Game Recaps
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For most of the first period, goaltending reigned supreme, thanks to Nuno Costa of the Green Brook Berets and Eric Brozek of Holy Book Hockey. The first goal of the game would come with 5:24 remaining in the first period; Mike Merfert, after receiving a pass in his defensive zone from Rich "The Barber" Barbiera, would dart down the left wing and execute a fantastic deke onto his backhand, calmly sliding in for 1-0. Holy Book would nearly ride that Merfert goal into the second period ahead, but with 1:18 to go, the Berets would have the puck in the corner of the offensive zone; that would be where Milton Solis would work it to Darren Kamikura, who would then hit Andrew Bzdula for a one-timer, which he would bury bar down. It would go into the second period at 1-1, with the Berets ahead on shots at 10-8. The second period would be more lovely goaltending by Costa and Brozek, who wouldn't yield, although Costa would be the busier of the two, having to make ten saves to Brozek's four. The phenomenal play by our goaltenders and the excellent atmosphere at the Ponds would give every reason for us to believe we would be in for a third period that would provide all the entertainment the crowd and our friends at Telemundo would need, as these two championship contenders pressed on at a deadlock. The third period would begin with a trip to Milton Solis of Green Brook, and Holy Book would set up their power play, an umbrella. With some fine puck movement, the Bookkeepers would go ahead 2-1 when Merfert Chris "The Devil" Devlin would fire a slap shot from Joe Fallacaro and Bobby Jakubowski, freeing Solis from the penalty box. 22 seconds later, Holy Book would double their lead when The Barber would be on the end of a great play by Fallacaro, who originally received the puck from Bobby Jakubowski after Jakubowski demonstrated some dynamic moves. Now 3-1 up, Holy Book would be hit at the other end when Keith "The Fireball" Fimiani would finish unassisted, then, not completely dissimilarly to the quick pair of goals Holy Book would score, the Berets, 23 seconds later, would level it when Milton Solis would make up for his malfeasance from George Aller and Pat Perez. The uptick in third period goals would continue when The Barber would pull Holy Book up 4-3 from Fallacaro and Danny Manzo. The clock would wind down, but the Berets would equalize and force overtime with a goal by Ralph Bowen from Perez, with the shots 31-30 in favor of Holy Book Hockey. At 4-4, overtime would begin with each team generating some shots, but Costa and Brozek would buckle down from their uncharacteristic third period and stop them all, as the Green Brook Berets would outshoot Holy Book Hockey 34-33 in an up and down, evenly matched game. The Stateside Tap + Tavern Man of the Match Award was won by Eric Brozek (4GA, 30 saves) Nuno Costa (4GA, 29 saves).
Date: October 10, 2021
Time: 7:15pm
Venue: Protec Ponds Ice Center
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