SUNDAYS #2 vs. ZOMBIES:

(vol. 9S, no. 2; newsletter by c.g.)
The action was fast and furious in Game #2 of the Sunday night season as the host Pirates took on the Zombies. Both teams were looking to bounce back after disappointing opening day losses and a bump up the ladder in the standings. The Pirates were without stalwarts Roger Weiss, Jimmy Ferraro, and Scooby, but they were helped out by a second Farkas (as Glenn paired with his brother Bobby) to form 2/3rds of an offensive line, bringing the skating total to nine.

The 1st period saw a lot of action as both teams felt each other out, and pressed for the opening score without giving up too much defensively. Needless to say it was a defensive battle, with Russ, LeMatty, and Dave Matthews doing an outstanding job of protecting Harris, and not allowing a goal. Offensively, the Pirates lines of Ralz-Wildman-Chris and the Farkas brothers plus Dan, were getting chances but just couldn't finish. It seemed like the funk that permeated the week before had stuck around as the Pirates were being out-hustled to the puck, and having the play taken to them, instead of the other way around. The 1st period ended 0-0.

The Pirates got back to "Pirate hockey" with the start of the 2nd as the offense started to generate more opportunties, while the defensive corps plus Harris held the Zombies down. Shortly into the period Tim scooped up a loose puck in the Zombies zone and deked it past the goalie for the 1-0 lead. Several more good chances were turned away by the Zombies goalie, John Arena, but the hustle was all Pirates as the period ended with the Pirates keeping the 1-0 lead.

The 3rd period began precariously as the Pirates — although outplaying the Zombies — were only up by a goal. While the Zombies weren't getting many chances, the Pirates really needed to secure another to have a little breathing room. Scott LeMatty single-handedly provided just that; he wheeled his way through the Zombie defense and, while being tripped to the ground, backhanded a shot past Arena for the 2-0 lead. The Pirates continued to take the play to the Zombies for most of the rest of the period. Then, with only :40 seconds to play (and the Zombies having pulled their goalie for the extra skater) both teams lined-up for a face-off deep in Pirate territory. A small battle ensued as the puck was dropped and somehow a Zombie player found himself alone in front of the Pirates net with the puck. Harris, who hadn't been overly worked on this evening, instantly sprawled out on his side denying the player any opportunity to score, and thus preserving a well played shutout. meet them again, things will be a little different.

WON 2-0

THE
SILVER
SKULLS

1) TIM HAND
For the GWG and for “his fancy deke move goal.”

2) SCOTT LeMATTY
For “the goal that gave us some breathing room” and “a more relaxed defense outing than Week #1, and a very big goal.”

3) HARRIS
For the shutout and “he came up big when he had to. Anytime you can get a shutout in this league, you're doing something good.”