Week of October 17 (Game 1) – After starting the season losing their first two games by lopsided scores, it appears that Island of Misfit Toys have turned around their season by winning three of their last four games. Facing the first place Broken Promises team which had won its last two games, Island of Misfit Toys turned up the offense in running away with a 6 – 2 thrashing of Broken Promises.
After spotting Broken Promises an early goal just over a minute into this game, Island of Misfit Toys quickly took control of this game as Matty Iannello was set up by Ray Nickerson to score a minute later, which was followed by Matty returning the favor and setting up Ray three minutes later with some help from Carlos Machado.
In the second period, Island of Misfit Toys broke this game wide open scoring the next two goals. Mike O’Neil scored his first goal of the game out front, on an unassisted individual effort. That was followed by Colleen O’Connell scoring her first goal of the season from the point (even Colleen can score a goal before Jim Barber). Broken Promises climbed back within two goals late in the second period.
The third period was more of the same for island of Misfit Toys as first Matty scored two minutes in, that was followed by Mike O’Neil scoring in close to wrap up the scoring. Broken Promises couldn’t get their offense in gear, had problems in their defensive end and were due for one of these games.
Week of October 17 (Game 2) – This was the best played game so far this season as some players from Labatt Blues were overheard saying how they had circled this date on their calendars in anticipation of facing HABitual Complainers again after blowing a two-goal lead in the third period and losing the first game they played each other. Goalie Bill Gardynski Jr was certainly locked in for this game as he stopped 32 shots and wave after wave of scoring chances to lead Labatt Blues to a gritty 3 – 0 shut out over HABitual Complainers.
This would be another game featuring two teams playing different styles, as it matched up the ball control set up game of Labatt Blues against the run and gun and run some more up tempo speed game of HABitual Complainers. Rookie Walter Maslak scored the game’s first goal only two and a half minutes in as he took a cross rink pass from Shawn Miville and buried his chance to put Labatt Blues up early.
The second period saw HABitual Complainers turn up the speed in generating multiple scoring opportunities, especially from their second line that featured two rookies, only to stare in disbelief when goalie Bill Gardynski Jr did his best Carey Price imitation as he calmly turned every shot aside while not leaving any rebounds.
Heading into the third period in a 1-0 game, both teams kept the offensive pressure dialed up at a high level. At this point it was either team’s game to win and everyone knew that the next goal scored would be the key. Three minutes in, a loud roar could be heard as Shawn Miville scored as he was set up by Walter, keeping his goal scoring streak alive at 6 games. Three minutes later, giving his team some breathing room, saw Ray Dow score, set up by Shawn and Mark Stickney.
As previously mentioned, the stand out player in this game was goalie Bill Gardynski Jr, as he turned in one of his vintage performances in shutting out the high powered offense of HABitual Complainers.
