Bulldogs victims Maher's curse?

 

GAME RECAP BULLDOGS PUCKIN AWESOME Date/Time Rink 3 5 05/21/2008 Darien Sportsplex

May 23rd, 2008- In the end, the Chicago Bulldogs injuries caught up with them , injuries was a  hole they’d dug  and it was just too deep to climb out of as they would lose 5-3 to Pucking Awesome who took the DAHL Crown.

Pucking Awesome, one of the worst teams in the DAHL early on in the season and also "Regular Customers" of most of the teams, picked up some talent late and that made the difference. They upset not only the top seeded team (Chicago Bulldogs) who were 15-1-1, but also upset the 2nd and 3rd seed teams of the league.

Early on in the 1st period the Bulldogs scored with no problem as Darren Diamond took a nice one-timer from Joe Koehler to get it past Puckin Awesome's goalie who was highly touted as being their season "savor". Perhaps the Bulldogs became a bit too comfortable as they settled for that lonely goal and end the 1st period with a 1-0 lead.

In the second it did not take Puckin Awesome long to figer out the Bulldogs weakness, that's right, the Bulldogs were playing with no centers. Scott Gaczorek who was the last of the "Mohicans" playing center that night was injured and left for the hospital in between periods.

Mike Farias who just got back that night from the hospital himself, being tested for any Las Vegas viruses that perhaps made their way into this blood stream via "Used Needles", stepped up and played out of position the entire game and faired well. But again with Ryan Scanlon and Joe Van Grimbergen being out with major injuries, Chris Bednarek being suspended for the "Phantom Kick" and now Scott leaving for the hospital, the Bulldogs were left in a place where they were not use to being in.

Did they panic? Freak out? No, but it made things difficult.

“I think they had a real hard focus around our net in the second period,” Bulldog  Ted Markos said. “The first two goals, right at the crease and in. Once you get trailing, you’re chasing the game. That’s where we were, chasing the game most of the third.”

Being tied up after Joe Kolodziejczak scored with 7 seconds left in the 2nd, the Bulldogs Defense made strong efforts not only to score, but also holding the line as it was obvious that Puckin Awesome was also known as "Puckin Awesome Cherry Picking".

Adding to the massive cherry picking by Puckin Awesome and a bad call that would have Pucking Awesome scoring a power play goal in the third, it all went down hill after that. The Bulldogs would allow two more goals, while Farias would not go alone into the dark and score one of his own with less than 16 seconds remaining in the game. The Bulldogs would lose 5-3.

“We don't have any regrets,” said assistant captain Tony Feeney,  “We went out and played a heck of a game. We just started a little late tonight. For whatever reason they carried the play in key moments. I don’t think our jump, our urgency, was really there until the third period. We got one early but we just didn’t find those next couple ones.”

“This is a tough one, but it is what it is ,” Bulldogs Goalie Alex Martinez said. “It was a tremendous feeling and opportunity to watch this team grow and accomplish what we have this year so far, I'm proud of these guys.

Martinez continued "That’s the grind of the playoffs. It is so hard. Like I say, the commitment that these players put forth is just phenomenal. Until you’ve been in that dressing room, seeing guys that after a game, they have a hard time moving their leg or moving their elbow, their shoulder doesn’t work, and the next day they show up and say, ‘When do we play again?’ That’s what makes our game great.

Any who, Congratulations to Puckin Awesome and now it’s the summer-season for the Chicago Bulldogs, but it begins sooner rather than later as they begin this Friday night against the Blunders. Let the games begin, again.

Notes: The Chicago Bulldogs signed defenseman Bill Bush to a summer contract. Bush who recently played for Illinois State University and the Mexican League Hockey the "Chupa Vergas" will be a good addition this summer. Welcome aboard Bush.

• Offense- The theme here is Injuries... Ryan, Joey FV, Scott and Chris being emotionally injured made for the lack of offense. Wingers needed to step it up and instead ended up looking like deer and headlights.
• Defense- They did what they could, hold off the rush while trying to score as well. They are credited for all three Bulldog points in the game.
• Goaltending- Need to also step it up knowing the lack of fire power would force up the "D". Not enough for the win.