I was just starting to get comfortable with the fact that I had not scored a goal all year. I am, after all, a defenseman with questionable offensive skills. The fact that I had just one more assist than the goalie, really did not bother me at all. And then it happened. The puck dropped, then came back to me at the point off J. Lauby’s stick, a few strides in toward the net, the screen set up, a flick of the wrist and twine bows back. I raise my stick in triumph, dap my linemate, then skate back to the bench smug in the fact that I know, that this, our eight goal of the game, was the most important.
Okay, so maybe not THE most important. But I feel it was a significant step for me, to not end the season without a goal. Yeah. I did it.
This was probably our best game yet. We weren’t perfect, but we got the lead, and kept the intensity. 4-0 at the end of the first with a goal by Kveen, J. Lauby, and two by Sir Six Points – Swanson. The first period ended, but with fresh memories of given up leads, no one was talking about the game being over.
The Wild got two goals in the second to cut the lead 4-2. But Etshokin, just off a penalty that yielded their second goal, took the drop back from the ensuing face off, drove all the way to the net and got the point back in a mere 10 seconds. Another score from Hoff got the lead back up to 4.
In the third, the heat was really turned up. Knowing that a win gives us the greatest chance to help us to the playoffs, and also knowing what it’s like to give up big leads late in the game, another 4 goal period was just what we needed to put the game to rest.
The first goal proved that Gardner is not just a man who blocks shots as he got the second assist on Barthelmy’s goal. Then it happened. (Refer to first paragraph for description) Another goal by Etshokin, and the hat trick for Captain TuTu – Swanson, and we have 10 goals against the first place team in the division.
10-3 was the final, and damned did it feel good!