ICRC 4 - Brampton Beavers 5
South Fletcher's Sportsplex, Brampton

Irish unable to score on female goalie

The Irish Hockey team took to the ice for their first game of the season in the unfriendly confines of Brampton to face the Beavers.  Pre-game nervousness was replaced by a sense of joy as the 9 players who showed up realized there was plenty of ice time to be had.  During warm-ups, the Brampton side offered a few players to the Irish, as they had 4 lines and 6 defensemen.  The lads gladly accepted as they were quite winded after skating 2-3 laps and taking a couple of shots before the game actually started.

The Irish got on the board first as one of the Brampton players who joined them scored his first of three on the night.  The Beavers stormed back and scored a beautiful goal off a deflection in front.  Unfortunately it scored by another of the Brampton imports, who briefly lost his bearings and forgot that he had changed teams.  A penalty on Alex Maggicomo for high sticking late in the first period gave Brampton their first power play, but they were not able to capitalize.

Brampton scored early in the 2nd period; John Cruise evened the score with a bullet wrist shot from the hash marks; the Irish took the lead and then the Beavers poured on the pressure.  Jim Willett got an interference penalty and Brampton took advantage, by putting 4 players in front of the Irish net.  The ICRC penalty killers mugged all four in front leaving Beaver defensemen Dack Heslop wide open.  The puck came back to him in the slot, he tripped over it twice, then shot blindly at the net, fanned on the effort.  The puck had eyes as it managed to miss all the traffic in front and slip through goalie Tim McIntyre's legs.  

Later in the third period, Maggicomo was pushed into the boards from behind, giving the Irish a power play.  Chances were few and far between as the Beavers killed off the penalty, thus ending the threat.  With time winding down, Kevin Turlo was dragging his butt back down the ice when the puck was turned over, and fired to him, putting in all alone on the diminutive Brampton goalie.  Turlo must have had a great move planned, but when finally tried it, he had already skated past the Beaver net.  The horn sounded and the game was over. 

Way to go Kevin.

ICRC Squad:

Goal - Tim McIntyre
Defence - Oren Smith, Chris McCannell, Andrew Yearwood, Alex Maggicomo
Forwards - John Cruise, Jim Willett, Neil Maxwell, Kevin Turlo

Thanks to the lads from Brampton for a great game!!  Thanks to the players who joined our team!!