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.

Gamblers Rediscover Defense, Bore Mustangs to Death in 1-0 Snoozefest

HOCKEY, BUT MAKE IT BORING.

There have been epic men’s league games filled with highlight-reel goals, barn-burning offense, and goaltenders melting down like cheap cheese under a heat lamp. This was not one of those games.

Instead, the Gamblers (5-1-2) and Mustangs (2-6-0) combined for exactly one goal, an embarrassing amount of defensive hockey, and enough neutral-zone congestion to make a New York City traffic jam look like a scenic drive. Final score? A mind-numbing 1-0.

This wasn’t just a low-scoring game. This was the lowest-scoring game in UVHL history. An absolute hockey Ambien. And for those keeping track, the Gamblers are now averaging just 2.875 goals per game—good for fourth out of five teams. What happened to the high-flying, run-and-gun Gamblers? Did they all take up yoga? Have they developed a crippling fear of scoring?

Regardless, Evan “The Wanderer” Cline stood on his head, Luke “The Deacon” Deary netted the only goal, and the Mustangs once again found themselves on the wrong side of history.

---

1st Period: Both Goalies Decide They Hate Fun

The first period started with promise, but soon spiraled into a gritty, goaltender duel that made old-school defensive coaches weep with joy.

• Cline was in full “roaming goalie” mode, coming way out of his crease multiple times to break up passes and attack loose pucks like a hyperactive golden retriever.


• Farr stood on his head early, making 13 saves, including a windmill robbery on Will “The Thrill” Meyer, who found himself alone in the slot after a brutal Mustang turnover by Will McGee.

The only penalties of the period were a textbook Evan Cline special, where he tripped an opponent while trying to make a save outside of his crease, followed by a Dylan Parker tripping call ten seconds later, negating the power play before it could even begin.

The Gamblers dominated possession but had nothing to show for it.

End of the 1st: Gamblers 0, Mustangs 0
Shots: Gamblers 13, Mustangs 8

2nd Period: The Only Goal (Yes, Really)

The second period was more of the same—defensive zone chess matches, clogging up the middle, and guys dumping the puck because carrying it felt like too much work.

But at 9:20, the unthinkable happened—a goal was scored.

Gamblers 1-0 – 9:20

• Topo “Thing 1” LaCroix had back-to-back glorious chances, first on a slick cut to the net, then on a rebound opportunity off the post.


• The second attempt landed right on the stick of Luke “The Deacon” Deary, who finally broke the tie by shoveling the puck into an empty net.


• Deary barely celebrated, possibly because even he was confused that a goal had actually happened.

Outside of that, nothing much else happened.

End of the 2nd: Gamblers 1, Mustangs 0
Shots: Gamblers 9, Mustangs 8

3rd Period: Cline Decides He’s Not Losing

The final period was basically a Mustang shooting gallery, except Evan Cline was bulletproof.

• The Gamblers took only TWO shots in the entire period. TWO.


• Meanwhile, the Mustangs fired 11 shots, all of which Cline casually swatted away like he was brushing off an annoying mosquito.


• Goose “Thing 2” LaCroix took a frustration penalty at 7:39 after taking exception to some Chris Warrington stickwork on a partial breakaway. Rather than letting it slide, he turned around and delivered some choice lumber of his own.  “GO TO THE BOX, TWO MINUTES, FEEL SHAME.”

The power play that followed did absolutely nothing.

As time ticked down, the Mustangs pressed hard, but Cline wasn’t letting anything past him.

End of Regulation: Gamblers 1, Mustangs 0
Shots: Gamblers 2, Mustangs 11

 
Final Score: Gamblers 1, Mustangs 0
Shots: Gamblers 24, Mustangs 27

 
3 Stars of the Game

???? Evan “The Wanderer” Cline – 27 saves, zero goals allowed, made the Mustangs question their existence.
???? Luke “The Deacon” Deary – Only goal of the game, which is apparently all it took.
???? Colin “The Farr Wall” Farr – 24 saves, deserved better.

 
Post-Game Quotes

Evan Cline on his shutout: “I had to play well. We weren’t scoring. I’ve seen more offense in a youth soccer game.”

Colin Farr on the Mustangs’ lack of finish: “One goal against should mean a win, not a loss. I feel like I just played 60 minutes for no reason.”

Topo LaCroix on being the best player on the ice without scoring: “I had chances, but Farr played out of his mind. I’m just glad I didn’t take a penalty for ‘excessive effort.’”

Gamblers Coach on the team’s lack of scoring: “We’re officially a defensive team. I don’t like it, but here we are.”

 
Final Thoughts

• Gamblers' offense is officially missing. If anyone finds it, please return to Will Meyer ASAP.


• The Mustangs deserved a better fate, but Cline was an absolute brick wall.


• Gamblers still got the win, but if they keep scoring just one goal per game, they’re going to start losing.


• Mustangs remain dead last, but at least they proved they can shut down a good team—just not beat them.

Next Up:

Gamblers try to figure out how to score again. Mustangs try to figure out how to win again. Who will succeed first? TUNE IN NEXT WEEK!

 

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

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: