July 28, 2011 – Game Recap
Tribe -3 Rink Dawgs – 0 (Tribe win 1-0 in a shootout)
In a must win game, the Tribe press the Rink Dawgs hard in game #2 of the playoffs. After playing their best game of the season, the Rink Dawgs came out flat in this one. The Dawgs knew the Tribe were too good a team to take lightly, but they did not show the same intensity as game 1.
The Dawgs really struggled to find their offense in the game, they were given a few good opportunities . None better then when, on a 3 on 1 David “Superman” Silva, fed Andrew “Silk Hands” Lazaridis in the high slot and with a quick look up and a perfect fake found Carm “The Coach” DiLuciano all alone breaking down the left side. With not much room and cinder blocks for hands, Carm made a move and got a decent shot on goal, but the keeper kept it out.
Sensing how important the first goal of the game was going to be, both teams were a little nervous in their own ends. If not for the great goaltending by Gino “The Cat” Caputo, the Tribe would have broken the game wide open in the first. The shot totals were a lopsided 17-6 for the Tribe, but with Gino shutting the door, he gave the Rink Dawgs an even slate to start the second.
YCBHL Turning point of the game:
The second half was much like the first, the Tribe came out aggressive and were rewarded with 2 goals in a span of 24 seconds just 43 seconds in. The first came on some bad defensive zone coverage, as the Dawgs managed to watch a Tribe player behind the goal find a teammate all alone at the top of the crease, leaving Gino no chance. On the next shift, the Dawgs looked like they had coverage in their zone, when #00 of the Tribe found a streaking #21 and with a player in his hip pocket managed to redirect short side on Gino, making the score 2-0.
The Dawgs would try to push back, but just could not muster up anymore really great chances. The Tribe would add another powerplay goal late to seal the victory, to tie the series at 1-1 and force the immediate sudden death 5:00 overtime period to decide who advances to round 2 of the playoffs.
The Rink Dawgs marched out veteran David Silva to take the first shot. David would move in down the left side and eyeing the top corner glove side, ripped a shot off the crossbar. On the other end, Gino would close the door on the first shooter. Next up was Tommy “Rampage” Kolkas, who came in on the goalie and looking 5-hole snapped a shot that found the goalies pads. The Tribe shooter was the speedy #16, who flew in on Gino and snapped one pass him to put them up 1-0 with 3 shooters to go each.
Next up for the Dawgs was Captain Bruce “Kung Fu” Tiam-Fook, who is tied with David Silva for 1st on their all-time goals list with 38. Bruce would work his way in and shoot one on the open side, the Referee looked like he was going to signal goal at first but for some reason waved it off. Bruce and most of the Rink Dawgs bench were certain that it went in. But the Ref’s call stood, NO GOAL!! Gino on the other end stood tall and stopped the dangerous Marc Gardiman. The 4th shooter fo the Rink Dawgs was Donny “Dangles” Lagos and he would dangle only to get robbed by the keeper. Once again Gino held the fort on the other end, forcing the Dawgs to score with their final shooter.
The man choosen to try and extend the Rink Dawgs season was Andrew “Silk Hands” Lazaridis, who earned that nickname for moments like this. He approached the net slow and steady and as he moved in, Gino Caputo would stop the Tribe’s 5th shooter on the other end. With ALL eyes on Andrew now, he faked to his backhand, brought it back to his forehand and with the keeper slightly out of position looked to have room to slide it in, but the goalie recovered and made a remarkable game and season ending saving against the Dawgs.
It was an awful way to lose a playoff series, but in the end the better team won. The Rink Dawgs may have one more chance at a provincial spot in late August. They may be able to enter a last chance qualifier, in a single elimination format. Keep posted for more news on that.
Game Stats: (Including overtime)
Shots: Tribe 32 – Rink Dawgs 19
Powerplay: 0 for 1
Penaltykill: 3 for 4
Player(s) of the Game:
Gino Caputo 29 saves
Peter Lorefice with great hustle as always
Antonio Geraci played hard, even with a pulled adductor magnus muscle





