100 Scoreless Minutes and Counting...
2004-02-02: Mighty Pirates 0 vs. Slowetry in Motion 8
Gentlemen,
How much longer will the agony continue? The Pirates entered the game against the Supermen (Slowetry in Motion in their blue away jerseys sport a white Superman logo - who knew when we suggested that they go blue and we go yellow?) with two full scoreless games behind them and were thirsting to break the spell. Knowing that this would not be easy against the first place Yield Signs, the Pirates battled rush hour traffic and gathered in RINX 2 at the dreaded 6:00 p.m. game time to gather their strength and their wits about them. Their determination was dampened knowing that Captain Vito Mola continued to be sidelined by his bum knee, solid defenseman Blair Dimock was nursing a pulled neck/shoulder muscle (and perhaps a bruised ego after the previous game's ejection), and Levine and Vandenberg (both stalwarts of the defensive line) were to be absent.
The lines coalesced before the game as three full forward lines and two defensive pairs eventually showed up. John Mutch centered Jonathan Gallivan and Mark Sager, Rob Kwinter had wingers Auby Mandell and Les Klein, and Jim Jezioranski (who can dress as quickly as Mike Sousa - long-time former Pirate and undressing time trial champion of the Mighty Pirates - can undress) partnered with Nick Perri and Dave Turner (who sported brand new skates for the contest). Defense was anchored by Richard Bingham, Shaun Leggett, Peter Toth and Kapil Khatter (who is currently leading contender for most improved Pirate of the 2003-2004 campaign). Matthew Lella was, as usual, in goal, though shortly after the puck was dropped, it is rumored that Matthew wondered if he was in fact the only Pirate on the ice...
SIM is a team that plays, by and large, good clean hockey and the scoring barrage began early. Just 3:10 into the first period, the division's scoring leader, #39 Rodway, scored the first of his three goals of the night. That was followed 1:13 later with the second goal, the first of two for Caranci, which in turn was followed 1:01 later by a third goal, again from #39. The barrage did not stop there, with the blue men potting two more in the second and three in the third.
Where were the Pirates all this time? Surprisingly, they were out there playing hockey, but it was without a doubt at a level or two below the SIMs. The puck never bounced twice in front of their players, and rarely did a crisp pass miss a stick, whereas the Pirates were constantly chasing lost pucks into the corner, and had numerous difficulties getting the puck out of their zone, even along the boards. It was the general consensus after the game that the forwards did a poor, indeed miserable, job of covering the defensemen at the point, who had a field day firing the puck back in at the net when it was cleared out to them along the boards. There was also lots of rushing across the blue line before the puck was cleared, leaving the defense and Matthew to fend for themselves against three, four or five attackers.
But the game was also relatively clean. There were no penalties called for the first two periods. In the third, normally calm and easy-going Jonathan Gallivan seems to have lost it. Sent to the box for holding with 5:14 remaining, the penalty led to a power play goal by SIM. Shortly afterwards, Richard Bingham was also penalized for tripping. SIM's #39 was then called with 1:04 for high-sticking, and something set Gallivan off. He was finally penalized with a double minor and a game ejection with the clock on running time and 20 seconds left. What was that about?
Most observers agreed that JG's outburst was simply a single player expressing the team's mounting frustration as the clock ran up the 100th scoreless minute in a row. This streak of goose eggs on the scoreboard is becoming symbolic of the Pirates's season, as they seem unable to mount any kind of significant offense on a consistent basis, and climb out of the basement as a result. ONE HUNDRED MINUTES and FOUR SECONDS without a goal seems like good justification for a soul-cleansing rant.
Of course, the best therapy for this frustration would be for every Pirate to show up at the Wednesday Night Pirate Skate™ and skate, pass and score to their hearts' content, but unfortunately, only seven current Pirates (and Summer Pirate goalie Tim Sturgeon) showed up at the arena last Wednesday. It was a great skate, and a demonstration of what Pirates can do when they play with fun and energy, and stop trying to play cute hockey.
But the season continues, and the Pirates have another opportunity to salvage a W against the Venom on Monday, 9 February at 11:00 p.m. at RINX 2. We suggest that we put the 100 MINUTES out of our minds and go out there to have some fun. Play like it's Wednesday night, skate hard, pass, shoot and don't worry so much... it's just a game.
Speaking of games, TNHC has informed us that the make-up game against the Venom which was cancelled on 12 January due to the broken penalty box door will be played on Tuesday night, 9 March at 8:15 p.m. on RINX 1. Please mark it in your calendars and make every effort to be there.
In the meantime,
GO PIRATES!!! VIVA LOS PIRATAS!!!
Howie
