Visualeyes cannot seem to solve the Pappas Puzzle. Dropping their third straight game, Visualeyes found themselves dejected and out of a team set of tickets to a Sabres game.
The young guns of Pappas Indians defeated Visualeyes 5-4 in an overtime shootout, netting 2 of 3 chances in the shootout, Wednesday night at Buffalo State Arena. It was the second straight loss to Pappas for Visualeyes, sliding to 4-1-2.
After controlling play in the second period to take a 4-3 lead into the third period, the "V" ran out of gas again, blowing their third period margin for the second straight game against the Indians. Undisciplined penalties in the offensive zone by Eric Schottke (Tonawanda) and Andrew Valint (Tonawanda) stunted the charge of Visualeyes' attack in the final frame.
Dan Brown (Lancaster) lead the way for Visualeyes, recording his first career EMHL hat-trick, but could not find the back of the twine in the shootout, leading to the demise of the "V". "Yeah, it was a tough one to take, ]undisciplined penalties in the thrid wore us down. #7 Schottke needs to seriously consider his commitment to the team, to put on 10 pounds in between games is simply stunning" said Brown.
A man of many words, Matt Mesi (Orchard Park) seemed to sum up the defeat, "We lost. Hard play not we. Outhustled they us. Poop."
Eric Schottke was held off the scoresheet, except in the penalty column, for the first game this year. "The time off really took its toll on me. My Halloween endeavours really enabled me to lose my focus and it showed in my play. It's going to be tough with Thanksgiving coming up to regain my focus and come back to my scoring promenince, but hey, no one said it would be easy, this is the EMHL."
Despite the outcome of the game, forward Bob Simpson-Corigliano (Tonawanda) had some promising outlook after the loss, "There are a lot of positives that came out of last nights game. Roma is playing like its March, Brown (Dan) found his scoring touch, and out D did not play horrible. But we now know where we need to be. Pappas has set the bar and there is no doubt that we will pass that bar."
Rookie blue-liner Jerry Crowe (Kenmore) is upset about team chemistry and the play of his fellow teammates. "Everyone in the room needs to look their teammates in the eyes, and tell them one thing they're going to bring to the table. And if they don't do it, you punch them in the face!"
The puzzle of Pappas can be solved, and must be solved, but for now, the boys of Visualeyes are left looking for answers. Forward T.J. Cooper (Hamburg) even apologized to the team after the game, "I need to step it up, I haven't been playing so hot, Sorry."
"Look for some personnel changes next game" (versus Elmwood Cozumel, Wednesday November 10th at 10:50pm) said Player/Coach/GM/Equipment Manager) Drew Leberer.
Notebook:
-Center-man Don Borsuk (West Seneca) left the ice early on in the first period after taking a high stick to the chin. A furious Borsuk left the ice surface bleeding profusely and did not return. No penalty was called and Borsuk made sure to let the referee know how he felt.
-James (Duffy) Dunnigan (Getzville), has started working out at the Fitness Factory and will be getting jacked. "It's gut check time."
