UPPER VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE

Gamblers Look to Rebound With Win Over Whalers

ODDS:	Gamblers By 2
OVER/UNDER:	6.5 Goals

Pre-Game Report: Whalers (2-2-0) @ Gamblers (4-1-0)
Date: Wednesday, December 4th, 2024
Time: 9:20 PM
Location: Gambler Ice Arena

---

Matchup Overview:

Round 83 of the Whalers vs. Gamblers rivalry is upon us, and if history is any indicator, the Gamblers have all the chips stacked in their favor. The series stands at a staggering 62-20 in favor of the Gamblers, who look to extend their dominance after a methodical 3-1 win over the Whalers on October 23rd.

The Whalers have been inconsistent this season, balancing moments of brilliance with defensive breakdowns. On the flip side, the Gamblers remain a powerhouse with a deep lineup and Evan “Primetime” Cline anchoring things in net.

This game isn’t just about bragging rights—it’s about climbing the standings. The Whalers sit at 2-2-0, looking to overtake the Gamblers (4-1-0) for first place. Can the Whalers avenge their earlier loss, or will the Gamblers deal them another losing hand?

---

Team Stats:

Team	W-L-SOL	GF	GA	GD	PP%	PIMs	Assists
Gamblers	4-1-0	17	9	+8	1	30	26
Whalers	2-2-0	20	19	+1	2	10	29

The Gamblers boast a league-best goal differential (+8), while the Whalers have struggled to keep pucks out of their net, allowing 19 goals through four games. This matchup pits the Gamblers' steady defensive play against the Whalers' sometimes frenetic offensive style.

---

Key Players to Watch:

Gamblers:

• Ryan “Thing 2” LaCroix (5 points): The engine of the Gamblers’ offense, LaCroix torched the Whalers for a hat trick in their last meeting and has been a thorn in their side for years.


• Evan “Primetime” Cline: Sporting a stellar 1.8 GAA, Cline has been as reliable as Wi-Fi in a coffee shop. If he’s on his game, the Whalers are in for a long night.


• Matt “The Milkman” Marrazzo (6 points): Because he always delivers, especially when the Gamblers need a clutch goal.

Whalers:

• Dan “The Man” VeNard (6 points): The captain does it all for the Whalers, but his questionable defensive plays have cost his team before. He’ll need to tighten up his game against the Gamblers' relentless forecheck.


• Ezra “The Walk” Mock (8 points): Mock is tied for 5th in league scoring and leads the Whalers' attack. He’ll need to bring his A-game to crack Cline’s armor.


• Jered “The Conman” Condon: The Whalers’ netminder was sharp in the last meeting but will want a few of those goals back. Look for him to rebound in a big way.

---

Quotes from Around the League:

• Evan Cline: “They call me ‘Primetime’ for a reason. I’ll let my pads do the talking.”


• Dan VeNard: “We’ve got something special planned for the Gamblers tonight. Spoiler: it’s effort.”


• Topo LaCroix: “Thing 2 is the star, but Thing 1’s got some tricks left, too. Watch out, Whalers.”

---

Odds & Predictions:

• Moneyline: Gamblers -175, Whalers +140


• Over/Under: 6.5 goals


• Prop Bets:
  
  
  
  • Ryan “Thing 2” LaCroix to score 2+ goals (+250)
  
  
  • Ezra “The Walk” Mock to record 3+ points (+200)
  
  
  • Evan “Primetime” Cline to make 30+ saves (+180)
  
  
  
  

Prediction: The Whalers’ firepower will make this a close game, but the Gamblers’ balanced attack and Cline’s goaltending give them the edge. Final score prediction: Gamblers 4, Whalers 2.

---

Storylines to Watch:

1. 
   

   Can the Whalers Solve Cline?
   The Whalers fired 23 shots in the last meeting but could only beat Cline once. Mock and VeNard need to find ways to generate high-danger chances.

   
   


2. 
   

   Gamblers’ Transition Game:
   The LaCroix brothers, along with Max Woods, thrive on creating offense from turnovers. Can the Whalers avoid gifting them scoring opportunities?

   
   


3. 
   

   Discipline or Disaster:
   The Whalers have the best power play in the league, and the Gamblers can’t afford to give them chances with lazy penalties.

   
   

---

Final Word:

The Whalers have shown they can hang with the Gamblers, but history—and the Gamblers’ top-end talent—suggests they’ll have the upper hand again. Expect an intense game full of turnovers, trash talk, and maybe even a scuffle or two. Don’t blink, UVHL fans—this one should be electric! ????

Whalers Shock the World with Shootout Win.

Game Recap: Whalers 4, Gamblers 3 (SO)
Date: December 4th, 2024
Location: Gambler Ice Arena

---

Shorthanded Whalers Stun Gamblers in Shootout Thriller

The Whalers (3-2-1) pulled off a shocking shootout victory over the heavily favored Gamblers (4-1-1) in a game that will be remembered for gutsy play, heroic goaltending, and just the right amount of chaos. Missing key players, including the Boonyaharn brothers, Ezra Mock, and most of their defensive core, the Whalers dressed just eight skaters but still managed to outlast the Gamblers.

The victory was sealed by Dan “Fenton the Menace” Fenton, whose slick forehand-backhand move in the shootout put the Gamblers to bed and sent Whalers fans into a frenzy.

---

1st Period: Trading Goals and Gaffes

The Whalers didn’t let their shorthanded status slow them down, striking first in a wild opening period:

• 1-0 Whalers (14:47): Zach “The Tinder Tickler” Aher made a gift-wrapped turnover to start the game, leading to Ean “It Ain’t” Small setting up Ben “The Roux Chef” Rouillard for an easy tap-in. Cline could only shake his head in disbelief, muttering something about "needing a refund on his defense."

The Gamblers bounced back with their signature blend of chaos and brute force:

• 
  

  1-1 Gamblers (8:47): A HORRENDOUS rebound from Jered “The Barrel Roll” Condon landed on the stick of Luke Webster, who bullied his way past Dan “The Man” VeNard to bury the equalizer. It was the kind of goal that makes highlight reels—for all the wrong reasons.

  
  


• 
  

  2-1 Gamblers (6:31): Billy “The Rivet” Rivellini broke in alone, faked forehand, and slid to his backhand for a goal so smooth that Condon might’ve been spinning in slow motion. By the time Condon finished his dramatic “barrel roll save attempt,” Rivellini was already sipping water on the bench.

  
  

The Whalers refused to go quietly:

• 2-2 Whalers (1:32): VeNard redeemed himself with a beautiful cross-ice feed to Rouillard, who netted his second of the game.

End of the 1st: Whalers 2, Gamblers 2
Shots: Whalers 14, Gamblers 18

---

2nd Period: Goalie Showdown

The second period turned into a battle of the netminders, with both Cline and Condon stepping up:

• Condon made huge saves on Spencer “The Flying Hawaiian” Zaha, Rivellini, and Matty “The Milkman” Marrazzo, showing flashes of brilliance amidst his earlier chaos.


• Cline stood tall against multiple breakaways, including Dan “The Feline” Fenton’s partial 2-on-0 and a point-blank shot from Small.

The Whalers took the lead late in the period:

• 3-2 Whalers (2:23): Nate “Sniper” Robinson won a faceoff cleanly, and after a chaotic bounce in the slot, Robinson regained possession and fired high glove side to beat Cline.

The Gamblers couldn’t convert on their only power play of the game, managing zero shots while the Whalers somehow controlled play shorthanded.

End of the 2nd: Whalers 3, Gamblers 2
Shots: Whalers 30, Gamblers 32

---

3rd Period: Gamblers Fight Back

The Gamblers tied the game midway through the third:

• 3-3 Gamblers (11:07): Off a faceoff win, Ray “The Rocket” Nolan’s point shot ricocheted off the end boards to Aaron “Damn Man” Damren, who tapped it past Condon, who seemed to momentarily forget how to move laterally.

The Whalers nearly stole the game late when VeNard set up Rouillard for a one-timer that Cline somehow snagged with a diving glove save.

End of Regulation: Whalers 3, Gamblers 3
Shots: Whalers 44, Gamblers 47

---

Shootout: Fenton Steals the Show

The shootout was a tense, back-and-forth affair until Dan “Fenton the Menace” Fenton ended it with authority:

1. WHL Small: Save by Cline.


2. GMB Meyer: Save by Condon.


3. WHL Chiasson: Save by Cline.


4. GMB Rivellini: Save by Condon.


5. WHL Rouillard: Save by Cline.


6. GMB Marrazzo: Save by Condon.


7. WHL Fenton: Goal, forehand-backhand five-hole magic.


8. GMB Collins: Save by Condon.

---

Final Score:

Whalers 4, Gamblers 3 (SO)

---

Three Stars:

1. Ben “The Roux Chef” Rouillard – 2 goals, 1 assist, and the heart of the Whalers’ attack.


2. Jered “The Barrel Roll” Condon – 44 saves, countless acrobatics, and a perfect shootout performance.


3. Dan “Fenton the Menace” Fenton – Shootout hero and general chaos agent.

---

Post-Game Quotes:

• Cline: “We gave them everything, including the win.”


• Condon: “The barrel roll worked... eventually.”


• VeNard: “We had 8 skaters and still made them look bad. Call us the Mighty Eight.”

---

The Aftermath:

The Whalers proved that heart and hustle can sometimes outshine depth, while the Gamblers were left to rue missed chances and lackluster special teams. This one goes down as a moral victory for the Whalers—and a wake-up call for the Gamblers.

Moral of the night: Never count out a team with Rouillard, VeNard, and a goalie willing to risk it all on a barrel roll.

 

Team:	Time:	Type:	Player:	Details:
1st PERIOD
WHL	14:47	Goal	Rouillard, Ben (2)	Assist(s): Small, Ean(6)
GMB	08:47	Goal	Webster, Luke (2)	Assist(s): Deary, Luke(1) Bergeron, Ryan(1)
GMB	06:31	Goal	Rivellini, Billy(3)	Assist(s): LaCroix, Topo(4) Bergeron, Ryan(2)
WHL	01:32	Goal	Rouillard, Ben (3)	Assist(s): VeNard, Dan(5)
2nd PERIOD
WHL	02:23	Goal	Robinson, Nate(1)	Assist(s): Christian, Scott(2) Rouillard, Ben (6)
WHL	01:38	Penalty	VeNard, Dan(2)	2 minutes for Tripping
3rd PERIOD
GMB	11:07	Goal	Damren , Aaron (2)	Assist(s): Meyer, Will(5) Nolan, raymond(1)
SHOOTOUT
WHL	1	Small, Ean		SAVE BY Evan Cline
GMB	2	Meyer, Will		SAVE BY Jered Condon
WHL	3	Chiasson, Brandon		SAVE BY Evan Cline
GMB	4	Rivellini, Billy		SAVE BY Jered Condon
WHL	5	Rouillard, Ben		SAVE BY Evan Cline
GMB	6	Marrazzo, Matt		SAVE BY Jered Condon
WHL	7	Fenton, Dan		GOAL Scored on Evan Cline
GMB	8	Collins, Sean		SAVE BY Jered Condon

LOG IN:
Username:		You must be logged into your Forum account to leave game comments. Please log in to the right to add your Brilliant Diatribes & Thunderous Verbal Attacks about this game.
Password:
	forget username / password? create account

Game Comments: