Rampaging Moose Prey On D8 Dogs 4-0

Late Goals Hurt Team

SKYRINK, May 20, 2006 – The Sled Dogs looked sharp but couldn’t cash in on numerous offensive opportunities tonight in a fun, competitive game with the Rampaging Moose. Improving on last week’s lackluster offensive performance, the Dogs applied extended pressure on the Moose’s with all three lines.

Despite the solid defense played by the Dogs, including first-time defenseman Alissa Epstein, the Moose opened the scoring midway through the first period. “We seemed more patient this week, which led to more offense,” noted Epstein. After the first goal, both defenses put the clamps on for the remainder of the first and the entire second period. Sled Dogs goalie Shane DeBlasio made several impressive saves during this stretch to keep the deficit at 1-0.

The Dogs best chances came from Alternate Captain Nick Caruso as he buzzed the net several times on one shift, lifting the puck just over the crossbar on two occasions. “It was weird,” said Caruso, “the only open area that fat Moose in goal wasn’t covering was up high. Too bad I lifted those shots just a couple inches too much.”

The defense pairings clicked, as well, with excellent defensive zone coverage and good communication all game. The transition game was also firing on all cylinders as defenseman Arlo Klinger made some great breakout passes to the wingers and Steve Chamberlin exploited a hibernating Moose fore-check and carried the puck all the way into their offensive zone.

Notes: Captain Alicia Walker celebrated her birthday by rejoining the club after sitting out 2 games with a broken rib. “The team played 10 times better with me in the lineup,” boasted Walker…Sharon Choi celebrated her graduation by playing drunk in front of family and friends. “I’m not saying I have a different perspective after graduating but we seemed to use more ice tonight,” said Choi. The rink was measured after the game, however, and remained the same size as last week…The Sled Dogs next game is June 3 vs. Blizzard at 7:00pm.