his double chin, his equipment can't hide his lack of fitness.

These two teams faced off 3 weeks ago, in an 8-3 throttling by the Gamblers.  I can't imagine this one will be much better, but we're going to give the benefit of the doubt that the Lumberjacks will show up with a plan...and still lose 7-3.  

Bergeron's 4 Assists & Solid Defense Boost Gamblers Over Jacks

There were no fans but the music was rockin’ tonight as these two squads took the ice in the final game before our Christmas break. The Gamblers had a new guy, Kyle Murray-Smith, and power forward Matt Marrazzo made his return after a several week absence. The Lumberjacks were light with only 8 skaters and needed subs Nico Brands and Will McGee, who just played in the first game for the Mustangs, to fill in. The first goal was by the Lumberjacks who fired one into the top corner by a wicked one from Dillan Pierce assisted by Nico Brands and Andrew Miraldi at 9:33. Libbey made a nice save on Topo “Sweet Tip” LaCroix with his R pad on a backhanded breakaway attempt. Libbey was sharp against a barrage of Gamblers’ shots late in the 1st period. Gamblers captain Will Meyer tied it up 1-1 at 3:20 from Spencer “Kings Hawaiian” Zaha. Pierce went to the box at 0:34 for tripping, and on the PK ‘Jacks captain Jay Zaneloni made a nice shin pad block in the slot. However, the Gamblers went up 2-1 with 5 seconds left in the period on the PP when Billy Rivellini scored from Ryan “Bergie” Bergeron and Topo “Sweet Tip” LaCroix. Shots finished 16-8 for the Gamblers at the end of the period.

In the 2nd, Libbey had to come far out of his net to play the puck and then made a save backing up while still in the circle! I saw good hustle and sportsmanship by both teams in this game, and the pace was decent even with a short Lumberjacks bench. Gamblers Luke Webster went in for a hook at 11:50, and on the PK Luke Dreary made a nice tip in the neutral zone to advance a streaking Rivellini into the O-zone for a scoring chance. The ‘Jacks hit the post on the PP, but it was the Gamblers who got two more good chances on the PK. Dreary got called for a hook at 8:18 and the ‘Jacks generated two good shots on the PP. A nice pass by Topo was tipped wide by Rivellini away from Libbey in the Lumberjacks net. The ‘Jacks were ahead on shots 24-22 at 5:15, and then the Gamblers were ahead 27-24 at 3:38. It was back and forth action! Libbey had a nice stick play to stop a chance coming across the crease. Bergie made a great breakout pass to Dreary who penetrated the O-zone dropping the puck for Rivellini who scored at 0:53 to go up 3-1 for the Gamblers. Shots finished at a very even 30-28 for the Gamblers at period’s end.

In the 3rd, the first SOG didn’t come until 13:05 by the Gamblers. Cline made a great glove save at 11:01 just knocking it away. The game was being played at a really good pace and was back and forth. Bergie got called for a trip at 10:03 by referee Kelly Park and emphatically wanted me to inform everyone that “That was bullshit, Park!”. On the ensuing PP the ‘Jacks got two shots on goal and hit the post. Rivellini continued his strong play and got a shorthanded chance of his own and the G’s killed off the “bullshit” call. Zaneloni provided some good defensive coverage in front of his own net. Libbey made a NOICE! glove save on a shot in tight near the Lumberjacks net. Pierce got sent to the box again for a hook at 5:27. Bergie fed the new guy, Kyle Murray-Smith, on the PP at 4:37 for his 3rd assist of the night to put the Gamblers up 4-1 and the game out of reach. Murray-Smith made a sweeeet fucking move at the offensive blue line putting it around the defender, circling him, and retrieving the puck on the other side to go in and feed Marrazzo for the final goal with 37 seconds left. Welcome to the UVie, Kyle! Shots finished 40-35 for the Gamblers and a 5-1 score all in their favor.

MVP? It has to be Bergie with 3 assists, two of them primary assists on the PP. Rivellini played well all game and got two goals late in each of the first two periods. Opposing coaches hate that, eh.

LVP? Again, nobody sucked or cost their team the game. There were no bonehead plays or idiotic line changes in this one either (unlike the first game).

POST-GAME:

Not much to report other than that there was a 3-player Whalers sighting at Applebee’s after the first game. That’s it, boys! Keep the tradition alive! Oh… and the Mustangs have to be reminded AGAIN about their poor and inappropriate trash habits in the locker room post-game. C’mon, guys… really? You don’t know any better and haven’t been told multiple times already? Don’t ruin it for everyone else or you’ll be pariahs for fucking ever.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!  I will see you on the 10th as I’ll be down in Florida with my parents, so have a good game on the 3rd, eh.

Respectfully submitted,

McDefense, aka HKYDOC