Visualeyes Clinches First Round Bye with Final Win

Heading into the final EMHL Regular Season game Monday night, Team Visualeyes led the Pappas Indians by two points in the standings. A win or a tie in regulation against that same team would lock up Team V's playoff spot as the #2 seed and give them a bye in the first round of the EMHL playoffs.

Visualeyes beat the Indians, 6-5, their first victory over Pappas this year, grabbing the #2 spot, allowing them to rest some of their regular season bumps and bruises before the second round.  The win wasn't an easy one, as Team V's players laid it all out, entering into the post-season on a high note.

Pappas took an early lead just one minute into the game, but newly acquired forward, Garren Reisweber answered back to notch the score at one, on a pass from Ryan Donnelly. Reisweber, scored the game winning goal in the National Championship game in 2007 for SUNY Oswego, instantly becoming a legend in Upstate New York. Reisweber has contributed to Team V nicely in the wake of multiple injuries after the All-Star Break. Garren's presence has not only been felt on the score-sheet (averaging 2.4 points per game) but as a team player as well. Several games ago, Reisweber sent a message to the Peace Frogs with a slap shot to their goalie's head with seconds remaining. His tough play Monday night, helped him earn 7 stitches and 3 new teeth, showing his teammates again he's for real, and here to stay.

Reisweber's GWG in 2007 Division III National Championship

Visualeyes finished the first period strong, leading 4-2. Bob Simpson-Corigliano scored Team V's third goal of the game on a feed from Eric Schottke, just 25 seconds after Pappas tied the score at two. Dan Brown added his team leading 27th goal of the season with 1:24 remaining in the first.

The second period didn't see many goals, however Pappas' scummy play shined through with 4 penalties, including the high stick to Reisweber. Team V answered back the best way any team could with a goal on the ensuing Power Play, taking a 5-2 lead into the third.

Don Borsuk said after the game; "Holy Cow, what an effort. We really earned that victory. The league needs to start looking at the number of players who have left the ice bloodied by Pappas' bird-caged players. They have no respect for how our game is played." Borsuk was also cut earlier in the year from a wild stick by another caged bandit on Pappas.

Team V gave up three goals in the third and looked to be on the ropes until Max Bonito buried the game winning goal with his 12th tally of the season from D-man, Jerry Crowe. Bonito added, "I just try to play well every night and play hard, getting to the net, and getting pucks to the net. We played a great physical game and came out on top."

Bonitio's Post-game conference

Goaltender Adam Roma, who has played exceptionally well all season long, saved the game and locked up the second round playoff birth with three minutes remaining on an incredible back-door paddle save. Roma earned his 18th win of the season

"Our top guys came out to play. When you got your former college hockey players coming out with the effort we saw on Monday, we are going to be a tough team to beat in the playoffs. I am just glad I can act as a secondary player to those guys and maybe show some leadership heading into the real season. Look out for us!" said Simpson-Corigliano.

Player/Coach/GM/Equipment Manager Drew Leberer was on a scouting assignment in Toronto, missing out on the final game of the regular season, but he did have this to say via conference call; "I'm real proud of the boys earning those tough two points. We've had bad luck all year against those punks from Pappas. Watching the simulcast online was one of the toughest things I have ever had to do. There's nothing more that I wanted to do than lace 'em up with the guys Monday. With that said though I don't give a rat's *** what we've done over the past six months. To be honest, whoever we beat, whoever beat us, is in the past, its over and done with and doesn't matter any more. The real season starts next week. Our record is now 0-0. The only thing on my mind for the next few weeks is winning four games. Four wins and the EMHL title will be back where it belongs."

NEWS AND NOTES:
-With the victory Monday, Visualeyes will play the winner of Pappas Indians-Third Street Tap Room in a best of three series. EMHL Semi-finals schedule is as follows:

                             GAME 1:  Wed, March 30th at 9:20pm
                             GAME 2:  Sunday, April 3rd at 9:20pm
                             GAME 3:  Friday, April 8th at 10:20pm (if needed)

                                 (All games are played at Buffalo State Arena)

Plenty of great seats are still available!

COMPLETE EMHL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

-Eric Schottke led Team V in scoring and assists for the 2010-2011 regular season with 51 points (25G, 26A). Dan Brown led the team with 27 goals. Donny "Bones" Borsuk, led the PIM category with 34. Jerry Crowe led Team V's defensive core with 38 points (15G, 23A).

Eric Schottke- 25 Goals, 26 Assists