RINK DAWGS!!!……You Knooow!!!

February 28, 2009

Ted Kolkas turns 33 today, well in theory he is only 8 since he was born on the 29th during a leap year.

Regardless, from all the members of the Rink Dawgs we would like to wish you a Happy Birthday!!

February 24, 2009 – Game Recap

Rink Dawgs – 1   Shockers – 0

After 4 straight losses to the Shockers, we were able to finally post a victory against them.  We needed to win this game to keep our playoff chances alive and we came up with one of our finest games of the year.  The Shockers took the game to us in the first half, outshooting us 11-2.  It didn’t help that we gave them 2 four minute powerplays in that half, thus the lopsided shot totals.  We were able to kill those penalties and Pat Lucas came up with big saves to keep the score knotted at zero.

In the second half we able to stay out of the box for the most part and we began to put pressure on them.  The shot total swung in our favor, with us pumping 12 shots to their 6 with many of them being quality chances.  Their goalie Cory Brake matched Pat save for save, up until the dying moments of the game.  With 1:45 left to go in the game Ted Kolkas took a 2 minute penalty for bodyslamming one of their players.  Fortunately they took a penalty 20 seconds later, making it 4 on 4 for the final 1:23.  With both teams tired, we took advantage of an odd man rush situation.  When defenseman Carm DiLuciano jumped into the play and threw a pass to a streaking Jamie Farrow who banged in the winning goal with 26 seconds left in the game.  We were able to hold them off the rest of the way to earn the win.

Game Stats:

Shots: Shockers 17 – Rink Dawgs 14
Powerplay: 0 for 2
Penaltykill: 6 for 6

Player(s) of the game:
Pat Lucas   17 saves for the shutout
Jamie Farrow  1G (Game Winner)
Carm DiLuciano  1A (Good Defensive effort)

Notable mention to the penaltykill going 6 for 6, all in all a great defensive effort.

Guys please make note that the final playoff game that was originally scheduled for Tuesday March 3rd @ 7:55pm is now changed to Thurday March 5th @ 9:40pm, still to be played at the Hanger.

February 22, 2009 – Game Recap

T.O Phantoms – 6 Rink Dawgs – 2

We were even lucky to get this game underway as you can see by the title.  We only had 5 guys and a goalie, and to boot Andrew Lazaridis forgot to bring his helmet.  After some scrounging around by Harold the convenor he  was able to locate one for us thankfully, otherwise we were looking to play the entire game short a man!!

Despite our circumstances, we played a hell of a game.  We had many good scoring chances but just couldn’t put a couple more past the goalie.  It didn’t help that we had to kill 6 penalties without a bench, which really took it’s toll on us in the end.  Great effort regardless and for all those who missed the game, I expect you all to buy a round for those who showed up!!

Game Stats:

Shots: T.O Phantoms 21 – Rink Dawgs 10
Powerplay: 1 for 4
Penaltykill: 5 for 6

Player(s) of the game:

All 5 players who showed up and gave it their all!!

February 19, 2009 – Game Recap

North Stars – 7   Rink Dawgs – 1

Looking at the score, you would think that we played terrible but for the most part we played a good game.  In the first half I thought we really stayed with them, they had more of the better scoring chances and if it wasn’t for Pat standing on his head the score could have been a lot worse by the end of the half.  They were able to score 3 goals in a span of 2 minutes, the last 2 coming only 8 seconds apart.  A few mental break downs in our defensive zone coverage gave them their opportunities and they were able to capitalize.  I was pleased with the way we continued to compete after the quick goals.  We earned a powerplay late in the half and then Bruce tipped in a point shot from Martin with only 33 seconds left to make the score 3-1.

The second half started out about the same, with them continuing to get scoring chances and once again Pat kept us in the game.  Three minutes into the half I was called for an errant  highstick, completely accidental but a 4 minute penalty either way.  They went on to score twice on the powerplay and used that momentum to take over the game.  It was an awful feeling sitting in the box, especially when we were playing so hard to get back into the game.  In the end we were outclassed by the North Stars, we managed only 9 shots all game and couldn’t make good passes through the neutral zone.

I expect we will play a better all around game next time out and if Pat continues to play well, we’ll have a chance to win every game.

Game Stats:

Shots: North Stars  23  -  Rink Dawgs 9
Powerplay: 1 for 1
Penaltykill: 1 for 3

Player(s) of the game:

Pat Lucas made 23 saves many of them difficult stops and I thought Ted Kolkas played a good power forward type game.

Hey Boys, as you know the srping season is starting this week Thursday Feb 19th @ 10:00pm at the Rinx.  I have posted the link in the schedules section so please have a look and make note of the games.  Watch the last 2 games on the sked, they are not played at the Rinx.  if you have any problems viewing the link please contact Carm or Bruce

Also, I understand that I may have misinformed you guys on the playoff game this Sunday the 22nd.  The game is at 9:30pm and not (AM) at the Hanger, please let us know if you can’t make the game

February 12, 2009 – Game Recap

Shockers – 2  Rink Dawgs – 0

It seems that the Shockers have our number this season so far, defeating us for the fourth consecutive time.  Oddly enough we still have another crack at them and it could be for all the marbles when it is all said and done.  The way the playoffs are formatted, we still have an opportunity to win it all despite losing this first game.

After analyzing the game tape, it is safe to say that we did not come out with a good game plan or at least couldn’t execute what we wanted to do.  In the first half we were able to move the ball up quickly but I felt that our forwards did not do a good job of gaining the zone.  We wanted to see more dump & chase to put pressure on their defensemen, considering they only had 1 sub on the bench.

In the second half, it was the opposite problem we encountered.  Our forwards were now able to gain the zone easier and started sustaining some pressure, the issue now was that our defense was too tired to join the play allowing the Shockers to easily get out of there zone.  It wasn’t for a lack of opportunities that we lost the game, we just couldn’t score on some of our good chances and they were able to on theirs.

Needless to say we have to come out with our best efforts in the next 3 games or we will end up bridesmaids this year.

Game Stats:

Shots: Rink Dawgs 14  -  Shockers 13
Powerplay: none
Penaltykill: 1 for 1

Player(s) of the game:

Not that we played that poorly or got outplayed that bad, just had nothing to show for it.

February 05, 2009 – Game Recap

Rink Dawgs – 11  Young Gunz – 2

Not the type of game we wanted to play in to finish up the regular season, but we’ll take the win of course.  It was our first contest against the Young Gunz this season and they proved to be no match for us.

We completely dominated the whole game and it certainly showed up on the scoreboard, with our highest goal output of the season.  It’s easy in a game like that to try and be too cute sometimes, but I am glad to see that we gave up very few opportunities to them.

Game Stats:

Shots: Rink Dawgs 32  -  Young Gunz 11
Powerplay: 0 for 1
Penaltykill: none

Player(s) of the game:
David Silva  3G 4A
Bruce Tiam-Fook  2G 4A
Ted Kolkas  3G  3A
Joe Lucas  2G 3A

All 8 players had atleast 2 points in the game and many players were given the opportunity to play different positions.

February 03, 2009 – Game Recap

Shockers – 4 Rink Dawgs – 2

We had a much better showing than the 2 preivous losses against the Shockers, where they had outscored us by a combined score of 12-2.   We were in this game from start to finish and managed to out shoot them 15-12.  They had a 3-2 lead late in the second half when we got a powerplay opportunity, but we’re not able to capitalize and they scored an empty net goal.

All in all it was a very good effort against the first place team, I think they realize now that they will not be able to take us lightly heading into the playoffs.  As long as we continue to work harder than our opponents and get lots of shots on goal, we should find ourselves in a good position to win hockey games.

Game Stats:

Shots: Rink Dawgs 15 – Shockers 12
Powerplay: 0 for 1
Penaltykill: 2 for 3

Player(s) of the Game:
Jamie Farrow 1G 1A
Ted Kolkas 1G

Notable mention to Mark Krupa & Andrew Lazaridis each with 1 assist, also to the short bench we had for a good defensive effort.