Week 5 - 10.18.06 Gators vs Bulldogs
Breaking their two game losing streak at last, the Gators, with every player in attendance, defeated the Bulldogs 7-4 Wednesday night. The game didn't start off as well as expected, with the Bulldogs scoring just minutes into the first period, then again at 5:45 in the period (by the same player) on a power play while Chris Ryan (27) was in the box. Nearly one minute after the Bulldogs scored their second goal, Dave Salafia (15) scored on Brian Drake's (18) assist, bring the game to 2-1, Bulldogs.

At just 13:34 in the second period, Scott Magin (3) got the puck away from his player, passed to Brian Pasono (17), and on to Drake to score and tie the game. Then again, with the same offensive player back on the ice, the Bulldogs scored again moments later. Back out on the ice together, Pasono, Salafia, and Drake made another play to score the Gators' third goal, tieing the game once again with 3-3. After a quick line change, John Davie (76) nabbed the puck and brought it up the ice on a bit of a breakaway at 9:15 in the second, with John Scully (32) close behind. Davie's shot missed, but Scully was there to pick it up, and slipped the puck in nicely past the Bulldogs' goalie. Yet again, just one minute later, Scully had the puck, then passed to Steve Randall (10/11?), who put it away nicely, giving the Gators a 5-3 lead over the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs scored only once more in the game, with just two minutes left in the second period on a power play with Seth Sealfon (2) in the box.

On a breakaway immediately off the second face-off, Drake took the puck to the net at 11:32 in the third period. Another two minutes later, Dave Salafia intercepted the puck from his player, passing to Frank Warner (5), who found Randall up the ice, waiting to score his second goal of the game, the last of the night.

Shooting number between the two teams was close, with the Bulldogs ahead by only five. The Bulldogs shooting, however, seemed to be a challenge to block with all the head shots at Gators' goalie Jerry Suplicki (35). A noticeable change throughout the game, was a huge pickup on defense beginning in the second period. There were some great two-way games by the guys who typically don't hang back to help out, and some surprising plays made by those who aren't known to score very often. Nearly scoring was Jack Hibit (9) with some nice attempts on goal, and Ryan, who had a number of good plays on offense, shooting one especially good shot that was blocked by Davie's head on the ice. Overall, the feel of the game was very heartwarming: having a full roster show up, and seeing the teamwork among ALL of the players out on the ice was a nice change from the previous two losses. Scully provided the men with some interesting proof on the ice: marriage, in fact, DOES improve one's hockey game. A huge turnout after the game (including Drake!), and some Journey songs on the jukebox ended the night nicely for the team.

Gators 7, Bulldogs 4

Three Stars of the Week
Jerry Suplicki 32 saves, no goals allowed in the third period		Brian Drake an amazing 2 way game		Steve Randall scored the winning goal