Improvement Continues In Mysterious Loss
SKY RINK, NY, May 13, 2006 – The Sled Dogs showed many positives in what eventually became a tough loss to the Phantoms tonight. In a hard fought game in which the third period began in a 1-1 tie, the Dogs stuck together and didn’t quit. The score was not nearly as close as the game was contested.
Center Arlo Klinger opened the scoring for the Sled Dogs by snapping a shot over the Phantom goalie’s left shoulder for his first goal of the season. The tally was the result of a complete team effort as defenseman Steve Chamberlin made a strong play at the blue line to hold the puck in the offensive zone. That’s where left winger Alex Leung gathered the puck and fired a wrist shot on net. The rebound caromed to Klinger who was well positioned and calmly netted his patented roof shot. “The force was with me,” said
Klinger.
Substitute Sled Dog goalie Shane DeBlasio made several good saves in the first period but had no chance on the Phantoms first goal, the result of a scramble in front of the net. “Shane was great tonight,” declared injured Captain Alicia Walker. “He was always square to the shooter and in great position but the team struggled to contain those ghosts as the game wore on.”
The Dogs had a lot to be proud of, however. The wingers really responded to the challenge of checking the opposing defense in their defensive zone. Left wing Alissa Epstein and right wing Julie Kim were particularly strong in this area. “We were guarding the points well,” noted Epstein, “but still struggled at times to clear the puck out of the zone.”
“True,” responded Walker, “but the positioning was there and that shouldn’t be overlooked. The team played hard and fought right to the end and I’m so proud of them.”
Notes: Klinger was seen collecting the puck from the ref after his goal for posterity…Walker sat out her second straight game with a broken rib. She claims victory over the camcorder’s record button, however…Defenseman Jeremy Bucovetsky displayed true Sled Dog sportsmanship late in the game as a frustrated Phantom forward cross-checked him right in the chest without penalty. In related news, the referee was not late for dinner…The Sled Dogs next game is May 20 at 4:00pm vs. Rampaging Moose.
