Shockers Outbattle the Warriors

Highlights of Shockers vs. Warriors

Making it back to the 500 club seemed like a dream that had been slipping away for the Shockers when they stared themselves in the mirror after suffering 4 straight losses back in October. November, however, has been an interesting turn of events for the team who has been able to turn the tables and pick up a handful of victories.

Last night at le Rinque hosted Shockers against the Warriors. The Warriors, who have yet to win a game this season, has started to look like a bigger team when three Poncelet brothers click together. Shockers knew they had to come into this game with a clear mind and not take the team lightly.

Shockers would be without Nick Sullo in the line-up so Guillaume Coté was called upon to suit up in his place and Shockers also brought in Richard "Magic Man" Dinelle to help out.

First Period started off rocky for the Shockers as they feel behind quickly 2-0 against the speedy Warriors until the Shockers finally woke up and struck back when Andrew Stevens blasted home a slapshot from center ice. Soon after, Kosta Kastrounis knocked in his fourth of the season off a Dwayne Pilon rebound. A little bit later in the frame, Alain Godard snuck in a shot from the above the faceoff circle that beat the goaltender farside to give the Shockers a 3-2 edge. But the Warriors would strike back on the powerplay beating Giancarlo down and out after a series of tiny rebounds. Just as the period looked like it was about to be over, Shockers struck back with two quick goals, both by Alain Godard, including a setup by Andrew Stevens to beat the buzzer.

Going into the second point down 5-3, Warriors needed to get something going and they did when Martin Poncelet let a taint slapper go from the left side that beat Capaz five-hole making it a 5-4 game. However, that celebration would be short-lived when Stevens sent a long bomb down into Warriors territory that would be tipped down by a defender and in turn sprung loose Godard, who then demonstrated a great deal of patience before shelfing it on the opposing goaltender. Ben Ducharme would drive the dagger deeper when he netted a shot from within the slot off a Dinelle pass. Warriors retaliated with a fancy passing play of their own but within just minutes, fan-favorite, Marc "The Claw" Boucher would rip one from his own end (no pun intended) beating the Warriors pipe-warmer to give him his second goal of the season. That appeared to be the end of the game right there but Martin Poncelet would have the final word, scoring within the last ten seconds of the game as he benefitted off a deflection off Dwayne Pilon's stick, rainbowing over Capaz and in the net. Shockers would walk away with this one, 8-6.

Alain Godard had nothing but good things to say about his team when asked about the game: "We battled hard and won the game by putting the ball in the net. The boys played great!"

When Godard was asked about his 4-four performance, he simply added: "I was where I was needed. It was one of those good days where everything was going well."

Shockers can celebrate during their week off but will resume action on Monday, November 17th when they take on the Decepticons. Shockers have experienced success against them, beating them in both meetings in shoot-outs. Despite the victories, Shockers are expecting to take the 'W' in regulation time next game, Andrew Stevens commented on the matter: "Enough of the shoot-outs, it is too nerve-racking! We know what we have to do, play the man, make sure we have fresh legs out there and put the ball in the net anyway we can...doesn't have to be fancy all the time."

Can Shockers make it 4 in-a-row? Find out Monday, November 17th @ 8:30pm!