Official Game Summary

Glastonbury, CT August 14, 2008. ZRink - Killingworth Guppies Summer 2008 season.

08/14/2008- Thursday night the Guppies and Jimmy StickHandle faced off to decide to top spot in the Zrink C League standings. The Last time the two teams met JS put a massive beating on a short handed Guppies squad, 12-2! Thursday's game would be a rematch and Guppies Nation hoped a full Guppies squad could lead the Fish to victory. Things started out well for the Guppies as Brian Kelly (2-0-2) scored the first goal of the game. Kelly won an offensive draw and skated with the puck to the slot. It took four shots but eventually the puck found the back of the net. Kelly stated in a post game interview " I have no idea what Crayton was doing out there, he definitely not clearing out the front of the net."  The Guppies held onto the lead for the next 5 minutes of play until Jimmy Stickhandle scored at the 8:40 mark of the First half.  They would score again to take the 2-1 lead a few minutes later. The Guppies offense was out shooting JS however Mike Palowski, JS's netminder, was equal to the task. "Goaltending was the difference tonight" stated guppies defenseman Mike Halle "we just couldn't beat their goalie tonight".  Jimmy Stickhandle would score another goal late in the half  to take a 3-1 lead.

In the Second Half, Jimmy Stickhandle would open up an early 4-1 lead. Down three goals the Guppies would catch a break as two JS players were called for penalties. The Guppies went a two minute two man advantage. The Power Play generated a lot of offense but the Guppies continued to struggle in their attempts  to beat Palowski. Finally a great pass from Keith Millen (0-1-1) found Kelly parked on the far post of the JS net. Kelly deflected the pass into the Stickhandle net. Down 4-2 midway through the half  it looked as if the Guppies had new life. The new life was short lived as JS scored on a goal Linskey wished he could have gotten back. "Some of the pucks that went in tonight are normally pucks I stop" admitted Linskey. Jimmy Stickhandle added two more goals for the convincing 7-2 win! The Victory all but assured JS the top spot in the up coming league playoffs. The Guppies will have to win their last game of the season to secure 2nd place.

The Guppies Face off  again on Sunday August 24th at 7pm. The Gupps will be playing the Stars from the ZRink B/C division Sunday. It's also Guppies "Family Night"  All kids are admitted for free! There will also be a post game meet and greet with Guppie players.

SIDE NOTES:

- Jon Stevenson and Brian Mulcahy were healthy scratches

- Happy Birthday to two Guppie team members.  Rob Murphy (8/11) and Brian Kelly (8/21) both turned 27 this year......yeah right!!

BOX SCORES: