Game # 17 Lindsay Muskies 1 - Bowmanville Eagles 3
October 28th, 2007 in Bowmanville
Summary
The hotly disputed decision to disallow a Lindsay goal in the final two minutes that would have tied the game spoiled what was an exciting game of hockey. No doubt the Lindsay players will feel they were hard done by (especially given their previous grievances against the same referee) but at the end of the day they were just the unlucky club on the wrong end of the result in a game that had so many chances at each end that it became something of a lottery. Either team could have won but as has happened so often lately, the Muskies came away empty-handed. With the exception of that one particular decision at the end of the game, the officials had done a pretty good job, playing their part in providing some excellent entertainment for the crowd - but that one exception was a rather important one.
Period 1
There was plenty of hockey in the first period for the fans to enjoy. There were two goals and both had a hint of good fortune about them. It was the Muskies that struck first through Ryan Oliver. The Lindsay #10 skated past the Eagles' defence and put a shot on net. Azzano seemed to make the save but his secondary motion kicked the puck into the net. The goal was timed at 5:20 and was unassisted. That seemed to wake the home team up a little and they played with more energy. It wasn't long before Richard Nerland had to throw himself onto a loose puck in the crease to preserve the lead. Most the the Muskies' chances were coming on breakaways but it was one of these that led to the tying goal. The puck was carried down the left wing and then dropped back to two trailing Fish. Unfortunately each left the puck for the other to play and instead Bowmanville took it on a three man break the other way. Tom Budziakowski flicked in a shot from near the boards which from the other end looked fairly harmless but it turned out to have enough on it to get between Nerland and his post at 15:15. Both teams were given one powerplay opportunity in the first period and both were squandered.
Period 2
It was down to the two goalies that there was only one more goal in the second period. Again there was plenty of good hockey and plenty of chances but Azzano and Nerland were looking sharp. It was Biowmanville that found the net and it came right at the end of a powerplay. With one second remaining in the advantage, Louke Oakley was allowed too much time to pick his spot. His goal came at 10:44. In the remaining minutes there were several scrambles in both creases which only needed the right touch to bring a goal but the defences won each battle. Aaron Keaney also had a good chance for the Fish as he showed some blistering pace down the right wing and let rip with a shot that Azzano didn't know if he had or not. Sadly for the Muskies he did and so they still trailed by one at the second intermission.
Period 3
The game could very easily have gone either way in the third period. There were many scrambles and good saves at each end, and if each team had scored a couple more it wouldn't have been a surprise. But the goalies did their job and luck continued to remain with the defences. There was little controversy until the final minutes. Then, with a couple of minutes to go the puck was forced into the Bowmanville goal during a scrum in the crease but apparently it wasn't seen by referee Hancock. He skirted around the net appearing to look for it, although those of us watching had seen it in for some time. By the time he found it the net had been knocked off its moorings. The officials conferred and the verdict was 'no goal' but no reason for this was not announced, although the referee's original signals seemed to imply he felt the net was off. Well it was, but not until several seconds after the puck had entered it. If that was the reason for the decision then it was very unfortunate. It was obvious that some of the tempers of the Lindsay players were severely strained by this, none more so than captain Corey George. His mood certainly wasn't helped when from the restart Bowmanville then went to the other end of the ice and Josh Shalla got the insurance goal the Eagles needed at 18:44. It was a shame that such a good game had a shadow cast over it by that one decision because up to that point it had been fairly well officiated and the two teams had given the fans some great hockey to watch.
Box Score: Click here
Game Sheet: Click here
Photographs
After goalie Azzano can't prevent Ryan Oliver's shot from crossing the line, Cam Granger goes hunting for the Lindsay forward to celebrate.
Alex Fiset goes in close but can't beat Azzano.
This time Azzano denies Jordon Sinclair as he hangs onto his shot.
Referee Hancock supervises some repair work after one of several goalmouth scrambles in the second period.
The charge forward in numbers again.
The Eagles' goalie gets caught up in his own netting after yet another scrum in the crease.
Despite the fact that the puck had been in the net since long before the net was first dislodged, referee Hancock appears to still be searching for it. Corey George is already pointing out it was a goal.
The officials confer but what would have been the tying goal was not allowed to stand. Unfortunately the reason for the decision was not announced to the crowd.