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I must apologize for the lateness of this week's game reports. The server for my editing site was down yesterday. Thank you
for all of the angry e-mails and dirty looks. You guys are like a bunch of junkies desperate for a fix.
The
Friday after Thanksgiving, the Ventura Mariners Bantam Killer Bees kicked off their holiday tournament against the Fresno
Jr. Falcons. The team from up north definitely came to play and gave our kids some trouble in the early going. If it weren't
for some great goal tending out of Mark Becica and some tenacious defense from Cameron Torres this game would have gotten
out of hand.
In the second period the Mariners finally got on the board when Jason Hart kicked the
puck out to the point. Josh Kuchinski didn't hesitate to smack the sucker right into the back of the net. The boys ended the
middle frame down 2-1, but they had the momentum. In the early stages of the third, the Mariners would get another goal. I
missed this one, but it was equally as mysterious for those who saw it. After extensive research and dozens of interviews
I think it was Shane Heller who scored on a rebound. The officials were equally as confused. They gave it to Patrick Dalton.
Late in the game, the Mariners were down a goal. That's when Conor Gleason decided to work some of his magic. He took the
outlet pass, got behind the Falcons defense and took their goalie to school.
The game would technically
end in a 3-3 tie. Notice I said "technically". Early in the game, the Mariners scored a goal. Unfortunately, the ref and the linesmen were
so horribly out of position, they couldn't see it. That non-call would figure to be huge, as it would have given the boys
a win and would have propelled them into the championship game. Regardless, our team played a great game. Tom Dobrokhot, Blake
Burlew, and JB Lovelace all played some inspired defense. Killian Anderson had some huge hits and a few nice scoring chances.
Linemates Corey Werden and TJ Samuel also threatened the goalie on numerous occasions. The Brian Zacchia, Luke Tickle, and
Niko Utash line had excellent pressure in the offensive zone. I don't think I was alone in feeling proud of how well the kids
played.
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