Game # 32 Bowmanville Eagles 4 - Lindsay Muskies 2
December 21st, 2007 in Lindsay
Summary
This game was similar in many ways to the game they played here two weeks ago. The Muskies did a lot of things well but didn't generate the number of shots their puck possession warranted. They were again doomed by one period as they gave up three goals in the middle stanza when they seemed to be in control of the puck for most of the period. Unlike Wednesday's win in Bowmanville, the powerplay didn't work, going 0-5, with the Muskies really missing the play of leading goalscorer Ryan Oliver and tricky winger Aaron Keaney, neither of whom were able to take a full part in the game. It wasn't until they were four goals behind that the Fish managed to respond but it was too little, too late.
Period 1
Neither team really deserved to be behind at the first intermission as they matched up very well for the first twenty minutes of play.Both teams were also very disciplined, with the only penalty called being for too many men on the ice. That call went against the Muskies and it hurt them. They seemed to be killing it off very effectively until a point shot from Ben Parker found the top corner at 13:39 with an Eagle forward making traffic in front of Richard Nerland. The best chance for Lindsay came six minutes in when the puck came out to Jeff Bayley wide open in front of goal but netminder Chris Azzano got just enough of his shot to redirect it wide. Although the Muskies trailed by a goal after one period, there was plenty of reason to think they could get a positive result from this game.
Period 2
Apart from a flurry of shots on an early Bowmanville powerplay, the Muskies pretty much controlled the second period - but somehow found themselves falling further and further behind. With the score 1-0, the Fish had a great chance to get the goal back when a high stick cut Corey George and they went on a four minute powerplay. But the Eagles' penaltykilling was excellent and restricted the Muskies to only one good shot. By the half way point of the period it was almost impossible to remember a Bowmanville shot, let alone a real goalscoring opportunity but all of a sudden they took control of the scoreboard. Two goals on breaks just 27 seconds apart from Josh Shalla and Dustin Ekelman gave the scoresheet a lopsided look as twice Lindsay got robbed as they tried to bring the puck out of their own end. The Eagles simply converted almost every chance they got, with Brett Mackie getting another one at 15:33. Somehow the Muskies were 4-0 down in a game that they seemed to be controlling, as they were given a lesson in finishing by their guests.
Period 3
The Fish did manage to cut the deficit in half but it wasn't enough. The first goal came from the stick of Mitch Vasey at the top of the crease as he banged the puck home at 8:28 (assists to Alex Fiset and Kyle Stojsin). It seemed to spark more life into the Muskies and they finally started to fire shots in goalie Azzano's direction, often inspired by defenceman Mike Wills firing in from the point and Trevor Mock scrapping around the crease. They came close on several occasions but had to wait until the very last minute before they beat Azzano again. Then another point shot from Wills was deflected in masterfully by Kyle Stojsin who was standing right against the post and managed to find the finest of angles to make the goal, which was timed at 19:09.
Box Score: Click here
Game Sheet: Click here
Photographs
An Eagles defenceman tries to handle Trevor Mock.
At the start of the second period, Cam Granger goes close as he gets on the end of a shorthanded attack.
Azzano hangs on as Kevin George lurks looking for any rebounds.
The Muskies created a little more turmoil in the Bowmanville ranks in the last period.
Mitch Vasey his fourth goal of the season as he ends all hope of a shutout for Bowmanville.
Defenceman Brad Langford, #24, joins the assault.
Kyle Stojsin redirects a Mike Wills shot into the far corner to make the score 2-4.
But with less than a minute left it was too late to change the outcome of the game.