Official Game Summary

Glastonbury, CT May 14, 2009. ZRink - Killingworth Guppies Spring 2009 season.

05/14/2009-   Unfortunately for Guppies nation, it appears as though the 2009 Spring Season is going to end without the Guppies making a play-off appearance.  Although the Guppies may not have been mathematically eliminated as of yet, they got that much closer after last night's scary effort.  The Guppies faced off against Monster shorthanded before the game even started.  The Guppies were missing stalwart offensive defenseman Dan Pequita as he continues to nurse an upper body injury that occurred over a month ago.  Pequita was overheard telling the Guppies medical staff that he was going to rub some dirt on it and that it would be fine, however the medical staff refused to give him clearance.  The Guppies were also without Captain Brian Kelly and starting netminder Joe Linskey.  At this time I am unable to confirm or deny the rumor that Kelly and Linskey went to Europe to seek out noted sports psychologist Dr. Everythingisgoingtobealright.

Speaking of which, the Guppie's team session with Dr. Feelgood appears to have done some good as the Guppies kept Monster from scoring within the first minute and a half of the 1st period.  The doctor's good work only lasted another minute and a half, as Monster would get on the board first, second and third and before you knew it, the Guppies were down 3 - zip.  The Guppies would eventually get on the board as Tim Poulin (1, 1) would take a feed from Jason Zito (0, 1) and Marc Crayton (0, 1) to make the score 3 -1.  Monster answered right back with two more goals to make it 5 to 1.  Veteran power forward Dave Armenia (1, 1) helped cut the lead to 3 goals as he would bury a feed from the top of the crease on nice pass from Keith Millen (0, 1).  Along the way, the Guppies lost standout defenseman Mike Halle to a lower body injury he suffered during his first shift.  Monster would score again to make it 6 - 2.  The Guppies racked up 5 penalties in the first half, continuing the short handed theme.  The short handed theme only got worse in the 2nd half.

Things got so bad for the Guppies in the 2nd half, that Marc Crayton and Dave Armenia both took shifts on defense.  I know much of Guppies Nation must be wondering what could have happened that Crayton & Armenia actually took shifts on defense, a fan was overheard asking whether Crayton & Armenia could actually skate backwards.  Well the short handed Guppies would play most of the second period without Jason Zito and Brian Mulcahy who were both given game misconducts for questioning Referee # 2 and some of his calls.  Monster would add 3 goals in the second half and the Guppies would add one goal, Jon Stevenson (1, 0) was set up by Tim Poulin and Dave Armenia.

Backup Guppies netminder Andy Pettola said he was fighting the puck all night long and that is what the rest of the Guppies looked like they were doing for most of the night.  Rob Murphy was quoted as saying that it's a good thing Big Papi went 0 for 7 and left 12 runners on base or else this scary Guppies performance would be the lead on ESPN.

Guppies management has told the team to take the rest of the week off and to get away from the rink and the practice facility so that the team can clear their collective heads.  Some in Guppies nation are wondering if the team took the game against Monster off as well.

The Guppies finish the regular season against their arch Nemesis the Fire Ants next Thursday night.

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