THE

UPPER VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE

Whalers
Nordiques
1st
2
4
2rd
1
2
3rd
0
4
FINAL
3
10
Shots
28
50
October 13th, 2009 - 9:20PM
Union Arena - Woodstock, VT
Pre-Game
Recap
Box Score
Discussion
Game ID: 585

NORDIQUES START HOT AGAINST THE NEW WHALERS

ALERT! IMPORTANT BULLETIN! GREG MARSH IS LEADING THE UVHL IN POINTS! After a woeful campaign in Season 6 for the Nords (everyone's favorite "Butcher of Guelph") Marshy has started Season 7 with a flurry and a career night with 6 points! His off ice training and "evening meditation" seems to have paid off...or it just could have been his incredibly talented and fast linemates Jordan McGee and UVHL rookie Alex Brands. Whatever the case, Marshy played one of his best, maybe even THE best UVHL game of his career, and it wasn't the points that were the most impressive, it was a total game at both ends that made a huge difference in the Nords play to start the season off in the right direction.

The Whalers and Nords faced off with new players on both squads, but the Whalers have re-tooled the most of any UVHL squad this season. Adding depth, talent, and tenacity, the Whalers look to establish themselves as a threat this season once their team game is figured out. Unfortunately, it wasn't there in game 1 yet, and the Nords took advantage of it. Whalers captain, GM and veteran goaltender extrordinaire Kenny "The Glove" Lallier made many spectacular saves during this contest, but the Nords offense was too much to handle. Marshy assisted on Brands' goal at 13:45, and then the Nords got a PPG at 6:20 with Liam Oliver in the Whalers box for bodychecking by Kelly Park from Ian Coates. Oliver had many fans in the stands for the game tonight, the special occasion unknown, but it was possibly a party for getting his braces off, we're not entirely sure... The Nords added their 3rd goal at 4:43 by UVHL rookie Kevin Dwyer assisted by Brands. The Whalers answered at 4:18 on a nasty goal over JT's shoulder under the crossbar by newcomer Adam Barton and the helper going to linemate Oliver. The Great Whale pulled within one a mere 24 seconds later on UVHL rookie Steve Bernier's hardworking goal assisted by Sean Clauson. Jordan McGee got his first of three (according to the scoresheet, methinks he got 4) with 2:21 to go from Marshy to end the period 4-2 in favor of the Nords.

In the second, Marshy scored from McGee at 13:23, and McGee continued his own hot streak scoring at 12:30 from linemate Brands and defenseman Shawn "Bleu Cheese" McDermott. Oliver roofed a nice one over JT late in the second with 3:48 to go from Jim "LeReach" LeClair, but continued to get under the skin of the Nords with crap unseen by the refs. Oliver had a breakaway chance in the 3rd and was the victim of a "major league hook" by Kelly Park, but there was no call on the play. Karma? I dunno...all I can say is that Oliver is a Level 4 ref, the highest ranking official in the UVHL, is funny and cool without the player helmet on, but at times his play is "suspect" to say the least compared to the expected level of conduct demanded by USA Hockey. Hockey is a fast, hard game, but keeping it clean and safe is the most important thing because we all have to go to work the next day. RIGHT?

The third period saw the only other penalty of the game go to Whalers stalwart D Kirt Johnson for tripping an advancing Nord in the neutral zone at 13:45. Just as the PP ended Dwyer found the net again from Ian Coates and McDermott at 11:34, and then followed-up with his third for a Hatty in his first UVHL appearance at 7:59 from Marsh and Drew "The Spin Doctor" Crapser. McGee for his Hatty at 6:59 from Brands, and then the hot line of Brands-McGee-Marsh connected for a goal in that order with 3:58 to go. Late in the game Oliver was chatting up Park looking to put on a "Sean Avery" show, but Park kept his cool and didn't get baited in to any shenanigans in front of Oliver's fans.

Final Score: Nords 10, Whalers 3

Final Tally: Check the Boxscores section, eh! Don't forget to vote for the Long Trail UVHL Player of the Week!

Final Analysis: The "6 foot rule" apparently didn't apply for the Whalers, and the Z-man registered only one shot on goal even though he looked like one of the best 15 or 16 forwards in the game! Honestly Zaneloni made everyone he played with better, and the Z-man and Oliver were scoring threats all night for the Whalers, but they were outnumbered by the Nords' McGee, Marsh, Brands, Dwyer, Coates and Phillips in that department, and the Nords experienced defense was cohesive in front of Turner. The Whalers will only get better as the new players work together, but if the Nords actually improve then they will add another Whalen Cup to their mantlepiece in Season 7.
LEAGUE PICK 'EM
 60%
Whalers
40% 
Nordiques
5 PICKS
THREE STARS

Jordan McGee

GOALS: 3
POINTS: 5

Greg Marsh

GOALS: 2
POINTS: 6

Alex Brands

GOALS: 2
POINTS: 5

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