UPPER VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE

Pre-Game Report: December 18th, 2024 – Gamblers @ Mustangs

ODDS:	Mustangs By 1
OVER/UNDER:	6.5 Goals

Date: Wednesday, December 18th, 2024
Time: 9:20 PM
Location: Mustang Ice Barn

Records:

• Gamblers (4-1-2) – 3-game losing streak (2 straight shootout losses)


• Mustangs (2-5-0) – Still glowing from their miracle 3-0 shutout over the Gamblers last month.

SERIES RECORD: Gamblers Lead 4-1

• Last Meeting: Mustangs 3, Gamblers 0 (Nov 20th, 2024)

The Stakes

The Gamblers are in full meltdown mode after a 3-game skid, looking more like a group of toddlers trying to share crayons than the early-season juggernaut they were. Meanwhile, the Mustangs—fresh off a gut-check season—sit near the bottom of the standings but have somehow owned the Gamblers this season.

In a rematch of last month’s 3-0 shocker, the Mustangs look to prove their dominance wasn’t a fluke. The Gamblers, on the other hand, are desperate to stop the bleeding, rediscover their swagger, and remind the Mustangs that men’s league miracles come but once.

 
Keys to the Game

For the Gamblers:

• Stop Farr-ing Around: Colin “The Farr Wall” Farr has been a one-man brick wall against the Gamblers. They need traffic, screens, and something other than their usual strategy of “close your eyes and hope.”


• Remember How to Score: Three straight games without a regulation win? Embarrassing. Ryan “Thing 2” LaCroix and Topo “Thing 1” LaCroix need to remember their roots—turnovers, sneaky goals, and general chaos.


• End the Slump: Losing to the Lumberjacks and Whalers in shootouts is one thing, but losing twice to the Mustangs? That’s the kind of shame that sends teams to therapy.

For the Mustangs:

• Ride the Wall: Colin “The Farr Wall” Farr will need another monster night, but he thrives on making the Gamblers look stupid. He’s already in their heads—just let him live there rent-free.


• Sabky Magic: Jamal “The Sultan of Sabky” Sabky has quietly become the heartbeat of this team. If he gets time and space, look for him to dish apples like it’s a holiday pie giveaway.


• Defend with Your Life: The Mustangs’ defense has been a comedy show this season, but they locked it down last time. If the Gambler's Zach “Tinder Tickler” Aher gets another free pass through the zone, things could get ugly fast.

Players to Watch

Gamblers:

• Ryan “Thing 2” LaCroix: Leading the team with 6 goals, but he’s been snake-bitten lately. Can he snap out of it?


• Evan “Showtime” Cline: Still the league’s top goalie statistically (2.00 GAA), but the Mustangs made him look human last time.


• Zach “The Tinder Tickler” Aher: Known more for sliding on the ice and turning pucks over than for his actual defensive play. Will he redeem himself? Probably not.

Mustangs:

• Colin “The Farr Wall” Farr: Coming off a heroic 41-save shutout against the Gamblers. Can he do it again? Vegas says yes.


• Schuyler “Saint” St. Germaine: The spark plug who burned Aher last time. Expect more speed, skill, and chirps.


• Jamal “The Sultan of Sabky” Sabky: Tied for 7th in league scoring, Sabky is as crafty as a fox and just as dangerous.
   

Quotes from Around the League

• Evan Cline (Gamblers): “Farr is good, but lightning doesn’t strike twice. We’ll put pucks past him this time.”


• Colin Farr (Mustangs): “They’ve been trying to score on me for 60 minutes. It’s adorable.”


• Jamal Sabky (Mustangs): “We beat ‘em once, we’ll beat ‘em again. And Aher can polish the ice while he’s at it.”


• Ryan LaCroix (Gamblers): “I’ll score twice tonight... unless Aher feeds another one to the Mustangs.”
   

Odds & Predictions

• Moneyline: Gamblers -180, Mustangs +200


• Over/Under: 6.5 Goals


• Prop Bets:
  
  
  
  • Farr to make 40+ saves (+300)
  
  
  • Aher to commit a game-changing turnover (-200)
  
  
  • Sabky to notch 2+ points (+250)
  
  
  
  

Prediction:

The Gamblers’ pride is on the line, and they’ll throw everything but the Zamboni at Farr. But the Mustangs have the momentum and a goalie who’s living rent-free in their heads. This one’s going to OT, where the Mustangs will win again because... why not?

Final Score Prediction: Mustangs 3, Gamblers 2 (OT).

 
Final Word

This matchup has turned into a rivalry nobody saw coming. The Gamblers are the “better” team on paper, but in reality, they’ve been the Mustangs’ punching bag all season. If the Mustangs pull off another upset, we might need to check if Farr is actually a superhero. Strap in, folks. This is gonna be fun.

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Team:	Time:	Type:	Player:	Details:
1st PERIOD
GMB	06:33	Penalty	Cline, Evan(1)	2 minutes for Tripping
MTG	06:23	Penalty	Parker, Dylan(1)	2 minutes for Tripping
2nd PERIOD
GMB	14:23	Penalty	Deary, Luke(1)	2 minutes for Holding
GMB	09:20	Goal	Deary, Luke(1)	Assist(s): LaCroix, Ryan(1) LaCroix, Topo(5)
GMB	07:39	Penalty	LaCroix, Ryan(4)	2 minutes for Slashing

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