Slayer Comeback Falls Short

Donnie Bailey’s four goals and Jeff Shute’s three markers helped the LAN Hackers build a 9-5 lead Thursday night, but Captain Terry Davison’s late goal was needed to hold off the Sunnydale Slayers for a 10-9 win. The Hackers led 4-2 after one period thanks to two goals apiece by Bailey and Roger Park. Shute then scored all three of his goals in the middle frame to put the Hackers up 7-3.

But after Bailey’s fourth goal made it 9-5, Pierre Martin began the comeback attempt by converting a pass on a two-on-one from Gian Scalet, an almost identical play to one a few minutes earlier on which he also scored with an assist from the Captain. Tony Joyce’s fifth goal of the night was followed by a tally by Dan Frid, bringing the Slayers to within one. Davison then scored on a shot from the point to make it 10-8, and though Martin’s third goal of the period brought the Slayers to within one again with exactly one minute left, they were not able to get the tying goal.

The Slayers started newly-acquired Joe Robson in goal, after a trade with the Fire earlier in the day (see Slayers Clubhouse story). Robson was easily identifiable as he chose to play the entire game without a mask, and was no worse for wear even after taking one shot in the chin area. In return for Robson the Slayers actually gave up Martin, but the soon-to-be Fire was allowed to play one last game for the Slayers due to a clause in his contract guaranteeing him at least one game per week. Despite fears that he may try to “throw” the game for dealing him to the last-place Fire, Martin’s third period hat trick put this speculation to rest.

In the second game of the night Mark Leblanc scored nine goals to pace the Lynx to a 20-10 victory over the Chill. Jason Royal added four markers and Matt Blades three, as the Lynx again joined the Lite-Sabres in a first place tie atop the League standings. The two teams meet in Week 7 for a highly-anticipated showdown.

Notes

With the win the Hackers avenged their Week 1 loss to the Slayers…Leblanc took over the scoring lead with 35 points to Joyce’s 34…Lynx forward Glenn MacCulloch recorded four points to give him 100 for his career…In their earlier matchup, the Lynx and Lite-Sabres played to a 7-7 tie in Week 2