RINK DAWGS!!!……You Knooow!!!

April 21, 2009 – Game Recap

Toronto Jaguars -3   Rink Dawgs – 0

This game was no different than the others this season, other than it was a do or die.  We needed to win to keep our playoff hopes alive.  We would have needed some help to get in, but we first had to beat one of the top teams in the division.  Needless to say it didn’t go that way, but once again we started the game strong considering the circumstances.

The game began with only 5 & a goalie for us but we managed to play a very strong opening 5 minutes or so considering they had an army of guys.  We actually pressed them and got some decent chances and at the same time we were able to frustrate their offense.  After all that flurry of action we got our reinforcements in, giving us 2 full lines the rest of the way.  In the end it didn’t make a difference, I don’t think we would have been able to keep them off the scoreboard anyway.  We just couldn’t sustain much pressure in their zone, which showed up in the shot totals 15-9 in favor of the Jaguars.

I am not going to make any excuses, all in all it was a disappointing season.  I am sure it is going to leave a bad taste in all of our mouths.  So in closing, Bruce & I would like to thank all of you for the hard work you put in and hopefully this season will have prepared us for what’s up ahead.  We will get in contact with each of you in a couple weeks to go over details for the summer season.

Game Stats:

Shots: Toronto Jaguars  15  -  Rink Dawgs  9
Powerplay: 0 for 1
Penaltykill: 1 for 1

Player(s) of the game:

Again, not for a lack of effort but nothing to show for it

April 20, 2009 – Game Recap

Saints -6    Rink Dawgs – 2

This was a game of 2 completely different halves of hockey.  It started with us mounting descent and consistent pressure, which we carried all period long.  We traded chances back and forth untill they took a 2-1 lead midway through the first.  After a number of scoring opportunities, Andrew Lazaridis scored a brilliant goal dekeing two of their players and snapping one upstairs to tie the game up at 2.

I am not quite sure what happened to us in the second half, it just seemed like we could not get a bounce to go our way.  We had a four minute powerplay opportunity early in the half and like most of the season we failed to capitalize.  The first 2 minutes of that PP, we seemed to have good control but we didn’t do a good job of getting shots through.  In the second part of the powerplay was were the TSN turning point took place.  Tony Rowe lost the ball at the point giving them a breakaway in which they scored.  On the very next shift I (Carm DiLuciano) gave the ball away in our zone allowing them to score a 2nd shorthanded within 1 minute,  a shot that Pat Lucas would like to have back.

After that disastrous powerplay the wheels fell off and we lost our confidence.  They went on to score 2 more times in the half making the final 6-2.  We left that game feeling we played decently, I think it was our highest shot output of the season with 26 but once again we came up on the wrong end of the scoresheet.  If it is any consolation, with that the victory the Saints moved into first place which showed that we can keep pace with the good teams.

Game Stats:

Shots: Saints  34  -  Rink Dawgs  26
Powerplay: 0 for 4
Penaltykill: none

Player(s) of the game:
Tony Rowe  2 A
Mark Krupa & Andrew Lazaridis each with a goal

Guys the make up game has been rescheduled, please see the remaining games and playoff possibilities below

Mon. April 20 @ 8:00pm – Pinepoint Arena
Tues April 21 @ 8:00pm – Cltatworthy

Playoff schedule: All teams play on both dates listed, times will vary based on seating.

Wed April 22 @ either 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30 – Rinx
Tues April 28 @ either 7:30, 8:30 or 9:30 – Rinx

April 13, 2009 – Game Recap

North Stars – 4   Rink Dawgs – 0

First off, it was nice to see a full squad show up for a change.  Considering the improtance of the next 2 games, I hope that we have a similar commitment. As far as the game goes, I thought we gave a solid effort but once again our offense sputtered.  We only managed a total of 6 shots the entire game, I don’t think I have ever seen a team win a game with so few shots on goal.

Needless to say most of the game was spent in our own end, with the North Stars outshooting us 20-6.  We have to give credit to them, they played a really strong physical and positional game.  It seemed like we could not even clear our zone at times and when we did we were not able to mount a decent attack.

As mentioned earlier,  there are only 2 games left and Wednesday’s is against the ML Warriors who we are trying to catch for that final playoff spot.  They are only a point ahead of us in the standings, so I don’t need to say how critical that game is.  I know there was some tension in the room after the loss last night,  some of it warranted but for the most part us a TEAM we haven’t played up to our capabilities.  So take a look in  the mirror boys and come out with some energy and anger tomorrow night.

Game Stats:

Shots: North Starts  20  -  Rink Dawgs 6
Powerplay: none
Penaltykill: 1 for 1

Player(s) of the game:

Not for a lack of effort, but each one of their guys outplayed each of ours.

Guys I am still pretty pissed off that we only had 5 guys show up last Monday, so please pay attention to the schedule.  We have 2 games next week, Monday April 13th @ 11:00pm (Rinx) and Wednesday April 15th @ 7:55pm (Miliken Mills).  If you are not able to make it let me or Bruce know.

Also of note, through Bruce’s hard work from oversees while on business.  Tommy Kolkas’s suspension was reduced to 2 games, therefore is eligible to return along with Tony Rowe for next weeks games.

April 07, 2009 – Game Recap

Rink Dawgs – 4   Rolling Stoners – 4

So here’s how it went last night, I am sitting around waiting for our game to start at 11:oopm. I see Patrick, who has been there since 7:00pm and shortly after I arrived Dan shows up.  Then at about 10:45 David appears, followed by the birthday boy Antonio.  The clock strikes 11 o’clock and we still only have 5 guys, not enough to even start the game.

So we took our time getting ready in hopes that one more body would show up, to our dismay no other Rink Dawg arrived.  Luckily for us Jeff (the convenor) found us a guy lurking around the arena to keep us from forefitting the game and automatically costing us the 2 points and a $100 fine.   So thanks to Jeff and to the newest member of the Rink Dawgs Stefano Abbaglivo, without you we don’t even get the chance to play and earn the tie.

Game Stats:

Shots: Rolling Stoners  16  -  Rink Dawgs 15
Powerplay: 0 for 1
Penaltykill: 0 for 1

Player(s) of the game:

Stefano Abbaglivo  2 G  1A
David Silva    1G  2A
Antonio Geraci  1G  1A
Carm DiLuciano   2A
Dan Smith   2A

Honorable mention to Patrick Lucas for keeping us in the game.

April 06, 2009

What a way to celebrate your 29th Birthday Antonio,  playing the whole game with no subs!!!!

From all the Rink Dawgs we wish you all the best.

April 01,2009 – Game Recap

Bastone – 4   Rink Dawgs – 1

After receiving the news that we won our appeal with the previous, I thought that we might have come out with a little more jump this game.  I am afraid that wasn’t the case, we did not generate much of an attack all game.  The better scroing chances were in their favour, but the game was closer than the final score indicates.

It was a scoreless game midway through the first, when the Bastone capitalized on a defensive breakdown in our zone.  A minute later they took advantage of another poor defensive play making it 2-0, the score stayed that way to halftime.  In the second we defended well for the first 10 minutes, until they scored to go up 3-0.  That was pretty much the final nail in the coffin for us, we were not able to create enough chances to get back into the game.  Peter Lorefice scoed on the powerplay with :56 second left and they went on to score an empty net goal.

Game Stats:

Shots: Bastone  18  – Rink Dawgs 11
Powerplay: 0 for 1
Penaltykill: 1 for 1

Player(s) of the game:
Peter Lorefice 1G
David Silva & Andrew Lazaridis each with an assist

Eddie Mirzadeh played a strong game in goal

The protest of the game on March 23,2009 has gone in our favour.  The league awarded us the 2-0 victory for our appeal of the incident that occured during that game.  I don’t like to win this way and it doesn’t mean we deserved the 2 points but to have one of our players and friend nearly get seriously injured, something needed to be done.

The player responsible for the incident has been given a lifetime suspension from the league and I believe rightfully so.  We are still waiting to hear the results for our appeal on Tom Kolkas’s 6 game suspension for the headbutt.

March 23,2009 – Game Recap

Pushas – 4  Rink Dawgs – 2

This game featured one of the worst incidents I have seen in a ball hockey game in my 15 years of playing the game.  This was a chippy game that seem to be slowly getting out of hand as every minute went by.

For the better part of the game the Pushas were taking the play to us, it seemed like we didn’t have enough gas to keep up with them.  As I mentioned earlier the game got chippy and the referees started to lose control of the game.

With us on on the powerplay, Tom Kolkas was tripped up by one of the Pushas and retaliated with a mild headbutt. I didn’t feel it was a vicious attack or an attempt to injure, but a headbutt is headbutt and Tom was assessed a 5 minute major, game ejection and 6 game suspension.

Just as the game was coming to an end, with about 40 secs left to play.  I got into a pushing match with one of their players when a #17 on the Pushas came in to assist his teammate.  We exchanged verbal pleasantries and I guess I struck a nerve with him and in response he speared me.  In reaction to that, Tony Rowe punch the guy in the face with his gloves still on.  After that we couldn’t believe what we saw, #17 took his stick and two-handed Tony across the head!!  Thank god he got most of his helmet and not his face.  Needless to say a melee began and thankfully for all parties involved, no one was seriously injured.

The other players on the Pushas agreed that the incident was totally unjustifiable and had no place in the game.  To make matters worse,  the player who swung his stick was not technically eligable to play in the game becuase he had not sign the player registration form with the Pushas.  This lead us to protest the game, not because we lost but because of the despicable act this guy pulled off.

Game Stats:

Shots: Pushas  17  -  Rink Dawgs 15
Powerplay: 1 for 5
Penaltykill: 2 for 2

Player(s) of the game:

Tony Rowe  1G 1A
Dan Smith 1G