RINK DAWGS!!!……You Knooow!!!

May 27, 2009 – Game Recap

Chubby Chasers – 1    Rink Dawgs – 0

Once again another very even match up between 2 teams looking for their first victory of the season and once again we came up short.  The first half featured our penalty kill at the best it has been in a long time.  Martin took a 2 minute penalty at the 9:25 mark of the first, in which Stewart made some good saves to help kill it off.  Then a minute and fifteen seconds after the penalty expired, Martin hammered a guy and received a 5 minute boarding call, a game misconduct and a 1 game suspension.  Despite all that we were able to keep them off the scoreboard and at the end of the half the shots were 11-7 in favor of the Chasers.

In the second half, we had a 4 minute powerplay opportunity of our own.  Once again we were not able to generate much in the way of good scoring chances, nor were we able to even sustain much pressure in their zone.  For the first time in a while we outshot an opponent in a half 9-8, but obviously not enough to put one by the goalie.

With a faceoff in our zone late in the game, we called a time out to organize our defensive zone coverage and breakout play.  With an opportunity to clear the zone we turned over the ball and on a shot form just inside the blueline, they hit the post and the ball bounces off of Stewart’s backside and in the net it goes with only 12 seconds to play.  We should have had a point locked up, but instead we find ourselves winless after 3 games.

Despite the slow start, we have been in every game and have improved our defensive play in each of them.  It was good to see our penalty kill do well, but we must improve on our powerplay for sure.  Look for changes in the lines and especially in the powerplay  units for next game.  Keep the your chins up and come out ready to play next week.

Game Stats:

Shots: Chubby Chasers  19  -  Rink Dawgs  16
Powerplay: 0 for 3
Penaltykill: 3 for 3

Player(s) of the game:

With 18 saves and many of them point blank, Stewart deservedly earned 3rd star of the game.  As far as the rest of the team, I felt we played a good defensive game from forwards on back to the defense.

May 20, 2009 – Game Recap

Winterhawks – 4   Rink Dawgs – 2

For the most part, the game was a pretty even match…atleast when we were playing 5 on 5.  We found ourselves in penalty trouble early and often, but so did the Winterhawks.  As both teams combined for 28 penalty minutes and there were a total of 11 powerplays in the game.  Once again our special teams let us down even though Andrew scored a powerplay goal for us, we only managed to go 1 for 6 and could not mount a steady attack.

On the other hand, the Winterhawks put on a clinic with their powerplay opportunities.  They capitalized on 3 of their 5 chances, which goes to show the importance of staying out of the penalty box.

We started the game on the wrong foot, when the Winterhawks scored on an aggressive forcheck just 1:18 into the first.  The ball was dumped in around the net and as I (Carm) got to the ball and tried to reverse it back behind the net, I placed it perfectly on the stick of their best player who stepped out and tuck it in farside on Stewart.  That wasn’t the only blunder I made, on the powerplay I tried to pass it across the blue line and once again found the stick of their best player.  On the breakaway I was able to hustle back to force him to rush a little and Stewart had to make one of his 23 saves.

With the score 1-1 late in the first period, we gave them more powerplays and they scored twice with under 48 secs to play.  The first of the 2 late goals, Stewart had no chance on.  They won the draw in our zone clean and on the point shot there was  a rebound they pounced on. The second PP goal was another shot from the point which beat him glove side, one I am sure he would love to have back.

Early in the second Andrew got his second goal of the game, thanks to some hard work by the rookie Frank Zuccaro who set him up for the second time of the game.  I thought Frank was our player of the game, not only did he assist on both our goals but he was a force with the ball in the offensive zone.

All in all it was a good effort, I thought we played well enough to win  considering we didn’t have our full line up again.  We definitely need to work on our special teams, look to see some changes to our powerplay units.  We may use Dave Silva on the point and through the big body of Ted Kolkas in front of the net.

Game Stats:

Shots: Winterhawks  27  -  Rink Dawgs 17
Powerplay: 1 for 6
Penaltykill: 2 for 5

Player(s) of the Game:
Andrew Lazaridis 2G
Frank Zuccaro  2A
Tom Kolkas    1A

Special mention goes to Stewart Tymchuk, who had to make 23 saves on many good scoring chances.  Also to Mark Krupa who had to play Defense and did a good job.

I have added a beer duty schedule to the tabs, right beside the season schedule.  Please have a look for when you are scheduled to bring beer, but let us know if you can’t bring that night and we’ll switch you with someone else.  Also please keep in mind that not everyone drinks beer so please through in a couple coke’s and water, thanks.

Guys just a reminder that next game is on Wed, May 20th @ 9:00pm.  Also as we always request, please call us in advance if you won’t be able to make it.  It makes it really difficult to get replacements on such short notice. Bring your money as well, as you know it is a total of $145.00 each.  Bruce will let you know who is on beer duty, if I get the chance I will post it on the website.

May 11, 2009 -  Game Recap

Dirt – 3   Rink Dawgs – 1

It was the first game of the season, so a little rust was expected.  I thought we matched up pretty well against them.  We started the game a little anxious and made some bad reads defensively.  We managed to surrender a few excellent scoring opportunities including a couple breakaways newly acquired goaltender Stewart Tymchuk had to stand on his head early & often.  The Dirt scored the opening goal of the game with 7:23 to go in the first, it would be the only goal of the half.

The second half we came out with more composure and settled down defensively.  The only problem was that we could not generated much in the way of good scoring chances, even though we had a powerplay opportunity at about the 11:00 mark of the period.  As a matter of fact we were awful on it,  I don’t know if we even had a shot on goal and to top it off we gave up a shorty.

There was still lots of time left on the clock and we managed to capitalize on one of our very few scoring chances.  With 3:49 to go Peter Lorefice & Tom Kolkas broke in on a 2 on 1 and played the give and go perfectly when Peter passed to Tom and then back to Peter, who pumped it into the empty net.

With the score now 2-1 we were back in the game, but shortly after our goal we gave them a powerplay chance.  They made good on it scoring with only 1:45 left to play, thus pretty much securing the victory for them.  We pulled the goalie and were buzzing around in their zone for the final minute or so but to no avail, thus ended the game 3-1 for the Dirt.

All in all I was very pleased with the effort, if we tighten up defensively and bang in a few ugly goals we’ll be in every game this season.

Game Stats:

Shots: Dirt  15  -  Rink Dawgs 7
Powerplay: 0 for 3
Penaltykill: 3 for 4

Player(s) of the Game:

As mentioned in the game recap, I thought we all played a decent game. Special mention to Stewart who had to only make 12 saves but many of which were high quality.

Well boys after a very disappointing spring season I hope that we all come out with an attitude of  wanting to prove something.  The summer season is upon us and if you take a look under the schedule section you will find the entire regular season schedule there.  Bruce or I will get in contact with each of you before the first game, which is next week already Monday May 11th @ 7:00pm at Clatworhty Arena.  Pay close attention to the schedule and write it down at work or on your phone, notice that the arenas change often.

Go Dawgs!!!!!!