Price-less Hackers Begin New Era with Comeback Win

Following a one week Hurricane delay, the FHL finally returned to action. The 2003B season opened Monday night with the Keane Fire taking on a new-look Sunnydale Slayers squad. Gian Scalet took over the Slayers when Ian Scott was fired after only one season as Captain, and banished to the New Brunswick League. Most observers felt Scalet’s key addition would be Free Agent forward Tony Joyce, and Joyce did not disappoint as he netted 7 goals and added an assist to lead the Slayers to an 11-7 win.

The second new Captain to make his debut was not nearly as successful. David Watson’s Chill squad could only manage to dress five players in addition to goalie Peter Rankin. Among the missing was 2nd round draft pick Dan Frid, whom Watson has been unable to sign despite several intense negotiating sessions. The undermanned Chill was no match for a deep Lite-Sabres team, as all eight Sabre skaters scored at least one goal, rolling to a 20-3 victory.

The final game was a rematch of the 2003A Final. The LAN Hackers played their first ever game without John Price on its roster. With sniper Donnie Bailey also missing from the lineup, the Hackers found themselves trailing late 5-2 in the 2nd period, as rookie Mark Leblanc’s 2 first-period goals in his first game helped pace the Lynx to the lead. One of the Hackers was also hurting, as Scott Ferguson took an accidental forearm to the head late in the opening period, and as he put it later “saw some stars”. The see-saw battle continued with 4 lead changes until the score was tied 7-7 late in the third. Then, reminiscent of Rocket Richard 50 years ago, a dazed Ferguson knocked home the game winner with exactly 2 minutes remaining, and the Hackers held on for a thrilling 8-7 win.