Monday March 28

Hungry Hippos squeak out 2 wins to get in win column

The Hungry Hippos started Monday night on a great note. Within the short span of only 30 seconds, M.Martino and A.Pederian each scored and the Hungry Hippos got the start they wanted. Both players continued their rhythm in the second period adding another tally that helped solidify their first win of the season. The second encounter was a little closer, but still the Hungry Hippos came out on top. A.Daghlian and M.Martino buried their chances to mount a 2-0 lead with six minutes left in the game. The Diabetoz Angels did respond shortly when P.Rizkalla finally beat S.Sauk. In the attempt to even the score after pulling out their net minder, A.Pederian of the Hungry Hippos sealed the contest by feeding an empty cage. The two clubs entered the night winless which inspired everyone to put out their best game so far to avoid being winless. And rather than splitting the night, the Hungry Hippos won both battles.

(1)Diabetoz Angels vs Hungry Hippos(4)

(3)Hungry Hippos vs Diabetoz Angels(1)

A.Kobayati causing fits for the Country Club

The Altius showed Monday night that they are a team to watch for. They put together two fairly convincing wins without perhaps and arguably, two of their better players absent-from their line up. The Country Club are far-from being a pushover, but tonight they seemed a step behind a superior opponent. The Altius relied on the strength of A.Kobayati to lead the way as he potted a hat trick in the first game while adding two more goals and as assist in the ensuing match. Everyone bought into playing hard for one another while identifying a very familiar threat-from the Country Club. There was only so much C.Gingras could have done with his club playing on its heels rather than controlling the play. He did still manage a couple of points which is a very low bar for his standards. Overall, just a solid two games for a team that will challenge anyone on any given night.

(5)Altius vs Country Club(2)

(1)Country Club vs Altius(4)

Bonjours High build off late winner by C.Kakivelis

The Snipers know it could have easily gone either way. In what looked like was headed for a shootout changed when C.Kakivelis snapped a late 1-1 tie. H.Awada tied the game on the power play for the Snipers which left half a period in the low scoring affair. Maybe they needed to keep pressing-from that point on instead of sitting back or perhaps being a little passive. Regardless, they put up a strong fight and hoped to carry some of it into the second match. Unfortunately, things didn’t go according to plan, at least by the second period where the Bonjours High cracked open the dam. The game was within reach for the Snipers trailing only 2-1 heading into the final stretch. Then, the wheels came off and the Bonjour High took over like a massive wave. They scored five straight goals in only eight minutes that saw M.Levasseur-Caron and C.Kakivelis collect a pair. Its never an easy challenge going up against the Bonjours High. Despite dropping both games, the Snipers only had one bad period out of the four where they were completely outclassed.

(2)Bonjours High vs Snipers(1)

(2)Snipers vs Bonjours High(7)

The SalumiVino player of the night goes to Anthony Kobayati of the Altius. Just a remarkable performance by a player that knows how to protect the ball while creating plenty of chances for himself, and more importantly for his teammates. The solid forward struck five times while adding a helper in both wins.

Tuesday March 29

 M.Mavroudis madness prohibits the Lyft Off to even their series with Assadi Classics

The Lyft Off had to figure out on how to iron out some issues after a disastrous second period versus the Assadi Classics. Its never fun giving up six goals in a single frame, especially after a solid first period where both sides traded two goals apiece. The Assadi Classics benefited on two power play goals to take a commanding 5-2 lead. J.Rochon converted three times for a hat trick, M.Mavroudis struck twice and M.Destounis was responsible for setting up five markers. The Lyft Off showed some good early signs in their second match riding a strong first period for a 4-2lead. The problem was that they just couldn't seem to figure out one key variable by the name of M.Mavroudis. All six goals-from the Assadi Classics came off of Mavroudis's blade. Unable to stop the madness, the Lyft Off had to settle for a draw even though they may have felt they deserved better. N.Sayed had an immediate impact collecting four points for the Lyft Off, who had to settle for a draw in what was a wild second game.

(8)Assadi Classics vs Lyft Off(3)

 (6)Lyft Off vs Assadi Classics(6) S.O

 United Arms undone by J.Mandracchia

 Sometimes J.Mandracchia plays like he is-from another planet. After setting up two goals while chipping in the winner in a shootout, the talented forward was just getting warmed up for the main course. The Dragons had a much easier time getting less resistance in general. The United Arms didn't compete like they did in the earlier contest, letting one player do pretty much what he wanted by running up the score. J.Mandracchia was simply that good, scoring five of the Dragons six goals en route to an easier result. Definitely a top guy that got plenty done for his club. That's what happens when things go well, your team plays for one another, and your best players rise to the occasion. Tonight, like he has done many times in the past, J.Mandracchia was the major reason why the Dragons collected two wins.

(5)Dragons vs United Arms(4) S.O

 (2)United Arms vs Dragons(6)

 D.Gkeivelopoulos rescues Bonjours High to take both games versus the Degenerates

 After having a breakout second period in the earlier match, the Bonjours High took the opener versus the Degenerates. Goals came by A.Tanferna’s second of the game followed with D.Gkeivelopoulos and J.Armatatidis scoring within a couple of minutes apart. The Degenerates felt good about their game despite dropping it. With that, they carried a positive mind set in their second encounter which had them tighten the bolts a little more. They did give up an early goal, but that didn’t phase them as they responded with the next two for the slight lead. The Bonjours High were now stuck with time being their worst enemy. Not even a late power play opportunity enabled them to even the score, instead, the captain needed to come through and rescue his club. D.Gkeivelopulos couldn’t have released a better shot that somehow found its way through F.Koch. That goal came with less than 30 seconds remaining which gave the opportunity for the Bonjours High to win it in a shootout. A.Tanferna’s lone marker stood up while A.Kakivelis used a pair of poke checks to disrupt the Degenerates shooters.

 (5)Bonjours High vs Degenerates(2)

 (2)Degenerates vs Bonjour High(3) S.O

 The SalumiVino player of the night goes to Manny Mavroudis of the Assadi Classics. Give him the ball and he will score. After collecting a bunch of points in the first game vs the Lyft Off, Mavroudis was off the charts in the second game scoring all six goals for the Assadi Classics that resulted in a tie