D8 Dogs Exorcise Phantoms In Shootout, Win 2-1

Who ya’ gonna call? Alex Leung!

SKYRINK, July 21, 2006 – The Sled Dogs took another step forward tonight beating the Phantoms in a shootout to keep their playoff hopes alive. The result sent a mild shock wave through D8’s top 4 teams, 3 of which are now tied for second place. These teams now know that the Sled Dogs are a real threat to steal the final D8 playoff spot should any of them falter in the closing weeks of the season.

The Sled Dogs skated hard right from the opening face-off taking the game right to the decaying Phantoms. Despite the evenly played flow of the game, however, the Phantoms managed to score in the first period utilizing a couple of well-known scare tactics. They outfitted their lead ghost with scary number 13 and the feared green helmet. Number 13 proceeded to exploit the recoiling Dogs by sliding the puck past Sled Dog goaltender Dom Ardolino.

Between the first and second periods the Dogs resolved to stand up to the fear peddlers and try some scare tactics of their own. Namely by putting the puck on Center Will McMahan’s tape and letting him go to work. The Sled Dogs leading scorer was more than up to the challenge promptly netting the tying goal and putting some fear into the soul-less Phantoms.

The Sled Dog defense took over the game from there stifling the Phantoms at every turn and the game was tied 1-1 after regulation and a five-minute overtime period. The Sled Dogs would once again rely on their sniper skills and Ardolino to pull out the victory in the shootout. Ardolino certainly did his part but the shooting skills left a little to be desired.

Ardolino was unbeatable in the shootout for the second straight time setting up Center Alex Leung’s golden opportunity to seal the victory. Several Dog shooters had already failed to score blaming the chewed up ice in front of the Phantoms goal but Leung stepped up to the plate, big-time. “I heard what they were saying about the ice,” said Leung, “but I didn’t care. This was the Dogs night!”

With the game resting on his stick, Leung calmly took the puck at center ice and skated toward the shaking Phantom goalie. Leung’s shot ripped the back of the net so hard that many of the stunned Phantoms felt the puck never crossed the line and could be seen crying to the officials while the pumped Sled Dogs mobbed Leung and Ardolino.

The Sled Dogs return to the ice July 22 at 7:00pm vs. Blizzard.