Week of September 17 (Game 1) – Sour Grapes just can’t seem to find a way to close out their first win of the season, as once again they had a lead late in the third period, but, couldn’t hold on, settling for a 3 – 3 tie against Shark Attack. For the second straight game, they held the lead late in the third period, but could not close the deal.
After a scoreless first period, playing without their captain and regular goalie, Sour Grapes took a two goal lead early in the second period as first George Medeiros scored an unassisted goal out front three minutes in. This was followed a minute and a half later by Rick Cassano’s goal set up by very big Mike Surette (who finally got credit for an assist and not see that go to another team mate (hello Jamie Kehoe in 2015). Two minutes later, after some lackluster play till this point in the game, Shark Attack started to press the defense which resulted in Mark Richardson scoring out front, on a set up by Joe Carlton and Joe Shannon.
Still controlling the play in the third period, Sour Grapes took an ill-advised delay of game penalty three minutes in, allowing Shark Attack’s Niko Vramis, set up by Jim Barber and Mark Stickney, to score on a wicked slap shot from the right point, tying up this game. Three minutes later, George scored his second goal of the game for Sour Grapes, set up by Steve Medeiros and Ricky, to retake the lead. However, repeating short history, Sour Grapes took another penalty a minute later that produced the same result of Niko scoring again from the right point on another slap shot, set up by Mark Stickney.
With less than fifteen seconds to play in this game, George had a golden chance to score his third goal of the game as he was sprung free down the high left slot, but, his quick shot went just wide sending this game into overtime. In overtime, Sour Grapes had a 4 on 3 advantage for two minutes but failed to capitalize. This game came down to the last seconds as Jim Barber was sent in alone with time running out and his slap shot went right into the glove of goalie Sandra Glista as time expired, as the girl prevented Mr. Have Some Fun from having some fun and walk away the hero!
Week of September 17 (Game 2) – Four weeks into the season, Yellow Submarine remains undefeated, winning their third straight game in a nail biter, surging back with three goals late in the third period to just sneak by a short-handed 11 Guys, 1 Ball team by the score of 5 – 4.
In a back and forth first period, Yellow Submarine took the early lead as Brian Kehoe was set up out front by Walter Maslak three minutes into the game. Mike Delorey, playing in his first game, shifted up front to help out on offense, scoring out front with under thirty seconds to play in the period, set up by Dominic Defrancisco and Alex Leone.
In the second period, both teams scored matching goals to keep this a tie game. Umberto Biancardi struck first two minutes in set up by Matty Iannello and Ray Nickerson. With just under two minutes, Dominic came flying out of the penalty box on a breakaway to score an unassisted highlight reel goal into the far top corner (wow what a shot!).
The third period turned out to be a wild period that saw five goals scored by both teams. Ten seconds in, Dominic scored another top shelf highlight reel goal, set up by Mike Delorey and Alex Leone right off the faceoff. Just under four minutes to play saw Dez set up by Matty and Ray. Just over a minute later saw Matty score off a two-on-none break with some nifty passing with Ray. Before you could say comeback, right off the ensuing faceoff, Ray Dow unleashed a bomb of a slap shot that the goalie saved but the ball rolled through his pads into the net, tying this game back up. With Yellow Submarine pressing the attack resulting in a penalty behind the net on 11 Guys, 1 Ball with just under a minute to play, Jason Carrien emerged as the hero, scoring the game winning goal on a slap shot coming in off the point with only seven seconds to play, set up by Ray (4th assist) and Brian, to cap off the comeback and remain undefeated.
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