The Game of the Week on the Olympic Ice was destined to be a tough battle. Both teams met each other in the preseason, each with a high octane offense. Controversy began weeks before this matchup when Americans Goalie and Mouthpiece Andrew “Spicy” Hetes claimed the Ducks did not score the 10 goals tallied on the scoreboard to tie the Americans. First Round Pick and League Curmudgeon “Pistol” Pete Niphoratos was unrelenting in his shit stirring, hoping to get the Americans netminder off his game. Further still, Machi on Machi crime was likely going to occur in this matchup with the newly minted Sam Machi out for his brother’s blood after recording a team high two hits in preseason for the Americans.
GAME RECAP:
My Dinner With Andre Wheaties
Hetes: With the puck drop underway I felt the first period was a fast paced, tepid affair as both teams began testing out each other’s defenses. Both teams launched perimeter shots, and tried some down low passes on the narrow playing defenses. One of the better chances came with about five minutes to go in the first when league agitator Sugar Cube (opposite of his name) dished it to Asst. GM Turtle Tim. Turtle got all of it, but rifled it low into my pads, and I was able to steer it to a defenseman. Pistol had a shot as well that I gloved and he was grinning the entire time he quipped after the game “[I was just trying to get a whistle after a long shift and figured I’d test you. You never know.]” The chirping, and controversy started at the end of the period however, when Skillman and Pistol seemingly had a little tug sesh at the blueline?
Machi: The Top Ducks certainly came out fast and hard, hoping to knock you guys on your heels. But Proctor and co. are no slouches and gave us a run for our money, too. I have to give props to our grinders, though. Gibb caused a turnover in the slot on our first shift and allowed me to get a decent shot on you. If you were Troy Otto or I was a little faster, I might have lit the light.
When Pistol and Skillman collided, the ensuing confusion caused you guys to score, no doubt. I’m calling it Interference, I believe I saw Skillman stick his ass out to cause Pete to go down, but our refs didn’t agree with the Ducks’ assessment.
Andre Wheats: From my end, and perspective Skillman was standing still. Pete bumped into him. “It wasn’t intentional,” Skillman said after the game I don’t think Pistol, or you guys would have moaned if the defensemen didn’t lose their marks and we got a goal. It was just a bit serendipitous, and excellent vision by Proctor to continue the play.
Rookie ref and league workout oficiando Peso was quoted as saying:
“I felt there was no impeding of Pistol on the play because Skillman was standing still. Had he been moving the call may have been different.”
After the end of the first. The Americans were up 1-0 with a twine bender from their “Starr” wing John Starr. He cashed in with 20 seconds left in the period off the cross ice thread from League MVP Proctor the space coming off the controversial blueline pick. The shots after the first were 5-6 in favor of the Americans.
Machi: The second period started with a lot less steam than the first. An early penalty by Skillman did put a stride in our step (I actually thought I was being called for something and was confused as hell).
Hetes: That’s not the only time you were confused this game (looks to your stellar third period heroics.) We put out our PK featuring Sam Machi, GM and Asst. GM Brauny and Manny,and lastly Paul Antioch out, and were able to get some shots off the counter attack even a man down. When Skillman got the penalty our GM’s switched from the PSP line and Skillman on the grindline to a 1A and 1B paring Antioch with Skillman on the second line.
Machi: The American grinders found a way to control play. Honestly, I’ve never seen Allen move with that much determination unless he was about to take out his own teammate. Also, Sam Machi had a few opportunities to keep play alive in the American’s offensive zone. I saw him pick a couple of high skill players. I bet the Diques are kicking themselves for passing on him. Another late rounder, Drago, was looking pretty hot all night. However, the offseason and I guess the new baby has turned him into a bit of a shit stirrer. Maybe he was tired and needed to hold on to someone to rest, but I can’t think of a worse person to do that to than Sugar.
Spicy Lettuce: Sam Machi had the the third highest TOI puck possession rating for the Americans. He played a hell of a game, and kept play alive when needed agreed. Drago was a bulldog tonight as well paired with early possible grindline Norris candidate Shepard. The narrative in the second was Old Glory carrying play, and Ronnie’s saves.
Machi: Ronnie definitely kept the Ducks alive in this period, though. He was peppered quite a bit midway through, and survived a relentless late period PK after Sugar went to the box. It was only after the 3rd or 4th shot in one offensive push that he finally let Proctor score.
Hetes: When the home of the Free and Brave changed up their lines I felt we sustained more shots on Ronnie. We had the puck in your zone more, and were able to have those long stretch passes cross zone which in turn stretched your defense. This stretching of your narrow defensive formation allowed the Red, White and Blue to out shoot, and chance you in the last 7min or so, eventually leading to the above mentioned Proctor the Doctor’s goal. Get a low cross circle pass from the right point, and get a shot, then a second, and finally deciding that it would be better to just flip it over a Hasek-sprawled Ronnie for the lamp lighter.
Big Sexy Machi: Yeah, but Ronnie was super close to getting that damn scorpion save on that shot. What I wouldn’t give to see him make that save.
Andre Wheats: That would have been a “DA NA NA DA NA NA MNLHN Top Ten of Play of the Night!“ He’s flashed that type of ability before in the scrimmages, you know he can make a big save if called upon.
After we scored coach and GM’s Manny and Brauny were preaching from the bench to keep the pressure going. If we could get a third before the second period ended the game would be all but in doubt. Hard work paid off as the period wound down Proctor went one on one with Sugar in the Ducks end coming from their left blue line he chipped it past him trying to get a breakaway. This resulted in Grandma’s Sweet Tea getting beat, but making the smart play throwing his arms out interfering with a now knocked to the ice Proctor. Sugar shook his head and complained to the non-Peso ref that Proctor fell, but it was clearly a penalty. The Doctor earned a penalty, and it was good one to take from Hardyparty, but no need to chirp about it after. The common theme this night seemed to be late period dramatics between these juggernauts.
The shots after the end of the second were Americans 19 Ducks 11 with the Stars and Stripes up 2-EGG (that’s 0 goals for Pistol -for those counting at home).
Big Sexy Machi: I definitely felt the shift in possession when you made the line adjustments, but damnit if Proctor wasn’t asking for it on that play at the end of the second. You walk into our house like that and don’t expect a little body?! Especially after Drago was hanging all over Sugar all night, you know he was gonna take his shot. A couple of you clowns on the bench were calling for a penalty shot, though. Come on, man, that’s a hockey play, don’t get greedy.
Hetes: I think Proctor was expecting some booty not body by going to the net. . . 😉 It was definitely not a penalty shot. I didn’t hear that from blue fortress. A smart penalty, but not a penalty shot.
Machi: The third period really gave us our best chances at winning this game. The penalty jumbled up our lines and I actually found myself skating with Turtle for a shift or two. We were generating more chances and started to control the puck all over the ice.
Hetes: Going into the third we switched back from a 1A/1B to a Star/Grind line and first minute or so we had some control. The last half of the powerplay the momentum started to shift. Turtle, Pete and The Mountain Whom Skates kept the puck in our zone for the remainder of the PP, and then some. There was a handful of shots from varying positions on the ice, and a lot of passing from Gretzky’s office. I think Allan Z had a shot or two in this span?
Machi: Grind Line Center Allan ZZZ had multiple good shots but nothing good enough to get on the board. I definitely fed him one from behind the net, and I have no idea how he didn’t beat you. He wanted that one back, for sure. I also found my legs and took a shot on you low but you had a good glove save.
Spicy Lettuce: At this point it became clear we were going to be more defensive the rest of the game with a 2-EGG lead and the clock winding down. We would continue to shoot, and control the puck when available but it was more of a formality to kill time.
The Flying V continued to try to shoot pucks from anywhere in our zone, but our defenseman (especially Drago and Shepard) beared down and made my job easy retrieving pucks and eliminating second chances. It was the reaching of the 3 min mark when the Red, White and Blue got into some trouble chasing one too many pucks down. . .
Big Sexy Machi: From that long battle in your zone is where we finally hatched our egg. LeRoy got the deflected puck/missed shot and fired a long clapper from our right side of the ice, just to the right of the circle. It deflected just enough for it to get around you while I was crashing the net. I’ll be honest, I thought he scored clean, but when you told me it knocked off my ass and into the net, I chose to believe it.
Andre Wheats: You mallards implemented our strategy and started to throw the puck cross ice, and work it down low. It was a missed shot/deflection that found Leroy on the boards. You were in the perfect spot. I was moving from the right post to left, to track the puck that was already coming from that direction. I tried close the gaps in my body when I saw your HUGE EGGPLANT a foot to right blocker outside the blue. It was a perfect deflection off of you just past the right of my blocker. Right place and time.
Machi: We did end up pulling Ronnie pretty early.
Hetes: At what like the two and half minute mark?
Machi: It was around 2:30, yeah. However, you froze the puck pretty quickly and then we left six out. It might have been smarter to put Ronnie back in and allow us to set up instead of hoping we win the draw. Proctor got a textbook pass to get around our D and walked the puck into the empty net. He was actually quoted saying “I didn’t want to make the same mistake Peso did.” And then damnit if Drago doesn’t find his stride to make it 4-1 with a minute left.
Hetes: After the quick empty netter, Ryan Allen got his hustle on beating your grindline D with Drago entail to his left. Allen rang a shot off the post from the right hashmark that bounced to Drago for the backdoor finish.
The scoring wasn’t done yet however. Even with the last minute being largely academic -killing the clock- with seven seconds left in the game Hardyparty92 entered the zone with the puck. On a already celebrating mindset American defense, he got the primary assist on a Allan Z goal. Sugar Cube’s shot hit a skate out front of the net and careened sideways to Allan’s stick. Where he buried it top cheddar for the easy slam dunk, and the movie rights to: Allen’s Consolation Stats Part Two Electric Boogaloo; akin to the last minute Drago and Ryan Allen goal.
Machi: I think the game was a lot closer than the score might suggest (or Troy’s BS Power Rankings). We tried to cross the slot a lot, but failed to connect. Your defensemen (and Sammy) also found themselves in front of an obscene amount of shots. With a little bit of practice and chemistry development, the Ducks will be a much more difficult opponent for our Patriotic friends. Everyone needs to watch out for the Baby Ducklings, though. Our grinders were buzzing all night and managed to net both our goals, even if one was an accident and the other was in garbage time. Final shot count: Brooklyn Americans 28 Mighty Ducks 23
Closing remarks:
You think this is a game?!
I think the game proved some doubters wrong, and also solidified some storylines for both teams. The Mountain Whom Skates will play a huge role in the coming season as he will be relied on to solidify that rotational first pairing while DougEFresh is out. The Ducks defense I still feel is a bit of a question mark, but the answers are in the team, perhaps just not in place.
If the Mighty Ducks go forward with a Star/Grind line concept most of the season, that first line has to contribute. They cannot be blanked off the board and expect to win most nights (for those at home that’s a final tally of 0 goals for the Greek, Spicy came out on top this time).
I thought Ronnie played real well, and did what was asked when called upon. The biggest surprise (and it might be early to get excited) for the Mighty Ducks was the grindline’s offense. If they can contribute and keep pace with other team’s grindlines or 1Bs that will be all the Mallards can ask for.
For the Americans, there was more good on the ice than bad tonight. The question of whether Spring was a fluke for Proctor was answered with a great night, and shrewd drafting from the American’s GMs. Slotting up two puck possession players in Antioch and Starr (which may be just as much of a Starr as Proctor?) for the King to play off of. It’s evident that the High Sticks implementation of him as a defensive forward/finding the right chemistry may have been what the real issue was.
The American’s defense after the first pairing was also a christmas miracle and played better than anyone could have guessed. Shepard was quoted after the game as saying “Yeah I have never played defense before this season. This was my second skate at it.” Well my friend I will relish seeing you and Drago there the rest of the season, it was all a keeper could ask for.
Spicy Lettuce showed up to the game and stopped some vulcanized rubber as well. There were doubts after the stinkers that were the most recent scrimmages, but those may have been put to bed -we’ll see if the trend continues going forward.
The Americans will have to look at their line combinations going forward as they skated with ten last night. Will that affect their chemistry or enhance it going forward?
Stars of the Game
1st Star: Proctor – Is the King back from the dead? Some say no, others say hell yes. Starting the season with 3 points definitely makes his case, though. Expect teams to have a second glance at the player whose career Machi almost destroyed.
2nd Star: John Starr – Getting scoring started for the Americans with nothing short of a beauty, watch this player as he continues to get into his groove. Also, what a patriotic name.
3rd Star: Machi’s Eggplant – Never has this thing done less and gotten more credit. Good Job Leroy for making a great play.
Honorable Mentions:
Peso’s Whistle: much like his baby gap tees the baby gap whistle was hardly heard on the ice. Some hijinks ensued, and laughs were had around after the game. A solid first outing for the rookie ref.
Sam Machi: had a hell of a game. Didn’t touch the scoreboard, but prior mentioned created some turnovers, moved the puck when called upon, and was positionally sound.
Zauner AKA The Mountain Who Skates: he is a terrifying man on the ice but a great guy off it. Expect some more strong defense from him as he manhandles forwards in front of the crease. Just hope you don’t make him angry.
Shepard: Calm, cool, and collected with the puck on his stick. If early season indicators are anything he may be in the running for the Calder, and Grindline Norris trophy. The pairing of Drago and Shepard went +2 and held Pistol Pete, Turtle Tim and Sugar Cube off the scoreboard -the other on paper best star line in the league. If he can string a few of these performances together star lines look out.
Ronnie: Kept the Ducks alive through this loss. He was solid throughout the whole game. The Ducks let him down a bit but he still managed some sexy saves. Watch out for this goalie as the season progresses.
-This is Junior Señor Reporter Carlos Antonio Machismo-
and
-This is S.I Reporter Andre Wheaties-
Signing off.
*All opinions expressed by Andre’ Wheats and Carlos Antonio Machismo are a reflection of MNLHN.
