Team V looked sluggish after the long holiday break as it
took the first period for the reigning champs to awaken from their winter
slumber. Visualeyes exploded in the second period though for 8 goals and went
on to beat the Blue-Jackets 10-4.
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| LEBERER-KASPERCZYK NETS 3 |
After a slow start in the first, Team V Captain, Drew
Leberer-Kasperczyk opened up the scoring in the second period with a blast from
the point after an impressive fore-check from the forwards. “Our forwards are
so well respected in this league, it gives us D-men a lot of time and chances
at the point to look for open shooting lanes.” said Leberer after the win. And
the lanes opened, especially for Leberer-Kasperczyk, who netted his first
career hat-trick in the victory. His second of the night will go down in the
EMHL record books as one of the hardest shots ever taken in league history.
Duffy Dunnigan and Mike Denz were on a 2 on 1 with Leberer trailing in the
neutral zone. Instead of shooting or passing to Denz, Dunnigan left a beautiful
backhand saucer pass in the slot for Leberer-Kasperczyk. The captain made the
most of the opportunity and ripped a slap shot leaving just a vapor trail behind it, beating the
Blue-Jackets goalie in the upper right hand corner of the cage.
Leberer-Kasperczyk finished off his hat trick with just 4 seconds left in the
second after Don Borsuk un-selfishly found Leberer-Kasperczyk open at the top
of the crease. Leberer-Kasperczyk roofed the puck, knocking the water bottle
off the top shelf to complete the feat. After the game, Leberer-Kasperczyk was giddy with his accomplishment"It feels great to finally get three in one game. I've been playing for a long time now and have been always wondering if it would ever happen. When you're surrounded by great players it makes it that much easier though to do this."
While frustrated with his production, Donny Borsuk has been
working hard to improve and has always been there for his teammates. “It’s
tough not seeing your name on the score sheet in such a lopsided win. My goals
will come though. Thoughts of retirement have crossed though my mind with my
lack of production, but I am confident my fortune will turn soon as we hit the
meat of our schedule. I have been working with our best shooter Drew Leberer after
each practice to improve my shot power and accuracy.” said Borsuk.
Not all of the scoring came from Leberer though, as leading
scorer Eric Schottke scored twice, Jeremiah Vivian, Duffy Dunnigan, Max Bonito,
Bob Simpson-Corigliano and Andrew Valint all found the back of the twine in
Visualeyes sixth straight win. The dangerous duo of Eric Schottke and Duffy
Dunnigan are respectively first and second in Team V scoring. Schottke leads
the team with 38 points (17G, 21A) and Dunnigan is close behind with 35 points
(16G 19A). The “Tioga Terror”, the roommates nicknamed themselves, hooked up for
a pretty goal halfway through the second frame. “You can tell those guys are in
sync. You can tell they eat together, sleep under the same roof, train together
in the attic, just are a great pair.” said Andrew Valint.
Matt Baudo stepped in for the injured Adam Roma and kept
court in-between the pipes for Visualeyes. Baudo looked sharp in net and kept
Visualeyes in the game making several great saves, allowing only one goal while
the pressure was on in the first period.
The win increases Visualeyes’ lead over second place Cozumel
by four points.
NEWS AND NOTES:
-D-men Matt English-Gunning was a healthy scratch Wednesday
night against the Blue-Jackets after troubled play hampered his performance
against Chef’s last game. Derrick Stanek was recalled for his 3rd
game of the season in place of English-Gunning. Stanek was held off the score sheet but finished with a
plus 4 rating.
-Visualeyes will play next on January 5th, 2012 at 10:50pm vs. Our Bar.
