‘Bulldogs’ Skate Over Fried ‘Bacon’

 

GAME RECAP BULLDOGS SKATIN BACON Date/Time Rink 4 1 09/27/2006 @ 09:15pm IIC, Romeoville, IL

September 28th, 2006- The ‘Bulldogs’ followed up their inaugural game in the ASHL with another victory Wednesday night against ‘Skatin’ Bacon’, a team they had never faced. The final score was 4-1, but the game was much closer than the closing result reflected.

The club was still adjusting to the new USA Hockey rules, but they had a better idea in this game than the first. Unfortunately, a couple players, Bill Nolan & Tony Feeney were playing their first game of the season and they combined for almost half of the team’s nine total penalties.

The first period saw a real defensive battle between both clubs. Although the ‘Bulldogs’ attacked the zone fiercely, ‘Bacon’ goalie Chris Loudon stopped everything they threw at him. The only tally in the first period occurred midway through the period when Joey F.V. scored off of a nice feed by James Senne.

The ‘Dogs’ didn’t waste anytime in the second period. Less than three minutes in, Mike ‘Monty’ Montague scored when he blew past every defender to put one on net. He was assisted by Jason Darfler on the play.

‘Bacon’ made a threat to challenge the ‘Dogs’ when they scored near the end of the period, but the ‘Dogs’ responded with another goal themselves. Joe Koehler cut into the slot and slapped a one-timer on a pass from ‘Monty’. It was a beautiful play that left the sure-handed Loudon and his teammates stunned. The momentum that ‘Bacon’ had built just moments earlier, swung back to the ‘Bulldogs’.

The club added one final goal in the third period when Sam Karim (assisted by Montague & Maher Karim) scored his first goal of the season. It was all the ‘Dogs’ needed as the persistent ‘Bacon’ squad fought hard, but couldn’t execute much against their stingy defense.

“Good Game” said Alex Martinez. “Solid, I mean real solid defense tonight. Not just by the defensemen, I saw some good back-checking by the wingers as well. We need to keep this kind of play going. When we play our game, at our tempo the results are usually in our favor. It may be early in the season, but considering how we performed in our first two games, this is probably the best ‘Bulldog’ team I have ever been a part of. If we maintain this level of play and focus, we should be able to surpass the previous championship team (2005 EAHL team).”

The ‘Bulldogs (2-0-0), sit in first place after the hard fought victory. They have had a good showing the first two weeks of the season and the team is looking better than they have in some time. Don’t be surprised if this squad ends up taking home the cup this season. They are that good.