The Canadian National Fantasy Hockey League

Czechmates 3 - Ice 7

As the critics thought, and fans at home knew, this would be a tough series. Even tougher as the team goes without it's top 3 players into game one of the series. After a laser filled stadium show for the Ice introduction.... the Mates stepped onto the ice and it was game on.

Both teams came out hesitant, not wanting the first goal ending up in there net.... and the intensity didn't pick up until the 7 minute mark. I.Allin of the Mates, who has been designated as #1 centerman, took to the ice, and on the ensuing play, B.Cox took Allin hard into the boards during a Mates dump in. The gloves came off and both would end up with 5 minute majors. This spurred the Ice club, now knowing the Mates were playing with farm club centerman.... and they took advantage as M.T. Moore would feed D.Messing a two on one pass as Messing crossed the blueline with C.Healey........ tape to tape pass and the puck was in the Mates net. 1-0 Ice.

Czechmates would keep up the intensity after the goal though, and this would net them a power play as S.Huffman of the Ice would be penalized for a charging call. The Mates would take the P.P. advantage and use it well as L.Static and R.Vaive would work the puck behind the Ice net, then as defenseman M.Buhaj came in from the point, Vaive would pass and Buhaj would let one fly top corner. 1-1. The game would continue at a steady pace... the Mates playing a defensive lock system to keep the puck out of there end. Just under a minute remaining in the first, Mates H.Guiliano would steal the puck at center ice, break in alone and backhand a shot, beating B.Szopiak glove side. 1-2 Mates. Baaaaaaaaaahhhh horn would sound and the Mates would come out of period one ahead of the suprised Ice club.

The Ice came out for period two with some jump. The puck would drop and the Ice would put on sustained pressure in the Mates zone. It would pay off as M.Patillo would receive a great feed and bury the puck through a screened X.Labelle. 2-2. But it would take only 13 seconds for the Mates to respond. Again, L.Static and R.Vaive would work there magic behind the net with B.Cruz this time coming off the point and being the recipient of the puck. Through the legs of B.Szopiak and the game was again 2-3 Mates. The game would go on, the Ice hesitant to make another mistake and end up down by two..... but at the 17 minute mark, F.Clarke would again tie the game as the Ice began to penetrate the Mates blue line. 3-3. V.Petrusev of the Mates would then take a double minor at the 19:56 mark, which wouldn't help the Mates for the third period. It was then, the most controversial goal...... as the last seconds ticked off the clock, B.Cox of the Ice would let a shot go from the blue line which would go in. X.Labelle was already headed to the dressing room as the puck went in, never having a chance. The goal was creditted at the 20:00 which had the Mates GM fuming......."What the _uck was that!!! Clearly the tape review showed that the puck went in as the horn sounded..... even the period light went on..... but still the ref would have none of it and creditted the Ice with the 4-3 leading goal.

With the Mates down a man to start the third, the Ice gunners would then feed.... J.Spicoli would find the back of the net and the Ice would take a two goal advantage. 5-3 Ice. F.Clark and N.Sullivan of the Ice would end the rout.... as the period was filled with penalties.... with there two goals... the game would end 7-3 Ice.

The Mates quickly left the ice and proceeded to the change room.... knowing the club would again face the challenge of playing with out there top 3.
It is said that Centerman J.Stacer would be ready for game 3 at home, while both J.Akick and J.Krakofsky would be questionable for game 3 and probable for game 4. Not soon enough says captain of the Czechmates, J.Stacer.
J.Stacer"It was pretty depressing to have to sit back and watch the game. Not just the outcome, but some of the calls tonight I think were just horrible. I will be participating in the morning skate with the guys, but I've been cleared to play game 3, so I'll just have to give the guys morale support for the time being."

So, there you have it... Mates go down 7-3 in game one. We'll see you game 2 with full play by play. I'm Rusty Nailes reporting, now back to your regular scheduled programming......... As the owner of the dog, you must make it know your the boss..... PPPPSSSHHHPPPP good dog.... let him know that your the boos....PPPSSSHHPPP..... see, he already knows that I am master......