THE

UPPER VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE

Whalers
Labatt Blues
1st
1
2
2rd
1
2
3rd
1
0
FINAL
3
4
Shots
28
39
December 8th, 2009 - 6:30PM
Union Arena - Woodstock, VT
Pre-Game
Recap
Box Score
Discussion
Game ID: 607

Dead River wins pugilistic Battle of the Basement

FYI: I am trying a new format for the game write-ups and will omit recounting every goal, assist and penalty in consecutive order since you can easily see that in the boxscores section. I will primarily focus on game highlights and analysis in the body of the report, and will continue with my trademark Final Score, Final Analysis, and Final Tally at the conclusion.

I only saw the first two periods of this game, and what I did witness was an even game between two teams that wanted to win. What I did NOT see was the more eventful third period while I was getting dressed for my own game, and colorful it was! Highlights of the first two periods were: a nasty glove save by Hadley in the second, Hadley stopping Zaneloni on a breakaway in the first (I guess the good luck jersey was working tonight, eh, Hads?), Lallier stopping the first shot and then turning away multiple chances in a scrum, and three minor penalties. Dead River was up 2-1 after the first, and had scored 4 consecutive goals by late in the second for a commanding 4-1 lead. The Whalers struck with a mere 32 seconds left to send it into the third only down by 2.

In the final frame the fireworks started and there were 8 penalties: 5 to the Oilers, 3 to the Whalers, and two of those were to the same DR player on the same play. From several reports here is what happened: the Oilers Evan Duggan took Whalers winger Scott Leger hard into the boards, no call, and it looks like things were escalating between the two two prior to that. They started jawing, and Duggan high sticked Leger around the face and then they started fighting, both left bleeding.

Here is the edited account directly from one of the refs:

During a man down faceoff in his own zone, I watched Duggan flip Leger to the ice as the puck dropped, we saw this and called the same penalty. Dead River killed off the penalties, on an ensuing shift, I saw Duggan from the blueline, come from behind his own net and line up Leger in the corner and put a heavy body check on Leger in corner. We both raised our hands to indicate a penalty, I saw Leger verbalizing to Duggan, Duggan pushed Leger and a fight broke out. Both players helmets had been removed and I could see that punches had been landed by both players and both players were bleeding. We conferred at the scorekeeper's bench and agreed that because punches were thrown that both players were to be given 5 minute majors and misconducts, and that we both had seen the initial infraction for the bodycheck at the beggining. Dean and Stu from Dead River didn't argue at all, we informed them of the call and infraction and they immediately put a player in the box to serve the minor roughing penalty. We conferred again before our games started and were very conscientious and concerned about making the right call. We both agreed that we had made it correctly. My ref partner also stated that he saw a look in Duggan's eyes that alarmed him.

From the captains:

Leger was cut was from the cross check in the face, which is what precipitated the rest of the event.

I had a beer and of course some blue cheese with Leger last night and the scrape was from his mask coming off his face not from punches... no stitches needed.

In addition, Duggan received his 4th and 5th penalties of the game on the play, and that alone comes with a game suspension as per UVHL AND USA Hockey rules (UVHL is 4, USA Hockey is 5). FYI: we can be more strict than USA Hockey, but we cannot reduce any of their standards.

So there you have it right from the eyewitnesses better than I could have done myself! It looks like the Whalers took advantage and scored on the ensuing PP with 4:04 left to make it 4-3 Oilers, and then the two teams battled for the win in a 1-goal game. What more can you ask for on a Tuesday night? UVHL, you had me at "hello"!

Final Score: Dead River 4, Whalers 3

Final Analysis: Hockey is a fast, tough, emotional game. Anybody can see red and lose it. I've done it, more than once. Apparently red is what Evan Duggan saw and lose it he did as per a direct report to me from BOTH of the referees. In addition, both players were assessed double minors for "tummy sticking" while they were rolling around on the ground like two Queens in heat. But seriously, I will talk with both captains, and the other commish and I will confer about any additional suspensions above and beyond USA hockey, but seeing as this write-up will be done super early all the news and feedback may not yet be out by the time I post these game details. From a Commissioner's perspective, I am more concerned about a report of a high stick to the head or face than a tussle between two players, especially if the high stick causes injury to the teeth, requires stitches, or produces a concussion. Those infractions will surely get at least 2 games from us on top of the 1 game automatic USA Hockey suspension. The report on Leger was that he was okay afterwards, no stitches or ER visit, and enjoyed a beer post-game. REMEMBER THE CODE: we all gotta go to work the next day!

This was a one goal game between two evenly matched teams. They're still looking for their team games and had the majority of their significant players there, so I'm not surprised it was close. I had predicted a 4-4 or 5-5 regulation tie then a shootout (with the Whalers winning esp. since pattison wouldn't be available for the shootout this week), so it wasn't too far off. What do these two squads need to make it to the next level? Better attendance and a cohesive game plan. That's it. When they do, look for them to do some damage. Its nice to have a league where anyone can win on any given night, and you had better show up or you're gonna get smoked.

Final Tally: Check out the Boxscores section for the stats, eh! Don't forget to vote for the UVHL Long Trail Player of the Week. The winner gets to pick up a FREE case of beer at Long Trail Brewery thanks to super CEO (and former Notre Dame superstar and UVHL Brewer) Brian Walsh!
LEAGUE PICK 'EM
 64%
Whalers
36% 
Labatt Blues
11 PICKS
THREE STARS

Gregory Hadley

GOALS: 0
POINTS: 0

Jay Zanleoni

GOALS: 2
POINTS: 3

Richard Golden

GOALS: 1
POINTS: 2

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