By Michael Garbacz
Game 1: Blues 2, Thornton Services Renegades 3
This series of games started off with a fun, close tilt between Renegades and Blues. It looked like the boys in grey were going to waltz away with an easy win for a while, as they more than doubled up the Blues in total shots (25-12) and held a 2-0 advantage heading into the third period. But the Blues stormed back, putting the biscuit in the basket twice on four shots to make it interesting. It wasn’t meant to be, though, as the Renegades poured it on as time wound down and found the game winner. Trey Lodge led the way, tickling the twine twice; Cliff Windsor notched the other goal; Dustin Aigner picked up a pair of helpers; the Onancock Kid had one. For the Blues, the Parksley Original and James Haley each found the back of the net; both goals were unassisted.
Game 2: Delmarva Soil and Concrete Red Wings 0, EZ Loan Bruins 2
The Wings found themselves without their captain, the Huntsman, on this day, and it would prove to be fatal for their offense. While they managed to contain the Smooth Criminal (as he can’t be stopped), they weren’t so lucky on the offensive zone, never establishing sustained pressure. Williams scored one to seal it and one for insurance, both unassisted, and that was it. Alex McCullough’s reward in net for showing up was a glorious goose egg.
Game 3: K&E Marine Capitals 8, 3 Knots Taphouse Whalers 5
We now leave the safety and comfort of defensive-minded hockey for a real barnburner. The Caps are probably the last team you’d want to open up a game against, but that’s exactly what happened. The Whalers were looking good throughout two periods, holding a 4-1 lead, but then the dam burst, as the Capitals exploded for seven goals in the final frame to sail by the Whale. The Pat Trick was held to a relatively measly one goal and one assist; meanwhile, Sharkey Parks blew up for a Mirror Hattie (three goals, three assists); Brett Morgan registered a natural hat trick, plus two helpers; Keith Hagler tickled the twine; Jack Smith, Chauncey Smith, and Jenny Hagler each chipped in an apple. For the Whalers, Brandon Morgan put up two goals and an assist; Nate “New York” Metzger scored a pair of goals; Scott Millikin registered the other goal.
Game 4: NeuBeam Harambe 4, Blues 1
Despite outshooting their opponents and generally playing better than in their first contest, the Blues could not pick up enough steam to edge out the gorilla squad. Harambe took the lead early and never looked back, registering goals in each period. Preston Shover led the charge, potting a “pace yourself” hat trick (a goal in each period); power forward Jennie Rice netted the other marker; Luke Webb picked up two assists; Zach Webb had one. For the Blues, TR Hoyt staved off the shutout loss with a goal in the second, assisted by Guy Shover and Chris Cartwright.
Game 5: Thornton Services Renegades 3, Delmarva Soil and Concrete Red Wings 0
For their second game of the day, the Wings found themselves on the business end of a goose egg. While they managed to stay fairly well positioned defensively, they wound up outshot 17-9 for the game and could not get the motor going on offense. La Boca (Jesse West), Ray Johnson, and CJ Jones each scored for the Renegades; the Onancock Kid picked up a pair of helpers. Dylan Harrington did the goalie dance of joy (which is not defined by a particular set of moves per se) in earning the shutout victory.
Game 6: EZ Loan Bruins 5, 3 Knots Taphouse Whalers 4
The Whalers found themselves in another racy tilt on this day, and boy what a weird, fun contest it turned out to be. After a very sedate, careful, and scoreless first period, the Killer B’s went off in the second, scoring four goals and taking a big lead into the third. Just when it looked like the Whale was ready for lamp oil, they went out and scored four goals of their own in the third. Alas, the Bruins also found one more in the final frame to steal the win. The Smooth Criminal picked up two goals and an assist; Pat Cornwell registered a goal and a helper; Garrett Baylis and Gabe Nock each tickled the twine; Chris Potter threw in an apple. For the Whalers, New York Metzger sparked the comeback with a pair of dazzling old-guy goals to go along with an assist; Brandon Morgan found himself a pair of markers; Scott Millikin registered an assist.
Game 7: K&E Marine Capitals 5, NeuBeam Harambe 1
The gorilla squad, for whatever reason, wasn’t able to establish their game against the Caps, getting outshot 19-9. Also, Keith Hagler recorded the coveted Old Guy Breakaway goal in the first, and that’s a tough one to come back from, folks. Hagler would finish the contest with a pair of markers. Brett Morgan scored twice and added an assist; Sharkey Parks put up a goal and a pair of helpers; the Pat Trick was content to let the kids (and, uh, Keith) to do the heavy lifting, finishing with a pair of apples; Chauncey Smith added an assist. Preston Shover spoiled Cabe Morgan’s shutout parade with a goal in the third, assisted by Zach Webb.
ESSHL Senior League action resumes Sunday, October 6,at 1:30 p.m. at Stapleton Rink in Parksley. Be sure to check out the website at www.esshl.org for news, stats and more, and find ESSHL on Facebook.
