GAME RECAP BULLDOGS Fighting Hellfish Date/Time Rink 3 6 04/18/2006 JIH

April 19th, 2006- The ‘Bulldogs’ faced the ‘Fighting Hellfish’ on Tuesday night for the first time since smoking them last year in the ‘Denny Pratt Memorial Tournament’. Unfortunately, the results weren’t as good this time as it was then, losing 6-3. Despite the loss, the ‘Bulldogs’ kept their cool, in a tense filled, heated contest. The same cannot be said about several players on the ‘Smellfish’, who utilized every opportunity they could to throw a cheap shot. Several scuffles including an all out brawl broke out, mainly because several members of the ‘Fish’ have no self control.

The ‘Bulldogs’ played catch up most of the evening. Trailing 1-0 in the first period, Mike Montague (assisted by Darren Diamond and Tony Feeney) scored to tie things up. After falling behind again, Joey V. tied the game up at two apiece after scoring late in the first period. The period ended with the ‘Bulldogs’ trailing 3-2, as the ‘Fish’ scored yet again, with under a minute left.

Early in the second period a melee broke out in front of the ‘Bulldog’ net. Eric Carr took exception to late hit on Aaron Sejud by a ‘Hellfish’. Golden Reuckert (what kind of parents name their kid Golden?) did the cowardly thing by attacking Carr from behind, but still got his ass handed to him for all of his trouble, even though he is twice Carr’s size. Embarrassed by his pummeling, and red faced, the officials ejected Reukert, who scurried off of the ice with his tail and his pride tucked firmly between his legs.

Unfortunately, the brawl cost the ‘Bulldogs’ a couple of men to the penalty box, leaving them short-handed on the penalty kill. The ‘Hellfish’ seized the opportunity and scored immediately to take a 4-2 lead. The ‘Dogs’ rebounded late in the second period to narrow the gap at 4-3, when Joey V. scored again

The ‘Dogs’ couldn’t get much going in the third period. They skated hard and put several shots on goal, but it just wasn’t there. The ‘Hellfish’ scored twice more, including one at the buzzer to finish off the ‘Bulldogs’, and leave them winless after two games, this season.

“All I can say from is that they will get what is coming to them” said Alex Martinez. We look forward to playing them in the Denny Pratt Tournament in May, most likely the next time we will meet. Tonight was perhaps the dirtiest game we’ve ever played in. We could blame the officials, but the bottom line is that when the idiot refs let it go, we need to adjust, to be prepared and change it up. Johnny's seems to be tailored for our aggressive style of play. As much as I love a clean game, we have to tailor our style or else we won’t do well. On a positive note, for once, we do not lead the league in penalties.”

The ‘Dogs’ come into this league with a reputation for being the most aggressive and physical team where ever they have played. In an effort to reduce the ridiculously high number of penalties they have accumulated over the last few seasons, they have made serious strides in changing their style to a more disciplined, finessed team. Because the league is more physical than any they have played in recently, they may have to revert back to bruiser type hockey if they want to not only succeed, but survive.

• Zippy Vanek: A real stand-up guy, the ‘Hellfish’ team captain showed more class than some of his teammates, by apologizing for his squad’s antics during the game and afterwards. Although, most of the guys on the ‘Hellfish’ showed some dignity, there were at least four or five members of the squad who gave his team a black eye.

The Bad:

• Power Plays: The ‘Bulldogs’ scored nothing on their six power play attempts, including a couple 5-on-3 advantages.

 The Ugly:

• The Smellfish 5: ‘Hellfish’ players Golden “Shower” Reuckert, Justin “the Chode” DiStefano, Jake “the Fake” Borgman and Nathan “Sour-puss” Lamb for their lack of class and their cowardly cheap shots. No team the ‘Dogs’ have ever faced, has ever thrown more behind the back hits and cross-checks than these ass clowns.
• The Smellfish 5 Part Two: Several of the aforementioned players above obviously couldn’t leave it on the ice after the game, so they decided to continue the trash talking and threat making in the bar upstairs. Notably two players, Rueckert and Kevin were the culprits. Rueckert still stinging after his ass-whooping, talked a big game, but in the end, the potential embarrassment of another ass kicking was enough to shut him up. Rosenquist, who also serves as the JAL commissioner, showed a lack of maturity and objectivity, by not only instigating (with a couple friends) a heated exchange, but by also issuing a warning to the ‘Bulldogs’. Now if that’s not abuse of power, I don’t know what is.

Player of the Game:  Joe Van Grimbergen

Joe does it again... scoring two goals for the Bulldogs in a tough lose.

Next up: April 27 2006 vs. the ‘Centurions’ at 11:00PM.