There just didn’t seem to be enough in the tank for Visualeyes Wednesday night, and for the second straight game, the “V” failed to hold on to the lead, falling to Pappas Indians 6-3 on the road. The “V” lost its second in a row in front of a crowd of five, many of whom made the trip to support the red, white and blue.
Pappas Indians opened up the scoring six minutes into the first period when Paul Campbell walked Duffy Dunnigan (Getzville) like a dog in Delaware Park, slipping the biscuit through Dunnigan’s legs and then sliding the puck past goaltender Adam Roma (Lancaster). The first period ended with Pappas up a goal but with Visualeyes controlling most of the play, just not finishing on their opportunities.
Visualeyes tied the game up halfway through the second period when forward Bob Simpson-Corigliano (Tonawanda) finally took his player/coach/GM/equipment manager, Drew Leberer’s (North Tonawanda) advice, and fired a quick wrister at the net. The shot caught the Indian’s net minder off guard and beat him just inside the far post. “Hey, I always tell the boys, “JUST SHOOT THE PUCK!” I’m sick of this nancy-fancy brand of hockey that has been played the last few games. Get the puck to the net and good things will happen. But no, it looks like we’ve got a bunch of ballerinas out there who like to dipsy do rather than take the puck to the greasy areas” said Leberer.
The "V"’s domination of the second period continued when team leading point getter, Eric Schottke (Tonawanda) netted his seventh goal of the year. Dan Brown (Lancaster) found Schottke alone above the left circle and watched his line-mate, walk in and light the lamp.
Leading 2-1 after two periods, the fatigue of a much older Team Visualeyes showed as the Indians answered quick, netting three goals in the first six minutes of the period. Down by two goals and shorthanded with three minutes to go, the “V” looked down and out until rookie d-man Duffy Dunnigan found T.J. Cooper (Hamburg) back door on an incredible pass and Cooper buried. Visualeyes killed off the remainder of Andrew Valint’s (Tonawanda) penalty and pulled the goalie with one minute to go. After a crafty play drawn up by Simpson-Corigliano, Visualeyes missed yet another opportunity to bury by a few inches, and Pappas skated up ice and scored an empty netter from the red-line.
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| Roma looks for help |
The third period however, proved to be the difference, with the Indians exploding for five goals, one being an empty netter, and the 6th and final blow with only three seconds remaining. Team Visualeyes is looking for answers both offensively and defensively. The chances were there on offense, just not taken advantage of, and the reliability on the blue-line needs to be more consistent in front of standout goalie, Adam Roma, especially now that he has a team jersey.
Forward Bob Simpson added his third goal of the year Wednesday night and was extremely disappointed after the effort. “Our defense ultimately just didn’t have enough in the tank to stop their speedy forwards. I hate to call people out, but we are all professionals. Some people on this team need to look themselves in the mirror and realize they have to step up their game. Our team has an ultimate goal and I am not letting one or two players stand in our way. I don’t know what to say but I am really frustrated. Donnelly needs to play better.”
Max Bonito’s off-ice regimen continues to shine while his play with and without the puck is noticeably better than last year’s. Keeping his head up he told the media, “We played soft last night and didn’t bury our chances. We need to come out flying this week in practice and things will start going our way.”
NOTEBOOK:
-Not only were the Indians visibly younger and quicker, but came prepared with 10 forwards and 6 D, while Visualeyes only had two lines. Eric Schottke unofficially leads the league in scoring with 17 points in six games and was concerned with his team’s depth. “It’s always tough playing shorthanded; you miss guys like Stevie, and Borsey and it’s hard to make up for that goal scoring. We just have to grind it out until they come back and save us.”
-Completing their last game of the EMHL in-season tournament, Visualeyes won 22 of the possible 30 points and will wait to see who they will face in the tournament championship for the team Sabres tickets. “After two hard fought losses, we are still going to be playing for those tickets. It is a one game, winner takes all kind of game, I think we’ll do well with a little time off to regroup and regain our focus. Those boys last night threw their very best at us, but they haven’t seen our team at top speed” said blue liner, Ryan Donnelly (Tonawanda).
-Prospect Watch:
Forward Scott Moser tallied his first goal of the year for Canisius College Tuesday night in a 5-2 victory over Mercyhurst. Moser and the Golden Griffins are 2-1 early in the season and head to Sacred Heart this weekend.
