UPPER VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE

Post-Game Recap: Gamblers 5, Tuck 4 (SO)

What do you get when you mix sloppy defense, tantrum-worthy penalties, and a sprinkle of shootout drama? A Gamblers vs. Tuck matchup for the ages. The Gamblers barely held on for a 5-4 shootout win after a chaotic night that featured everything from dazzling goals to a commissioner-sized meltdown.

First Period: Gamblers Come Out Swinging

The Gamblers wasted no time asserting their dominance. Just 66 seconds in, Max Woods sauced a cross-crease pass to Billy Rivellini, who buried it like it was his day job. “Honestly, it felt like I was playing with a cheat code,” said Rivellini post-game while casually sipping a Capri Sun.

• Gamblers 1, Tuck 0 (13:54): Woods sets up Rivellini for the backdoor tap-in.


• Gamblers 2, Tuck 0 (12:55): Topo "Thing 1" LaCroix cleaned up his own rebound after a Tuck defensive miscue. Brother Ryan "Thing 2" LaCroix set the table with some classic sibling telepathy.


• Gamblers 3, Tuck 0 (8:10): Woods again, this time picking up a turnover and rifling a wrister high blocker side. “I wasn’t even aiming,” admitted Woods. “I just blacked out and shot.”


• Gamblers 4, Tuck 0 (6:04): Rivellini struck again with a laser from the high slot. Jenkins Marshall probably wants this one back, but hey, even a brick wall has cracks.


• Tuck 1, Gamblers 4 (5:02): Maclean Lalor embarrassed the Gamblers’ forwards-turned-defense with a slick deke and a smooth backhander past Evan "Showtime" Cline. “I just wanted to remind everyone who’s really in charge,” said Lalor.

Despite a 4-1 lead, the Gamblers looked shaky as the period ended, and Jenkins Marshall made two huge stops to keep Tuck alive.

Second Period: Tuck's Turn to Shine

• Tuck 2, Gamblers 4 (10:54): A power play goal from David Husband pulled Tuck closer. Lalor’s point shot was stopped, but Husband cleaned up the rebound like a responsible adult doing dishes.


• Tuck 3, Gamblers 4 (4:24): Mikey Yablong went full sniper mode, curling out of the corner and sniping low blocker side. “Thanks for leaving the lane wide open, guys,” said Yablong, presumably to the Gambler’s penalty killers.

The period’s lowlight was Luke "The Nuke" Webster taking a ridiculous 5-minute boarding penalty. “Look, I’m not saying Sully didn’t deserve it,” Webster explained. “But yeah, I probably shouldn’t have hit him into next week.”

Third Period: The Comeback is Complete

• Tuck 4, Gamblers 4 (5:56): Matthew Ouellette turned a broken stick play into a soccer clinic, kicking the puck to Husband for the game-tying one-timer. “I didn’t know we were playing the World Cup,” quipped Cline.

With tensions high, Gambler’s captain Will "The Angry" Meyer lost his cool, earning back-to-back penalties for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct. “I’m the commissioner—I do what I want!” screamed Meyer, who was reportedly fined a six-pack of Bud Light by the league.

Shootout: Gamblers Hold On

Tuck Shooter: Nicholas Sullivan – No Goal
Gamblers Shooter: Max Woods – Goal
Tuck Shooter: Maclean Lalor – No Goal
Gamblers Shooter: Billy Rivellini – Goal

The Gamblers escaped with the win, thanks to their shootout stars. “It was ugly, but we’ll take it,” said Rivellini, who now has a petition to rename the league after him.

Final Thoughts:

This one had it all—offensive fireworks, defensive disasters, and enough drama to last a lifetime. The Gamblers remain atop the standings, while Tuck continues to prove they can hang with the best...sometimes. As for Meyer, let’s hope he’s calmed down before next week.