Main Place has been struggling this year, off to their worst start in a few seasons at 0-3 and needed a win last night to get back to .500. Knowing that, the Gators should have known they were going to come out firing on all cylinders. Apparently they took their opponents a little too lightly this time after beating them 6-3 earlier in the season.

Sleepwalking through the first period the Gators spotted Main Place a 5-0 lead. If you've ever watched The Crocodile Hunter you know that you can only poke a Gator with a stick so many times before he strikes back at you. The Gators struck back in the 2nd last night, sparked by a beauty of a goal by Brian Drake who made a nice adjustment to get his stickblade on a pass through the crease from Tom Savage and tip it over the outstretched legpad of Main Place's goalie.

Seconds later the Gators cut the lead to 5-2 when Steve Rowe tried a backhand pass to Chris Conley that got deflected off a Main Place defender and ended up in the back of the net. Late in the second, Savage spotted Rowe wide open in the slot and Rowe cashed in with a one-timer for the 3rd Gator goal.

Not long after that Conley scored his first goal as a Gator when he one-timed a nice pass from Brian Drake to pull the Gators within one at 5-4. With about 8 minutes to go in the game it appeared Tom Savage had scored but the ref ruled it only hit the crossbar. The Gators kept the pressure on, however and their hard work paid off when Savage banged in a rebound on the very same shift to tie the score at 5.

The Gators had a golden opportunity to salt this one away and complete an unprecedented comeback when Chris Conley was hauled down on a breakaway with about a minute and a half left in the game. They got a few chances but just couldn't put it away and time expired with the score still tied.

The Gators still had about 30 seconds of power play time left to begin the overtime period, but just couldn't seem to control the puck and a rebound bounced out to a wide open MP forward who tipped in the gamewinner and thwarted the comeback.

For the 2nd week in a row we had a good showing up at the ESL bar. After hours commenced once again at our sponsor The Old Toad where many a tasty ale was quaffed.

Next week the Gators get a chance for revenge against the Diablos. It would be a good idea to get off to a good start in that one...

Tonight's 3 Stars

1. Tom Savage - had a goal and 3 assists and played well (as always) on D

2. Brian Drake - got the offense going with a great deflection of a pass from Savage

3. Chris Conley - showed up