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After extensive contract negotiations, the Mighty Pirates organization is extremely pleased to welcome back Howie for another season of insightful, amusing, and extremely addictive commentary! Yes, Howie tells it like it is!

You'll find links to each and every Howie Report right here after each game.

The Howie-Les Report
2008-09-29: Mighty Pirates 5 at Grim Reapers 2

After two wins to start the 2008/09 campaign, critics have been wondering if this Mighty Pirates (3-0-0) team is for real. As of Monday the 29th of September, it certainly seems they are!

Of course, an annual blast of Shofar Fever had the Pirates' roster extremely depleted, as Besant, Klein, Kwinter, Mandell, Phillips, and Sager were all out of action. In addition, possible 'keepers Lella and Sturgeon were afflicted with the Travel Bug. When Sousa having to bow out due to family matters, and Bingham a no-show, the Captain wasn't left with very many options at game time.

The Pirates called on agents at GoaliesToGo.com, and they brokered a deal for Mike Rusher, who became the third Mighty Pirates goalie to start a game this season. He would not disappoint, and was a great guy off the ice as well!

The first forward line, featuring Leggett on left, Mola on right and Mutch at center, was dubbed "The Veteran Line" by the Captain himself. Leggett scoffed at the idea that anyone would consider them the "old guys", and he proved his point by playing just as he did in his rookie season — you know, 12 seasons ago.

Line two had Gallivan centering Turner on left and rookie prospect Zsirai on right, seeing his first action of the season. On defense, it was a rotating, three-man unit in Jezioranski, Mintz and Tassone. That was it baby! Drop the puck!

Off the opening faceoff, you knew this game was going to be a dandy — Bam! What a pace!

Both teams tried to gather momentum in the early moments, and the Grim Reapers (1-1-1) nearly struck first. But, an athletic pad save from Rusher kept the game scoreless in the opening minutes. Both Pirate forward lines didn't need anytime to gel, and you knew it would just be a matter of time before one of them would strike.

With 5:26 left in the first period, Gallivan won a faceoff to a perfectly positioned Zsirai, who scored his first career goal with a great snapshot. Exactly one minute later, Jezioranski muscled the puck over to Leggett, who spotted Mutch in an open area of the slot. As Leggett said after the game, "Mutch just slammed it home!"

The play continued on even pace however, and the quick glove hand of Rusher kept the Reapers from cutting the lead in half as the period wore down.

The Pirates did start to take control when Mutch gathered up a loose puck just inside the Reaper zone, and fired home a slapshot for a 3-0 lead — what a goal! Three minutes later, Gallivan worked the puck along the side boards, and sent it back to Mintz on the point. Mintz's shot was tipped with extreme precision by Leggett in front, and the Pirates appeared to be running away with it.

In a post-game interview, the Captain admitted he may have started to ease off at that point. Perhaps the whole team did, and the Grim Reapers got on the scoresheet with a fortunate bounch from the faceoff. With just over a minute remaining in the second, they would cut the lead in half on a nice goal ... this game wasn't over yet.

However, an amazing shift from Gallivan, Mintz, Jezioransk, Turner, and Zsirai had the Grim Reapers hemmed in their own zone. Cycling and circling, they had the puck moving around the zone so fast that no one knew where the puck was. Finally, Zsirai, waiting for just the right moment, hit Gallivan in the slot with a pass, and he sent in a rocket of a one-timer for a 5-2 lead. And, that's the way it would end.

Another solid opponent, who will certainly be ready for the Pirates the next time they meet. This really does look like it will be an amazing season.

Will the Pirates be able to keep it rolling next week against the unknown Daley Byers (1-1-0)? Come down to Rinx 2 next Monday at 7:10pm and find out! GO PIRATES!!! VIVA LOS PIRATAS!!!