Bulldogs Advance to Second Round

 

GAME RECAP BULLDOGS Team Real Living Date/Time Rink 5 3 08/20/2006 @ 2:40pm Johnny's Ice House

August 21st, 2006- Having lost the last two games of the regular season, including a defeat at the hands of the winless Centurions, the Bulldogs hoped to bounce back with a win in the first round of the playoffs. They did not disappoint, defeating Team Real Living by a final score of 5-3.

Before the start of the game, the Bulldogs found themselves in familiar territory, having only 8 skaters show up. “We’ve been in this situation before, and we’ve won,” said Frank Lionello. “We can definitely do it again.”

Lionello’s prediction would prove true. Five minutes into the first period, Mike Montague started the scoring, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. This lead was short-lived, however, as Team Real Living scored their first goal less than two minutes later. The period ended with both teams locked in a 1-1 tie.

The match would continue this way until Mike Mancuso scored on a spectacular back hand shot the sailed just passed the opposing goalie, giving the Bulldogs the 2-1 lead.  Mike Mancuso later scored his second goal after battling for the puck in front of the opposing net. Let it be known from here on out that Michael Mancuso is one tough SOB. Leading 3-1, the Bulldogs began to show fatigue due their short bench. Team Real Living would score with less than two minutes remaining in the period on a shot that was unfortunately deflected by goalie Alex Martinez’s into the net. Real Living would score again just before the buzzer to tie the game at 3 apiece. “It’s a good thing the period ended after that goal,” remarked Martinez. “They were gaining momentum and it could’ve been disastrous.”

With good defense and stellar goaltending from both sides, the game would remain tied for most of the third period. Also in the third, Joey V. would suffer a badly bruised knee as he went down hard on the ice after being tripped. However, the team captain was able to shake it off and score a goal with less than 5 minutes remaining in the game on what would later become the game winner. 

With just under two minutes remaining, Sam Karim was called for tripping. Team Real Living opted to pull their goalie, giving them the two-man advantage. The Bulldogs played excellent defensively, and limited their opponents to only one shot on goal. Joey V. would later steal the puck and score the Bulldogs final goal on the empty net. The Bulldogs were able to fend off their opponents for the remainder of the game to capture the win.

With the win, the Bulldogs advance to the second round of the playoffs where they hope to continue their run at the championship.