Goal Scorers:  Dan Bednarek (3), Joe Koehler (2), Scott Gaczorek (2), Mitch LaBuda (1) and Joe Van Grimbergen (1).

Goalie: Alex Martinez

ADDISON, IL- Coming In a long season, things always end up evening themselves out. The Bulldogs played their tails off on Sunday night, yet lost to the Motorheads. On Thursday night, they played uninspired hockey for the better part of the evening, yet pulled off the victory, 9-7, against the Eagles.

The Bulldogs came out as the aggressor, taking a commanding 5-1 lead. Goals by Joe Koehler (2), Danny Bednarek (2) and Mitch LaBuda set the tempo for what looked like an easy, offensive explosion on this evening. However, with just under a minute left in the first period, the Eagles responded with two goals of their own to narrow the gap to 5-3.

The Eagles scored twice more, early in the second period to tie it up at five apiece. Suddenly, the offensive juggernaut Bulldogs were reduced to panicky, squabbling school girls looking for answers.

“We played down to their level” said Alex Martinez. “Once we got a comfortable lead, we started making ill-advised passes, we let up on defense and started taking too many chances. Our offense, which started the game, structured and balanced, began to look like a rat hockey scrimmage.”

The ‘Dogs’ rebounded by tallying two goals (one by Bednarek and the other by Scott Gaczorek) to close out the second period with a 7-5 lead. However, once the Bulldogs reacquired the lead, they reverted back to playing sloppy. The Eagles overcame another deficit to tie the game at seven, midway through the third period.

Luckily, the Bulldogs prevailed. A Gaczorek goal late in the third period, and an empty netter by Joey F.A.V. preserved the win. With the win however, came plenty of boos from the crowd and much criticism from the sportswriters. One writer commented “They should have won this game 15-3. Considering how difficult the wins have been for them this season, they should have kept their focus and played solid, fundamental hockey. Instead, they came out with a bang and got lazy. If I was the GM, I’d fine every one of those players an entire game’s pay. There is no excuse for that kind of complacency”.

Another writer stated “When did this team get so soft? I remember the Bulldog teams of the past that played physical, defense-first hockey. They used to scratch and claw to win games 2-1 or 3-2. This squad plays like a bunch of cream puffs focusing on highlight reel plays instead of playing two way hockey. When did it become acceptable to let your opponents set two or three players up in front of the net without laying them out? With the exception of two or three guys on this current team, these Bulldogs could use a lesson from Bulldog legend (and HOF nominee) Craig Rehr. If someone in the front office is listening, get Rehr on the phone now.”

“Bottom line: we got the win” added Martinez. “It was ugly, and we played like caca, for the most part, but in the end, a win is a win”.

The Bulldogs look to get back to .500, when they go up against their arch rivals, the White Eagles, next Wednesday.

The Good:

Shots on Goal- The Bulldogs fired a season high 35 shots on goal and converted 8 into scores.

The Bad:

 Defense in the Crease: The Bulldog defenders left too many Eagles nesting in and around the net, resulting in many scoring opportunities.

Physical Play: The two female players on the Eagles played with more heart and chutzpah than the Bulldogs.

Goaltending: For the first fourteen minutes of the game, goalie, Alex Martinez was virtually relentless. He stopped 11 of 12 shots up to that point. However, as the game wore on, the Eagles feasted on him by scoring an incredible 6 times on only 23 shots

The Ugly:

Officiating: Officials Brad Block & Kevin Morie were a bit premature in blowing their whistle on several questionable penalties.

ESPN Hit of the Week:

Mitch LaBuda nails 2010 Olympic Silver Medalist Lisa Chesson in the second period. The hit was also a moment changer as the Olympic loser made no effort to go to the net after that solid hit by the Buda Man. 

Player(s) of the Game:

Dan Bednarek with 3 goals and an assist.

Next up: White Eagles, Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 10:35PM (Addison ice Arena)