Game Recaps
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The season opener for the PTAHL would be between Team ODIN and the Phantoms, both of whom had championship aspirations with their revamped rosters. Both goalies, Tyler Morris of Team ODIN and Tony Bucci of the Phantoms, would open with their share of saves in a contentious, up and down, first period. ODIN would be the first to get on the board when a swashbuckling run by Matt "Strawberry Milk" Skjeie would see him cross the offensive blue line, which would allow Brian "The Salamander" Salvesen to catch up and get in position for a pass as a trailer, which he would grab and fire in high, for 1-0. After a Devin Long hold, Team ODIN would have to defend well to keep their lead, which they would do, as Morris made four saves while his team was short. Not only did the Danger Zoners defend well, but they would do one better and net short handed, when The Salamander would deflect the puck away from a Phantom and out of the ODIN defensive zone, which would be chased down by one of their recent acquisitions in this off-season (through the draft), Chris Ostapiuk, who would go high with his forehand. Now up 2-0, ODIN smelt blood in the water and would have an opportunity to go up by three before the first intermission, doing just that, with Captain Jason Fischbach on a 2-on-1 from Devin Long. The second period would begin with ODIN ahead 3-0 on goals and 11-9 on shots, but the Phantoms would have an early opportunity to get going when a puck would squirt out of their defensive zone, leading to a breakaway by Brian Modzelewski, who would gain control of it just inside the offensive zone. Modzelewski would try to beat Morris low, but would be denied by a left pad save, although he would get a second crack at it when the rebound came right back to him, whacking in for the Phantoms' first goal. Now with something with which to work, the Phantoms would gear up for another goal, but would instead concede when Chris Taormina would finish from the other recent ODIN acquisition via draft, Ryan Bolton, and Dean Moakler, for 4-1. Morris would continue to flash the leather to maintain his team's three goal cushion, which would stay, heading into the second intermission. The shot totals were now 22-18 ODIN, as they continued to pace that stat, but the Phantoms would come alive and start to pepper Morris, who was still keeping the Phantoms from getting any closer. The Phantoms would eventually have a 5-on-3, during which Morris would continue to prove his worth, staving off the Phantoms for until his team could return to down a man. At 5-on-4, the Phantoms would crack Morris, with Brian Modzelewski on a one-timer from Phil Meade, and it would now be 4-2 ODIN. But that would be as close as the Phantoms would get, as Morris continued his phenomenal play. Even with a pulled goalie, the Phantoms could not get another past Morris, and would instead fall further behind, when The Salamander would cap off a 5-2 ODIN win with the empty netter. The final shot totals were 35 for the Phantoms (outshooting Team ODIN 17-9 in the third period), and 31 for Team ODIN, with Tyler Morris (33 saves, 2GA) winning the Stateside Tap + Tavern Man of the Match Award.
Date: September 8, 2021
Time: 9:25pm
Venue: Protec Ponds Ice Center
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