Game Recaps
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The Hooligans and Sewer Rats would kick off the Division 4 season, and this game would be mostly defined by goaltending in the first period. James Coughlin of the Hooligans and fill-in netminder Dave Nguyen of the Sewer Rats would each make their share of quality saves, Coughlin flashing the leather with his glove multiple times, while Nguyen utilized his pads to stymie the Hooligans' low attempts. But neither would get through the period unscathed, because Andy "The Ox" Viox would crack Coughlin on a one-timer from Darren Kamikura, who initially received the puck from Ralph Bowen, and it was 1-0 Rodents. The Hooligans would retaliate with Chris Gallo's trusty slap shot, from Mike Dillon, which would elude Nguyen, but the Sewer Rats went into the second period ahead after Boris Raizberg would hit the target from Eric Vogt, for 2-1 on goals, also leading on shots, 11-8. The second period would see a profound turnaround by the Hooligans, who would begin with a goal by rookie Dylan Jones from Dillon. Big Mike Leong followed this with a goal from Joe "Clutchison" Hutchison, who lived up to his name by performing some phenomenal dekes, and playing the puck to a trailing Leong, who fired in a slap shot for a Hooligans' lead. Coughlin would stone Mark Phelps on a breakaway, then Jones would double that lead with low finish. Those would be the only goals of the second period, as Nguyen buckled down and kept his team in it, but they would have to go into the third period down two. The Hooligans would inflate their advantage to 5-2 with a Clutchison goal on an odd man rush from Davey Leong, and would suck the life out of most of the remainder of the game, behind Coughlin's strong goaltending. With the game nearing its conclusion, the Sewer Rats would finally pull closer, when Eric "Bogus" Rogus went off the bar and in from Eric Vogt, perhaps setting the stage for as frenetic as a finish as you could see, then they would pull Nguyen for the extra attacker. But there would be no more Sewer Rats goals, and instead, a Hooligans' empty netter, when Gallo would cap off a 6-3 win for the Hooligans on opening night, as James Coughlin won the Stateside Tap + Tavern Man of the Match Award (31 saves on 34 shots).
Date: September 12, 2021
Time: 7:15pm
Venue: Protec Ponds Ice Center
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