Cobras Strike First

Last night hosted the first game of the opening series for the Shockers and Purple Cobras and the stage was set for a real farm burner. The teams face each other earlier in the season, where the Shockers won in a shootout 6-5, however, there wasn't a whole lot of animosity between the teams until the recent outbreak of comments coming from the Purple Cobras on the blog posted on May 22nd. This added a whole lot of fuel to the fire that was not burning too bright.

Regardless, the game had to go on and it was a close game at that. Both teams were getting their fair chances; the Cobras displayed their speed and the Shockers showed that they can shoot. Shockers weren't getting much love from the posts as they rang two hum-dingers within the opening period and a handful more as the game progressed.

In the first period, the ice would be broken at 5:02 by Cobras' own, Brandon Feiden, who got a little love from the glove on the side on the net to push it past goaltender, Giancarlo Capaz. Despite it originally being waved as no goal, the refs conferenced about it and in the end result called it a goal. Even some league officials who were watching the game from right behind the net said after the game that it was no goal but the offical call was made and the goal stood tall on the scoreboard, 1-0. The Shockers, getting a fair amount of chances throughout the period were unable to cash in on 3 powerplay opportunities, a part of the game where they have proven to be dangerous during the regualr season.

The second opened up with some good pressure by the Shockers and tied it up when Chris Diabo laced one past last year's elite MVP goaltender, Aaron Blauer, for a powerplay goal. The Purple's got back to work soon after and snaked ahead to re-obtain the lead when Kevin Libman would make the Shockers pay on the powerplay. A few minutes later the Shockers would cash in on a great opportunity as Andrew Stevens would find a lose ball that was cannoned off the back glass and sailed the ball into the open net. Blauer, who anticapted the original shot had no chance to rebound back and save the wide-open Stevens. With the game knotted at two-a-side, the Shockers started to get into penaly trouble.

The ref, reminescent of a miniture Sargeant Slaughter, started to hound the Shockers with any call he could find, however, I can admit most penalties were merrited.

The third period took in much more action, the Shockers still experiencing penalty trouble and both teams were unable to find the right beat to take the lead until Michael Zell, on the powerplay with just about 2:00 and some change, fired one past Capaz who didn't see it coming. This goal would prove to be the winer, winner, chicken dinner for the Purple Cobras.

The Cobras took game one of the series but not without a fight from the Shockers contingency as they kept it close throughout the whole game. Sunday, will host game two where the Shockers will need a sure win to keep their play off hopes alive. Donald Toohey, anxious to make his presence felt in the playoffs, will be re-joining the squad as he is coming back from a five-game suspension. However, Chris Di Sensi will be sitting out on a two game suspension received from last night's game-ending brawl.

The Rinque will be geared up for game two action on Sunday night at 8:30pm as the Shockers will try even out the series against the Purple Cobras.