By Michael Garbacz
Game 1: Blues 2, Delmarva Soil and Concrete Red Wings 5
After a couple of Sundays of rain delays, the league renewed action with a contest between the Blueshirts and Wings. The Huntsman’s squad jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first and didn’t look back, sealing the win against the Parksley Original’s crew. Stapleton recorded a goal and two assists for the Wings; Ethan Ayer struck gold twice; George Smith and Michael Garbacz each tickled the twine; Matt Sullivan and Justin Wheeler each chipped in an apple. For the Blues, Matt Yetter rifled home both of his team’s markers; McKaley Parks and James Haley picked up a helper apiece.
Game 2: K&E Marine Capitals 3, EZ Loan Bruins 5
Despite missing their captain, the irreplaceable Pat Trick, the Caps still gave the Killer B’s a run for their money. Ultimately, though, his absence would be sorely felt in the third period, into which the Caps carried a 2-1 advantage. The Smooth Criminal decided to let himself off the chain, depositing the biscuit in the basket thrice to essentially take the win single-handedly (he scored four total for the game). Bradley Colona potted the other B’s goal; Chris Potter recorded two assists; Gabe Nock picked up one. For the Caps, Brett Morgan netted two markers; Sharkey Parks picked up a goal and an assist; Jenny Hagler and Jack Smith each added a helper.
Game 3: 3 Knots Taphouse Whalers 1, NeuBeam Harambe 5
Each of these teams showed up to the tilt shorthanded; unfortunately for the Whalers, it was both the number of bodies and also youth. Accordingly the gorilla squad took full advantage and sailed for the win, outshooting their opponents 20-8. Robbie Washington recorded a hattie; Caleb Clark and Zach Webb each recorded a goal and an assist; power forward Jennie Rice and Danny Tweedy each threw in an apple. The Whalers did manage to spoil the Harambe shutout parade, though, thanks to newcomer Erik Clark, who tickled the twine in the third with a little help from New York Metzger.
Game 4: Thornton Services Renegades 2, Delmarva Soil and Concrete Red Wings 1 (Shootout)
The best game of the day was a rowdy-yet-defensive affair that could not, would not be settled in regulation. Each of these teams attacked the ball ferociously, and there was no time to build any momentum for either side. The Wings struck first in the second, but the Renegades pulled back even in the third. As the hourglass ran empty it remained knotted at 1, so the decision went to a shootout. There, only captain Dustin Aigner was able to find the back of the net, sealing an extra point in the standings for the ‘Gaders. In regulation, Mike McCready scored for the Red Wings from assists by Wes Stapleton and Ethan Ayer. For the Renegades, Trey Lodge put home a La Boca rebound.
Game 5: Blues 2, K&E Marine Capitals 4
The Blues are oh-so close to turning the corner and capturing wins as they continue to build chemistry, but today was not that day. The dynamic duo of Sharkey Parks and Brett Morgan essentially seized control of things from the start and did not look back. Scoring all of the Caps’ goals and accounting for 24(!) of the team’s 27 total shots, they put on a literal youth clinic. The Blues dug their heels in and stayed with it, particularly in the third, but it was not to be. Guy Shover and James Haley scored in the loss for the Blues; TR Hoyt registered an assist. Morgan netted a hattie for the Caps; Parks threw in a goal and two assists; Keith Hagler and Chauncey Smith each added a helper.
Game 6: 3 Knots Taphouse Whalers 2, EZ Loan Bruins 5
Down legs, youth, and energy burned in a prior tilt, the Whalers faced an obstacle of Killer proportions. They fought mightily to keep the B’s honest in this one, but still found themselves facing the business end of the Smooth Criminal’s squad. New York Metzger took it upon himself to stave off the shutout by potting a pair of goals; Erik Clark added an assist. For the Bruins, Bradley Colona and Williams each shared the riches, amounting to two goals and an apple apiece. Chris Potter registered a multi-point game with a tickler and a helper; Nick Jones and Pat Cornwell each picked up an assist.
Game 7: NeuBeam Harambe 4, Thornton Services Renegades 2
The day’s final contest had a very chippy and playoff-like feel about it, as the gorilla squad was able to claw a win away from the ‘Gaders. These teams went ‘hard in the paint,’ in the parlance of our times, playing with a bit of a surprising edge considering it’s November, and not May. Once again, Robbie Washington was flying high, recording a second-straight hat trick and adding an assist; Zach Webb scored the other goal and added an apple; Caleb Clark and power forward Jennie Rice each registered an assist. For the Renegades, Trey Lodge and La Boca each put the biscuit in the basket; Ben Bundick and Dustin Aigner each recorded an assist.
ESSHL Senior League Action resumes Sunday, November 10 at 1:30 p.m. at Stapleton Rink in Parksley. (These are make-up games from October 27.)
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