Visualeyes unveiled their much anticipated red jerseys Wednesday with only 9 players donning the new threads. Team V looked solid in warm-ups with the fresh look, but knew they were in for a long night as they looked down the ice at a bench of 3 full lines and 5 defencemen including Welland Jr. Canadian standout David Burkholder who was flown in just for this match-up.The Indians got on the board first when sniper Chris Moran wired a wrist that deflected off of Team V d-man Adam Bellows and ricocheted off of goalie Robert Tates' stick into the corner of the rink. Luckily, Visualeyes answered the Indians "goal" immediately as Matt Mesi chipped in his 15th goal of the season with line mates Garren Reisweber and T.J. Cooper earning the helpers. Team V rookie, Joseph Mariano gave the boys in red their first lead of the game a shift later off a pass from Reisweber. The Indians would come back to tie the game at two, but 21 seconds later, Duffy Dunnigan would regain the lead for Visualeyes as he pick pocketed an Indian defenceman and beat goaltender Kyle Gunn-Taylor.
The two teams skated to an even second period, each side netting two goals. Visualeyes had help from Don Borsuk and T.J. Cooper.
With the score 5-4 heading into the final frame, Team V knew they had a difficult task ahead as fatigue began to set in. The Indians were able to tie the game at 5 three minutes into the third period after a costly Team V turnover at its own blue line. Following the ensuing face-off, Visualeyes quickly regained the lead when Cooper buried his second goal of the night and 15th of the season. Garren Reisweber had the lone assist on Cooper's goal, good enough for his fourth assist of the game. Visualeyes controlled the remaining 12 minutes of the game, displaying their defensive zone strength.
Reisweber put the game out of reach, scoring an empty net goal on his third attempt, giving Visualeyes the 7-5 victory and 13th win on the season.
"This was a gutsy win. A great effort by the boys. We knew we were going to have to dig in in the third with our bench being as short as it was and the boys responded real well. Coop's goal to take the lead back after they tied it up early in the third was huge. I'm real proud of the way we grinded that one out and hopefully we can bring the same effort to sweep the season series over the Whalers on Monday." said TeamV Captain/GM/equipment manager/denfenceman Drew Leberer after the game.
Besides the 16-6 drubbing Team V game The Indians early this fall, the two teams have battled in even games. Visualeyes dropping the second meeting of the year 4-3 and taking this game 7-5. Visualeyes will round out their regular season on March 4th against the Indians for their fourth and final meeting.
Visualeyes will look to spoil the Whalers chances at earning first place in the EMHL Monday evening at 9:20 at Buffalo State Arena. GREAT SEATS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!
NEWS AND NOTES:
-Check back to our site soon as Director of Pro Scouting, David Leggio, will begin his first of four part
Q & A sessions with Visualeyes winger, Garren Reisweber.
-Team V would like to thank Visualeyes and their newest sponsor Reeds Jenss for their generous support in the addition of the new jerseys. THANK YOU!
-Follow Team Visualeyes on Twitter ( @TeamVisualeyes ) for all of the latest Team V news including in game updates, injury reports and EMHL news.
