Another week’s games in to the record books – player turnouts were a bit lower than usual – might be something to do with the Knights and Chicago/LA games on TV plus the JrB game going on at Nicholls. First game went a bit long with the 3×20 min periods and specific curfew procedures will have to be distributed to the refs and timekeepers to keep the early games on track. The second game was, for some reason, switched back to 3×15 min periods, possibly due to the shorter benches. Some discussion will be required to see if we want to make shortening games optional or not – we have the time to 10:30 and we are paying the officials to that time as well.

Anyway on to the  results – first game seemed to be back and forth with Team Russ getting to Justin a bit early and threatening to blow the game wide open. The visiting (ringer/import) goalie from Fergus played well with an interesting style that seemed to confuse some of the shooters but he wasn’t able to stop Team Joe from eventually pulling ahead for good and winning the game. Final score Team Joe 10 – Team Russ 7.

Second game had the unbeaten Team Blair looking to extend their lead at the top of the standings over the struggling Team Juniors. This might have been a good PROLINE underdog pick as Team Blair showed up flat, unable to pass, score or play defense while Team Juniors were relentless, picking the corners and coasting to an easy victory – Team Juniors 12 – Team Blair 4.

On the league discipline front, Mike Frith is serving a 3 game suspension for his Game Misconduct and Gross Misconduct for unsportsmanlike behavior/verbal abuse of officials from last week. Just a reminder our rules are fairly strict – there is zero tolerance for verbal abuse or unsportsmanlike conduct. You may not be warned when you get close to the line and the penalties are …severe. You have been cautioned.

Next is Week #5 May 28, 2014

Team Juniors vs Team Joe     8:00pm

Team Blair vs Team Russ     9:15pm

G2

First games using the new extended format – hard to believe that 15min extra requires that much more work. Sounds like most of the runners were happy with the extra floor time and a slightly longer game seems to be better for goalies as well. Double, back to back games for (older) goalies might be a bit…strenuous.

First game was back and forth with Team Russ heading into the final minutes with a 1 goal lead. A last minute penalty didn’t bode well but a stingy defense was able to turn the ball over a number of times (and then give it right back to the other team – remember the concept of ball control and time management – no, I guess you don’t). Anyway Team Juniors were unable to score, much less get any shots in the final seconds with the end result Team Russ 10 – Team Juniors 9.

Second game was less competitive, Team Blair kept pressing the attack and Team Joe wasn’t able to get Justin rattled enough to score consistently early in the game. Team Joe started to wake up and make the game interesting but would have needed another period or two to catch up. End Result Team Blair 14 – Team Joe 8.

Anyway next is Week #4 May 21, 2014

Team Joe vs. Team Russ     8:00pm

Team Blair vs. Teams Juniors     9:15pm