Smashing
an EMHL attendance record, Team Visualeyes and Winter's Whalers put on a game
fan's should remember for the ages. Unfortunately for the red, white
and blue faithful, their boys dropped to the Whale, 5-4.
With OnCore Golf President, Bret
Blakely, and Vice President Steve Coulton on hand to drop the ceremonial puck
drop between Whalers' Captain, Bob Carroll and Visualeyes' Captain, Drew
Leberer, and Doug Allen from the Buffalo Sabres to sing the National Anthems,
the game started off in spectacular fashion.
The two teams pushed the pace early
on in the game, with back and forth play. With a 16 day lay off, their last
game on February 4th, Team Visualeyes surprisingly didn't look that rusty.
Both goaltender's Matt Baudo for Team V, and Dan Morrisson for the Whaler's
traded big saves early on. Visualeyes' cracked Morrisson's shield on the penalty kill, when Bob Simpson buried on a two on one with Duff Dunnigan. Thirteen seconds
later, and still on the penalty kill, Max Bonito put home his 12th of the year
on great passing from Garren "Ranch-Hand" Reisweber and Andrew "CPM" Valint. Using the clean ice to their advantage, Leberer broke the
puck out to Matt Mesi, watching him beat Morrison over his glove on a wrist
shot after weaving through the neutral zone. The Whale added plenty of pressure
in front of Baudo, but he stood tall in his crease until Brandon Biskup scored
the first Whale goal with two minutes remaining in the first from the top of left circle.
Up by two goals in the second
period, Visualeyes, already undermanned to the Whalers army of 4 lines and 6 D,
suffered a huge setback, losing Garren Reisweber for twelve minutes after a scuffle
with a member of the Whale. The uneven trade-off was apparent as Winter's
Whalers scored three unanswered goals in the middle frame, gaining a lead that
Visualeyes could not catch.
The Whale took a two goal lead
early on in the third period to make the score 5-3. Team V brought the score within one on
a beautiful power play goal off the stick of T.J. Cooper. Cooper's
goal avenged a brilliant diving stop by Morrisson earlier in the third that
brought the crowd to its feet. Visualeyes had one more power play opportunity courtesy of wannabe goon, Mark Braun, in the final three minutes of the game. Morrisson shut the door on Team V on the power play and
again in the final minute with the pulled goalie.
"I thought Baudo gave us a real opportunity to get the 2 points tonight. He played outstanding in the first and that allowed us to expose their weaknesses early. We were unable to continue to play that way, which obviously led to the loss. Losing a top guy in the league like Garren to a 4th liner at best killed our groove in the second. From a talent level, and stamina wise. I also thought our PP has to be much better. When given the amount of opportunities we had against a strong goaltender with that extra man, we have to convert. As GM, it is my responsibility to build a roster, and then put the best players on the ice. I may have to review my roster if this does not turn around because Leberer on the point for a crucial PP isn't good for anyone." said Leberer after the game. Three of Visualeyes' big guns, Jeremiah Crowe, Eric Schottke and Adam Bellows were all out of the lineup Wednesday night.
Donny Borsuk was quite displeased with the loss as well, and let it be known. "It is clear the Whale came with a full bench so they could sacrifice someone by sending a guy after one of our skilled guys. Taking Reisweber out of the game for 12 minutes played a big roll. If we meet in playoffs, I suggest they dress two goalies because I'll go tit for tat to get their best player off the ice. As for me, I was a non-factor. That's all I can express about my play lately, especially last night. My best play of the night was staying on the bench during our third period power plays."
Matt Baudo played one of his best games of the season, stepping up on the big stage. Afterwards,
clearly disappointed, the net-minder gave a "Ryan
Miller-esque" response. "Both teams put on a great show for the fans.
Unfortunately, with a two goal lead in the second, we still have guys jumping
into the play and pinching at horrible times. Odd man rushes have killed us all
year and cost us again last night. Some guys need to start playing with in themselves
a little more.
With three games remaining before
playoffs, Team Visualeyes record sits at 12-9-2.
Team Visualeyes would like to thank all involved in last night's game to make Fan Appreciation Night such a success. From Doug Allen, the boys at OnCore Golf, Brian Majchrzak behind Team V's bench, "DJ Amo" with the music, Kevin Gee on the P.A., and Whalers' photographer, Nick Lorich, THANK YOU! Most importantly, Visualeyes would like to thank all of the fan support at last night's game, breaking the EMHL record with almost 90 fans in the seats at Buffalo State Arena. You, the fans, are the reason why we keep playing! See you next year for the second annual, Fan Appreciation Night between Visualeyes and Winter's Whalers.
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| R. Carroll and Leberer at the Ceremonial Puck Drop with OnCore Golf |
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