Le Rinque was once again living and breathing hockey as the second week of the NABHL season got under way. The Shockers looked to bounce back after a 5-1 loss to the Expos last week and set their sights on the Ligers. Ligers, who won their season opener against the Grinders 6-1, knew they had to step up their game against the newbie squad of hungry hockey sex-symbols. In the end, the Ligers would prove to be the victors and hand the Shockers their second straight loss of the season, coming in way of a shootout.The Shockers showed a different side to how they can play last night. The defense played very well man-to-man and they made quick progress to correct what went wrong in the game against the Expos. The offense actually showed up as well, lighting the lamp four times throughout the game. The team in general had also started to make better passes and the chemistry is begining to flow as we have seen some nice passing plays begin to pan out.
The first period was a neck-and-neck battle where neither team seemed to be able to find the back of the net. Defense on both teams played extremely well and notably, the goalies, equally, made some big saves, especially orange-ball-man-handler, Giancarlo Capaz for the Shockers. The 0-0 deadlock would be broken with 1:27 left in the period when the Ligers would finally be able to beat Capaz with a swift swing of the stick by the opposing force.
The second period would start off shaky for the Shockers where a late line change that was not seen by the referee led to a second goal for the Ligers right off the face-off. It would not be more than three minutes later that the Shockers offense would come alive netting back to back goals, one from Ben Ducharme and one from Kosta Kastrounis respectively. The Ligers would answer back before the period's close, giving them a 3-2 lead going into the third.
The third started off quickly, when Shocker's big baller/shot caller, Steven Diabo himself would find net sneaking out from in back of the net to tie it up 3-3. Once again, the Ligers would answer back in a hurry to give themselves a 4-3 lead. No more than two minutes later, Ben Ducharme would net his second of the game to tie it up once again.
The third period would expire leaving both teams to select shooters for the shootout. In the end, after five shooters trying their hand at scoring the difference-maker, it would be the Ligers would would find the back of the net to take home the victory.
"Our guys played well, it was a huge improvement from game one, we should be proud of ourselves tonight!" exclaimed assistant captain, Andrew Stevens.
"Right on! We're happy with how the game went. Of course we would prefer to have the 'W' but a point is a point and that's what's going on right there, off the roof, P in the V," added captain, Alain Godard.
The game honors would have to go to Ben Ducharme who posted up two big goals and gave a valiant effort to keep his team afloat throughout the game. Ducharme who is know for his bright blue leg pads and his boyish good-looks is a heartthrob to all fans of the Shockers especially the two guys in the background of this picture cheering of the fan-favorite.
Other notables, Steven Diabo who had a three point night (1G, 2A), Jonathan Sante who displayed an unrelentless attack and almost had a game winning goal in shootouts by nearly putting himself and the ball in the net (see picture), Andrew Johnson for his helpers on two goals and last but not least, Greg Emmanuel for showing up.Next game is Wednesday, July 6th @ 8:30pm vs. the Green Giants.
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