Saturday evening the Ventura Mariners Bantam Killer Bees played host to the Lady Ducks for a friendly exhibition. Coach
Sergey and I were both glad the first game of 2010 didn't count because our boys have had exactly one half-ice practice over
the previous three weeks. It was a great way to get back in gear and prepare for the stretch run. Some of the boys complained
that they don't like playing the girls because they can't hit, but then I reminded them that most of them don't hit anyway
so it was no big deal.
It may be a new year, but somethings never change. The traditionally
slow starting Mariners basically stood around watching as the Lady Ducks scored the first goal. Luckily it only took about
30 seconds for the boys to wake up and respond. Swiss/Canadian AJ Zavitz was still reeling from the World Juniors and I suggested
that he take his frustration out on the other team. AJ did just that, tying up the game and stealing momentum from the Lady
Ducks. Near the end of the first period, Niko Utash hit Killian Anderson with a pass. The K-Man tipped it over to a wide open
Tyler Serianne, who smacked it in for a powerplay goal. Things would have ended on a high note, but the Lady Ducks caught
the boys sleeping again and scored with about forty seconds left.
Sergey's unique Russian style of
motivation got the team a little more focused for the second period. They say the best offense is a good defense, but the
opposite can also be true. While killing off a penalty, Brad Kriegel zipped a pass to a streaking Conrado Gesauldi. Conrado
legged it in, faked the goalie out of her skates, and scored a short-handed goal. Soon after, Tyler would strike again. This
time, it went from Killian to Niko to a wide open Tyler who smacked it in. After a half game of frustration, Brian Zacchia
finally got his trademark smile going when he scored off of a nice AJ feed. Blake Burlew would set up Conrado for the final
goal of the middle frame. The Mariners were in complete control.
The third period almost felt like
a formality. The team was playing so well there was no way they could lose. A big part of that was the defense. Not only did
they clamp it down, they chipped in on the scoring too. Brad help make the shorty happen and Blake had a monster three assist
play-maker. The great thing was all of the guys stepped up their game. I don't usually say much on the bench, but I found
myself telling the kids "great shift" all game long. Patrick Gibson would keep the puck alive in the offensive zone like three
times in a row, then get back and make a great stop. Zach Marshall would poke the puck away, then make a perfect pass out
to the winger. Newest Mariner Luke Tickle would scrap and fight for the puck, lead the rush, then keep things alive at the
other end. It wasn't just Blake, Brad, and Tom Dobrokhot. All of the defensemen were in position, supporting each other, and
being responsible with the puck. I was really proud of my guys.
At one point in the third period,
Killian hit Tyler in full stride with a beautiful two-line cross ice pass. Tyler, sitting on two goals, was in all alone.
The only thing standing between him and his first hat-trick was a shell-shocked goalie. Then, an invisible gremlin knocked
the puck off his stick. No problem. He still had plenty of time before the Lady Ducks caught up with him. Unfortunately, that
stupid black biscuit wouldn't settle down for him. It didn't happen, but the whole thing sure had everyone out of their seats.
I checked after the game it seems some saboteur filled the puck with Mexican jumping beans. It didn't matter, Tyler and the
whole second line had an incredible game. With two points apiece, they were dominant. They might have spent a total of 8 seconds
not attacking the Lady Ducks net. Every shift resulted in at least three golden scoring chances.
Goalie
Timor Katsnelson was solid in net, making 18 saves. The game was in hand. There really wasn't anything left to prove. Well,
maybe there was one thing. Sometimes a coach can tell his players something and it takes half a season to sink in. Other times
it's instant. Sergey told Shawn Wentzel he needed to skate hard and crash the net. The next shift, EJ Frank and Josh Donovan
worked the puck into Lady Duck territory. With Sergey's advice still fresh in his mind, Shawn was skating hard and got to
the net. Josh let a shot go and Shawn was there to pick up the rebound. Mr. Wentzel scored his first goal of the season and
his teammates went nuts for him. See, maybe everyone should start listening to Sergey.
It was a well-played
game and the Mariners definitely deserved the 7-3 win. Maybe the long break was just what the boys needed to recharge their
batteries and get them focused for the rest of the season.
Quack Out
It's like a
shout out for ducks. I gotta say "wassup" to #71 on the Lady Ducks. I thought she played great and it was hilarious to see
her muscle our big tough Killer Bees off the puck all game long. Mr. Killian is very proud of what an accomplished hockey
player she has become.
