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12.19.05 Gators Playoff Game Report
vs The Beavers
by Jim Suplicki Another Monday nighter as the Gators readied themselves for the first playoff game versus the Beavers. How would they react to last week's disappointing loss? There wasn't much time to even think about it as once again they were shorthanded for the night...Jerry and 8 skaters. Mike showing was a very welcome sight. As an added bonus, the stellar goalie from West Side Cycles was in net for the Beavers. The Gators started off fast with a goal in the first minute on a nice breakout goal by Chris Ryan. Using the defenceman as a screen, he put the shot over the goalie's shoulder. A scramble a few minutes later resulted in a Beavers' goal, tied at 1. A John Scully goal at the end of the period on some hard work by Jeff resulted in a 2 - 1 Gators lead at the end of the first. A great period with the Gators basically having no problems breaking out or creating offensive chances. But, it would not last. A tired Gators team was wearing down. Quickly, the Beavers started to apply the pressure. 2 - 3, then 2 - 4. The Gators tried to re-group, but the short bench was taking its toll. It was 2 - 5 before the bleeding was stopped. With about five minutes left in the period, Chris Ryan made a great move in the neutral zone to create some room, flipping a pass to Jim, who made a quick inside move and let a shot go that the goalie stopped with his left pad, Bryan came flying in to pounce on the rebound and bury the puck to cut the lead to 3 - 5. The tired Gators relentlessly tried to gain some more ground which resulted in a penalty to the Beavers with 40 seconds left in the period. A hard working play by Chris almost resulted in a goal, but he was pulled down. In between periods, the Gators had a chance to catch their breath and discuss the third period. They had a minute power play, so a quick goal would be the ideal situation. It would not happen. A wasted opportunity to cut the lead. But then, a strange thing happened...the legs started to move better, scoring chances were coming back. Jerry was continuing to keep us in the game and we were starting to feed off that. Chris, Frank, and Jeff then decided to put the team on their backs and carry us. The rest followed suit. Frank burst down the left side like a fat woman buying the last Godiva Christmas Chocolate, and ripped a shot into the net. Gators down 4 - 5. The unrelenting Gator attack crashed the net and with a little less than 5 minutes left in the game, tied the score at 5. We then started to believe this win could actually happen. A minute later, a hard shot from a bad angle by Chris found the net. A huge push up front from the Gators' forecheck startled the otherwise strong effort by the Beavers' goalie and we were up 6 - 5 with a little over 2 minutes left. Man, what a game so far. The Gators called a timeout. We decided right then and there, we would not lose this game. The Beavers mounted an attack and had 2 good opportunities to tie it up, but Jerry and the "D" bent, but did not break. A clear out of the zone was chased down by Chris and his persistent and strong effort turned a harmless play into the hardest working goal of the season, Chris barreled his way in for the breakaway, made a slight move and just decimated the goalie with a five-hole shot. Gators win 7 - 5 in what could be the greatest hard-fought team game in their 12 year history. Has the team finally turned the corner? Is this the effort we have been hoping for since the beginning? Are they playing as a team and for each other? Tune in next Wednesday as they play MDS for the championship in this roller coaster season Scoring 1st goal - Chris from Jim and Scott 2nd goal - John from Jeff 3rd goal - Bryan from Jim and Chris 4th goal - Frank unassisted 5th goal - Jim from Jeff and Chris 6th goal - Chris from Bryan 7th goal - Chris unassisted Three Stars Leaders lead...and these guys paved the way. 1 - Chris Ryan 2 - Frank Warner 3 - Jeff Curtis |