Rarely does a team have both the fewest wins AND fewest losses 16 games into a season. The A team doesn't either... but they're close, 2nd last to only the winless D team in wins with 5, but also tied for the fewest loses with 4, thanks to 7 ties in 16 tries. At the final whistle to this game, goalie Kyle threw up his arms and was heard to shout: "It wasn't a tie!!!" Though, truth be told, it took him making a spectacular save to stop an outright breakaway with mere seconds left to preserve that win.
Phew!
The A team did all their offensive damage in the second period, when they roared back from a 1-0 1st period deficit to score four goals, starting with a perfect shot high glove side by Andrew V on a nice feed from behind the net by Kasey to tie the score 1-1. Garrett then potted his first of the season on a feed from Patrick, skating down the right wing and shooting a winner through the five-hole to give the A team a lead it would never relinquish. Shortly afterwards, Kasey had his second assist of the game, this time feeding Dylan. The A team's scoring was rounded out late in the period by Jackson, this time on an assist from Dylan. Note that Garrett had second assists on both of the last two goals to lead the team with 3 points.
And then, as it has been almost all season, it was Kyle's turn to shine, making several key saves in the third period as the D-team fought hard to get back into the game, culminating in his most spectacular save in the dying seconds.
THREE STARS:
1. Garrett: (1 G, 2 A, 5 shots, +1) - pairing him up with much-more stay-at-home and defensive-minded Patrick turned out to be a good thing, as it allowed him to roam with much less risk.
2. Kasey: (0 G, 2 A, 2 shots, +1) - Kasey was his usual offensive threat, always dangerous in the opposition's zone.
3. Andrew V: (1 G, 0 A, 6 shots, +1) - perhaps Andrew's best game, as he was also a constant threat in the opposition's zone.
Honorable mention: Kyle (virtually always deserving of 3-star consideration; easily earned a place this game as well); Tommy (his best game also, stealing the puck from the opposition several times to create good scoring chances, and otherwise solid all game); Dylan: (1 G, 1 A; another player almost always deserving of 3-star consideration for his persistent hard work).
Next game is Sunday (tonight) at 9:30 at Nichols vs. the first-place Bandits B team.
Article by KP White
For stats, go to:
https://ballcharts.com/team/?team=banditsmidgethockey&pg=stats