TEAM V TAKES GAME 1

Jeremiah Crowe Earns "The Playmaker" &  Leads Visualeyes to the Win

Visualeyes and Pappas Indians skated to a 0-0 tie after a face paced, uptempo opening period in Game 1 of the EMHL Quarterfinal series. Team V was able to crack the code of Indians' netminder, Kyle Gunn-Taylor, three minutes into the second period when d-man Jeremiah Crowe found Eric Schottke for a back door tip in. Gunn-Taylor had stumped Visualeyes in the regular season finale, 4-0 prior to Game 1.

The Indians were quick to respond, as James "Junk Yard Dog" Durham fed Chris Moran to tie the game at one. Visualeyes took to the power play and after his team killed off his penalty, Garren Reisweber said thanks by burying home the rebound of a point shot from Crowe. This goal gave Team V the boost it needed, and Matt Mesi harnessed that momentum, ripping a wrist shot top shelf off of the ensuing face-off. The goal however was waved off due to Rule 617, Section C, part 4; stating "A goal shall not be allowed if the following occurs: the puck entered the goal while an attacking player was positioned in the crease". Reisweber and Team V believed this rule was abolished in 1999, but were apparently mistaken. Team V did not let this setback hold them down though as Andrew Valint found the back of the net from the top of crease right after the disallowed goal. Rearguard Drew Leberer, gathered his own rebound from a blistering shot off the rush, found Max Bonito in his office behind the Indians net, and let Bonito do the rest. "Flash" threaded the needle right to Valint's tape in the top of the crease and Valint made no mistake putting it through the five hole.

Visualeyes maintained offensive zone pressure on the Indians for the remainder of the second frame and continued to control play in the third. Don Borsuk put the nail in the coffin of Game 1, scoring Team V's fourth of the night, with 8 minutes to go. Assisting on the goal, were Eric Schottke and also Jeremiah Crowe again, his third of the night. Crowe had struggled all regular season finding his offensive touch, which he has been known for, only tallying 1G and 3A on the year. He (Crowe) made no mistake in Game 1, making the most of the games that matter the most, leading Team V from the back end.

Visualeyes' goalie Robert Tates played his best game of the season on Monday evening, backstopping the victory with 34 saves.

NEWS AND NOTES:

-Bob Simpson is day to day with the flu, he hopes to return to the lineup for Game 2.

-Game 2 is set for Monday, March 17th at 7:50 PM at the Buffalo State Arena. GREAT SEATS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!