Victory Launches ‘Bulldogs’ into Playoff Picture

 

GAME RECAP BULLDOGS Team Real Living Date/Time Rink 6 1 07/09/2006 @ 9:20pm Johnny's Ice House

July 10th, 2006- Despite being shorthanded for a second straight game, the ‘Bulldogs’ won back-to-back contests for the first time in over a month. On Sunday, they defeated ‘Team Real Living’ 6-1 without leading scorer Joey F.V., (who left the team to become a hippy in Alaska of all places), solid veteran Brad Lipinski (who missed the game to attend Queen Tonga’s funeral) and enforcer Maher Karim (serving the second game of his suspension).

The ‘Bulldog’ attack started early when Sal Karim hit the open net on a Mike Montague rebound less than thirty seconds into the opening period. Frank Lionello scored with less than two minutes left in the first when Darren Diamond fed him a slick pass that Lionello deposited top shelf.

The rout was on as the initial period came to a close. Montague made it 3-0 when he scored a power play goal on a give-and-go by Sal Karim with just :34 left. ‘TRL’ never recovered after that brutal first period as the ‘Dogs’ looked like a team working in perfect synchronization.

While they did give up a goal in the second, the ‘Dogs’ scored again to make it 4-1. Replicating their earlier goal, Diamond fed Lionello once again in front of the crease and he nailed it top shelf. “I could have done that all day” said Lionello. “I didn’t do much on my line tonight, but Double D [Diamond] played great. He hit me with the right pass very time”.

For insurance purposes, the crew added two more goals in the final frame. Mike Mancuso (assisted by Diamond) broke his scoring slump and Sal Karim (assisted by Montague) rang it up once again to close out the victory.

“Who needs the superstars?” asked Alex Martinez. “These guys stepped up tonight and put on quite a display on offense. For the second straight game, the defense also took control and shut down the opposition. If we continue playing like this, we may be one of the teams to watch come playoff time.”

The ‘Bulldogs’ bring their record back over .500 (7-6-1), placing themselves in a three way tie for third place. With the cluster of teams fighting for a playoff berth, the ‘Dogs’ need to close out the campaign with nothing but victories to ensure themselves a post season.