By Michael Garbacz
Game 1: Neubeam Harambe 2, Delmarva Soil and Concrete Red Wings 0
The day’s slate of games kicked off with a terse, low-event affair as the gorilla squad was able to shut out the Wings. Although the Red Wings did well enough defensively, they could not get the motor going on offense, totaling just six shots for the game and none at all in the second period. Harambe got all the firepower needed to win off one marker from Johnny Irvin and some insurance from Robbie Washington; Preston Shover and Zach Webb each contributed an apple. Goalie Josh Taylor dutifully handed out the goose egg.
Game 2: K&E Marine Capitals 1, 3 Knots Taphouse Whalers 4
The Whalers came out of the gate flying in this one, registering seven shots in the first period and allowing none. The game opened up a bit in the second, with each team trading goals to end it at one apiece. In the third, the fellas in green ran away from the mighty Caps, notching three scores on five shots to seal the deal. Scott Bono picked up the shutout-avoiding maker for the Capitals with a little help from Sharkey Parks. For the Whalers, Derek Hail tickled the twine twice; Brandon Morgan picked up a goal and two assists; Scott Millikin chipped in a goal and a helper; Ryan Parks and Annika Fread added an apple apiece.
Game 3: EZ Loan Bruins 3, Blues 3 (OT)
This game featured a pair of tremendous storylines. First, the Blues broke the streak and earned their first point in the standings with the tie. Off the schneid! Off the schneid! They jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first period and things were looking promising; the Blues were controlling play and shocking the Killer B’s. But you can never count the Smooth Criminal and company out, which brings us great story number 2. Down two goals in the third period, with time ticking away, it was not Williams, but rather hard-working winger Chris Potter who saved the Bruins’ bacon. Potter potted a pair of pretty pickled peppers, and when the clock struck zero the score was knotted at 3. The game proceeded to a shootout, but neither goalie could be bested there, and so the tie stood. James Haley registered two goals and an assist for the Blues; TR Hoyt produced a goal and two assists; the Parksley Original and local hero Dean Dedicatoria rang up assists. Williams scored the other B’s goal; Bradley Colonna added an apple.
Game 4: Thornton Services Renegades 1, Delmarva Soil and Concrete Red Wings 3
This was a close affair in which the Renegades attacked relentlessly, but the Wings were able to parry those attacks and counterstrike just when needed. Brad Ford and the Red Wings defense frustrated the ‘Gaders in the back end while the Huntsman and Ethan Ayer punched home scores at critical moments. Stapleton recorded two goals and an assist while Ayer picked up a goal and two assists. For the Renegades, Trey Lodge scored to stave off the shutout with a little help from the Onancock Kid.
Game 5: 3 Knots Taphouse Whalers 4, Neubeam Harambe 6
In this wild tilt, it looked like the gorilla squad was going to run away with this one early, but the guys in green stormed back late to make things interesting. Jumping out to a 5-1 lead after two periods, things were looking grim for the Whalers. Nonetheless, they dug in their heels, got the motor going and came oh-so-close to tying things up. But Harambe held on, squeaking away with the win. New York Metzger rang up two goals for the Whale; Derek Hail and Ryan Parks each picked up one; Brandon Morgan threw in a pair of apples; Jay Click and Trevor Bundick each added an assist. For Harambe, Preston Shover tickled the twine twice and added a helper for good measure; Zach Webb and Caleb Clark each produced two goals.
Game 6: K&E Marine Capitals 2, EZ Loan Bruins 3
For whatever reason, the Caps just couldn’t seem to gel like they normally do so well, and fell just short to the Killer B’s. The Bruins doubled up the Caps in shots 22-11, so the game wasn’t quite as close as the score may indicate; kudos to the Bruins’ defense and goaltending for keeping the mighty Pat Trick off the score sheet. And Chris Potter kept the hot hand going, as he potted a particularly premium potato; The Smooth Criminal put down a goal and an assist; Bradley Colona picked up two apples; Pat Cornwell and Damien Citro each added an assist. For the Capitals, Scott Bono and Sharkey Parks found the back of the net, each unassisted.
Game 7: Blues 1, Thornton Services Renegades 8
The day ended indeed with a bang, fortunately for one team and unfortunately for the other. The Blues found themselves outshot 31 (!) to 10, so you know Ol’ Plugalong was sore the next day. Josh Hail recorded a hattie plus a helper; Dustin Aigner tickled the twine twice; the Onancock Kid threw in a goal and two assists; Ben Bundick had himself a multi-point game with a goal and an assist; Trey Lodge put the biscuit in the basket; Ray Johnson and La Boca each produced an apple. James Haley prevented the shutout for the Blues by putting home an unassisted goal in the first.
ESSHL Senior League action resumes Sunday, December 15 at 1:30 p.m. at Stapleton Rink in Parksley. Be sure to check out the website at www.esshl.org, and find ESSHL on Facebook.
