UPPER VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE

Whalen Cup Rematch is set!

In week 3 we get our rematch of the Whalen Cup from last March which was an absolute classic as the Gamblers outlasted Tuck 2-1.  Unfortunately, the regular season champion Tuck's roster has been wiped out by graduation and they've only returned 7 players from last season.  While Tuck will be good this year, it's hard to see that they'll replace the production of Jon Carkeek(38pts in 9gp), Aidan "Rocy" Balboni(35pts in 10gp) & Luke "The Stick" Stickel(34pts in 10gp).

Their roster is still strong and after 2 games, they have 4 out of the top 5 point scorers this season in Nick "The Irish Assassin" Sullivan(7pts), Maclean Lalor(6pts), Matthew Ouellette(5pts) & Mikey "Yabba Yabba" Yablong(5pts).  

The Gambler's are led by Matty "The Mailman" Marrazzo(5pts)...he always delivers, Billy Rivellini(4pts) and Will "The Thrill" Meyer(4pts).  

The difference between these two teams is on the back end.  The Gambler's defense is strong with Sean "Copland" Collins, Ryan "The Boogeyman" Bergeron, newcomer Aaron "DAMN" Damren and Zach "I've never swiped left" Aher(0pts in 2 games played, but 37 Tinder Matches During Play).  Put those 4 in front of Evan "Primetime" Cline who was a unanimous league MVP last season and received all 1 votes.  

What Tuck has that the Gambler's don't is an elite post-game game, as they've been known to shut down Applebee's.  This post-game game has enabled them to stay positive during their first game, knowing that their 2nd game is more important.

Vegas thinks that the Gamblers are too good, too strong, and too good in net for the rebuilt Tuck Fighting Turduckens.  Gambler's win this one 5-2.

Gamblers Take Whalen Cup Rematch

In a rematch of the 2024 Whalen Cup Championship, where the Gambler's survived an extremely talented Tuck team for the 2-1.  This year was supposed to be a rebuild for Tuck after losing one of the most dynamic lines in the UVHL last year; Jon Carkeek, Luke "The Stick" Stickle and Aidan "Rocky" Balboni, but after two games, that doesn't seem to be the case.  

The Tuck Flying Turduckens battled and showcased talent from both new and returning players.  Returning this year and leading the UVHL in points is Nick "Slick Nick" Sullivan(8pts) and joined by smooth skating Matthew "The Omelette" Ouellette and the silky Mikey "Ya Belong" Yablong.  Newcomers David "Hubby" Husband, Kyle "Lock & Load" Lockwood & Maclean "Valor" Lalor.  Netminder Jenkins Marshall seems like his name should actually be Marshall Jenkins, but I don't think so.  It's weird, right?  But he's been promoted to head cage honcho after being the backup last season.

Goaltending was fantastic tonight, with Evan "Primetime" Cline stopping 35 shots en route to the win.  Marshall was just as good with 41 saves while only allowing 2 goals in the loss.  

While the first game of the night, an 8-4 win for the Whalers over the Mustangs, was a fast, fun and clean game without any penalties, this one got chippy.  Weird, that a Gambler's game got chippy as many in the Upper Valley are now saying the G-Men are the new Labatt Blues(Team from Rutland that was extremely chippy).  Tons of stickwork and body contact early in this one had the referees put out a warning to both teams.  

The first period was fast and furious with plenty of shots.  A chess match that saw the Gamblers put up 15 shots to Tuck's 13.  The Gamblers killed off a Luke "Charlotte's" Webster holding penalty halfway through the period to keep the game notted at zero, and the best chance came off UVHL legend and Mr. February in this year's UVHL calender, Will "The Thrill" Meyer, breakaway with 5 minutes to play, but Marshall turned the forehand to backhand deke to the end boards.   Meyer finally borke the tie with 48 seconds to play after Billy "River of Dreams" Rivellini caused a turnover deep in Tuck's end.  Meyer picked up the puck and quickly moved it to Rivellini heading to the slot.  Marshall couldn't contain Rivellini's shot, and nobody picked up Meyer storming the crease for the rebound.

END OF THE FIRST: Gamblers 1, Tuck 0
SHOTS: Gambler's 16, Tuck 13

Cline made a huge save early in the 2nd period on Yablong from the slot, shutting down all of his holes...becoming holeless.  Yablong rang the crossbar with a snapper from the point through a screen a couple minutes later and Marshall closed the door on a "Mad" Max Woods 2 on 1 on the next shift.  Ouellette took a Checking penalty at 5:49 that was successfully killed off by Tuck followed by a successful Gambler's penalty kill on a Topo "Thing 1" LaCroix slashing call at 3:24.  Tuck scored on the ensuing faceoff when Sullivan won the puck back to Jack "Thorny" Torney for a quick point shot that Sullivan was able to redirect past Cline to tie the game.  Just 17 seconds later Matty "The Milkman" Marrazzo always delivers, and tipped in a point shot from Sean "Copland" Collins with 55 seconds to play.  

END OF THE SECOND: Gamblers 2, Tuck 1
SHOTS: Gamblers 27, Tuck 24

The third period opened up a little bit with a total of 28 shots and a tussel when Woods went into the Tuck crease looking for a rebound and Ouellette absolutely leveled him from behind.  Very dirty and unnecessary.  Woods took exception and retaliated, garnering a pair of penalties for roughing and slashing.  To be honest, I'd be pissed too.  

The remainder of the period saw shots, but only one good scoring opportunity when Marrazzo fed Ryan "Thing 2" LaCroix heading to the net.  Marshall made a big save and Max Plonsker took a tripping call as LaCroix went crashing into the end boards.

The highlight of the third period came from the Gambler's captain who laid out in front of a Matt Goff slapshot in the closing moments of the game to preserve the 2-1 win.  Men's league hero right there, not many people have the balls (or are that stupid) to do that in Men's League.  Bravo Mr. Meyer, Bravo!

FINAL: Gamblers 2, Tuck 1
SHOTS: Gamblers 43, Tuck 36