Box Score

Dirty Dozen vs. Puck Hogs

Friday, Sep 5, 2008 • 7:45 PM - 3:47 PM • Skatetown Roseville: R2

Score Board

PLAYOFFS	1	2	3	OT	2OT	F
Dirty Dozen	0	2	0	0	1	3
Puck Hogs	1	0	1	0	0	2

Game Summary

THE AGONY OF DEFEAT

PUCK HOGS LOSE IN SILVER B CHAMPIONSHIP
SEPTEMBER 5, 2008 - A packed house witnessed the first seeded Puck Hogs face the third seed Dirty Dozen for the Silver B Championship. In as close a game as could be, the Dozen defeated the Hogs in the shootout to emerge as Summer 2008 Champions.

The Silver B Championship game was destined to be a good one, as the two participants split the season series against each other at one game apiece (GAME 1, GAME 2). The two teams had very different paths to the big show. The Hogs came into this game after their bye in the second round, while the Dirty Dozen pushed through a tough shootout battle against the Flying Wizards in the semifinals. This was the first time in the Hogs' three-season existence that they made the championship game, while the Dozen arrived in just their first season as a team.

The compelling match up started off well for the Puck Hogs, who had a strong first period and carried the edge in play. Both teams maintained a disciplined period, and it wasn't until almost ten minutes into the game when the Hogs' Bob Kula opened the scoring to give the Hogs a 1-0 lead.

The score held going into the second, but this was to be the Dirty Dozen's period. The Hogs let up and allowed the Dozen to outskate and outwork them during the frame, and within a two minute span, the Dozen tied and then got the go ahead goal. Going into the third period, it was the Dozen's turn to hold a one goal lead, at 2-1.

The Hogs came back to life in the third period to try and tie the game, and the home team was rewarded - again at almost ten minutes in the period. A pinching Steve Elias scored his first goal of the season and tied the game for the Hogs at two goals each.

The third period ended with the two teams deadlocked in a two goal tie, putting the game into sudden death over time. The Hogs and Dozen exchanged chances but played a tight checking five minutes.

Overtime solved nothing as neither team could get the game clincher. The only option left to decide the game was the shootout. The Puck Hogs elected to shoot first, but Vince Jones was denied on his deke. At the other end, Dozen leading scorer Sean Gillespie was stoned by Hogs goalie Jake Bradt. Bob Kula's attempt to fake the Dozen netminder was also unsuccessful, as was the Dirty Dozen's reply. Jon Kinney took the last shot for the Hogs, but he too was unable to get the puck through Dozen goalie James Townsend.

The final shot of the game would end up sealing the deal, as Dozen captain Brian Burris went inside out on the Hogs net and fired a shot that bounced post to post, and trickling in no more than an inch over the line. The referee's arm indicated a goal - game, set and match. The Dirty Dozen became the Summer 2008 Silver B Champions.

Maybe next season...

NEXT UP: Winter 2008/09...