The face off for the early game seemed to be deja vu all over again except that this time Team Russ had a full bench and Team Bill had only 1 spare to start the game. It wasn’t looking good for Team Bill… Scoring was slow to start and the first period ended with Team Bill up 3-2. In the 2nd Team Bill added a couple of latecomers to their bench and extended their lead to 6-3 and there was some foreshadowing that maybe a short bench was not much a detriment after all. In the 3rd Team Russ was able to score a few more goals and make it close but was unable to erase Team Bill’s early lead – final score Team Bill 8 – Team Russ 6. Good competitive game – titanic face off battles and some pretty goals from both teams.

In the 2nd game the question on everyone’s mind was whether Team Blair could rebound from their monumental collapse last week. Team Blair jumped to an early lead and coasted to a 4-2 score at the end of 1. In the second the lead seesawed with Team Juniors pulling ahead and then falling back with the 2nd period ending with Team Blair up 8-7. A few more goals were added in the 3rd with Team Blair going into a defensive, time management shell with 5 minutes to go to preserve their lead – final score Team Blair 11 – Team Juniors 9. Another good game, close score, lots of fast breaks – great entertainment for the fans.

Next week is Week #5 May 27, 2015 Kinsmen

Team Blair  vs.  Team Russ     8:00pm-9:00pm

Team Juniors  vs.  Team Bill     9:00pm – 10:00pm

See you then.

G2

Well, those results were….unexpected!

First game looked like a definite mismatch, Team Juniors had a full bench, Team Russ had …no bench. With Jason talking up the fans in the lobby, Team Russ played most of the 1st period with no spares on the bench but was still able to control the flow of the game and ended the 1st frame up 4-1. Not an unexpected 1st period scenario, but fatigue would likely be a growing factor for the rest of the game. In the 2nd, Team Juniors were able to score 5 goals but Team Russ, with the JKOW leading the way, was able to keep pace with 4 goals of their own and the 2nd period ended with Team Russ up by only 2, 8-6. In the 3rd, the defenses really stepped up (or fatigue slowed everyone to a virtual standstill) and only 3 more goals were scored. End result Team Russ 10 – Team Juniors 7. Not what I would have predicted as a final result but also not previously unseen.

The second game started quickly with Team Blair getting 4 goals early and coasting to a 5-2 lead after 1. They quickly ran up the score to 9-2 and there were rumblings that re-balancing would be needed to break up the “Dream” team…. but, but… the game wasn’t over. First Matt, with a pinpoint laser shot, just off the post, made it 9-3 and then Kyle, shooting from the top, scored with less than 10 sec. left in the period to close the score to 9-4.  You could feel the tectonic shift in momentum. The 3rd period was all (and I mean ALL!) Team Bill – one goal after another, they picked away at the Team Blair defense and completely stifled their opponent’s scorers. The scoreboard count kept getting closer and closer, until, with about 2 minutes left, Team Bill tied the score at 9-9 setting up a wild finish. Team Bill’s players were riding an adrenaline high while the Team Blair players, shoulders slumped, were pulling at their t-shirt collars trying to get breathing space. A couple of chances at either end but both goalies came up big and the clock ran out with the score still deadlocked –  Team Blair 9 – Team Bill 9. Possibly the biggest choke/collapse/ surprise in recent Masters HL history, definitely worth serious mockery and abuse over post game beverages well into the summer! Lacrosse – definitely a game of momentum.

It still appears that re-balancing might be needed but it is unclear which team will need the additional help.

Anyway, next is Week #4 – Wednesday May 20, 2015 Kinsmen Arena

TEAM BILL  vs.  TEAM RUSS     8:00pm – 9:00pm

TEAM BLAIR  vs. TEAM JUNIORS     9:00pm – 10:00pm.

Not sure what to look forward to next week!

G2

Another week’s games are done and recorded. Again both games appeared to be competitive and enjoyable. In the first game both teams played strong defense and only a last second goal put Team Bill up 2-1 at the first intermission. In the 2nd, a bit more offense was evident as Team Bill again outscored Team Juniors by 1, and led 5-3 at the end of 2.  The 3rd period was all Team Juniors, with a continuous fast break offense that kept Team Bill back on their heels. Team Juniors were able to put 5 goals past Gord in the 3rd while not allowing any goals in return. At the buzzer, final score Team Juniors 8 – Team Bill 5.

In the late game, another tight, low scoring 1st period led to a 1-1 tie after 1. The flood gates opened in the 2nd with Team Russ scoring 5 and Team Blair scoring 4 but the 3rd was only Team Blair. Even without 3 of their key players, Team Blair was able to push 4 more goals past Trevor while playing stingy defense (never thought I’d use that descriptor for this team!) and keeping Team Russ completely off the scoreboard. Final score Team Blair 9 – Team Russ 6.

Still too early to tell if any re-balancing will be needed, games have been pretty close both in play and scoring. At least one more week before any changes can be discussed.

Next week is Week #3 – Wednesday May 13, 2015 Kinsmen Arena:

TEAM JUNIORS  vs. TEAM RUSS     8:00pm – 9:00pm

TEAM BLAIR  vs. TEAM BILL     9:00pm – 10:00pm

G2