Perrysburg Yellow Jackets 7   Coffman Rocks 2

Game Summary - Dublin Coffman vs. Perrysburg, Sunday, November 19,2007, Hancock Center

 

                                                                                                                                                            photo by Carol Anderson

Rocks 2 - Yellow Jackets 7
1st Period
The Rocks took their unblemished record North again, knowing the test would be much stronger today. Rocks newcomer goalie, Colin Eberhart, was given his first start of the season and the Rocks made the early going a tough debut. Perrysburg came out hard and perhaps caught the Rocks just waking up, just 1:54 in Danny Lopez, swings in front and drills a low shot just under Eberhart's pad to put the Yellow Jackets up 1-0. Off the ensuing face-off at centre Anthony Rogers sprints ahead with the puck and answers immediately, 6 seconds later, putting a backhand past the Jackets net minder, 1-1. for the next 8 minutes Perrysburg is shooting often and have the Rocks reeling, but Eberhart is sharp and makes several outstanding saves to keep the game close. Late in the period, 2 minutes to go, the Rocks put some pressure on themselves however the Perrysburg, net minder denies 5 straight chances in and around the net and the Rocks seem frustrated. Perrysburg out shot the Rocks 10-9.

2nd Period
The break for the Rocks should have  brought some renewed energy, but in fact seemed to have slowed down the Rocks offense. Perrysburg came out of the break flying and physical. Sensing a chance to pressure the Rocks, the Yellow Jackets are physical and creating opportunity upon opportunity. 5 minutes into the 2nd the Yellow Jackets light the lamp again, when Quinn finds Steven Lowe and Lowe's onetime slap shot along the ice beats Eberhart under the pads, 3-1 Perrysburg. While the Rocks are running around the Yellow Jackets are buzzing and a barrage of shots are sent at the Rocks net minder. Perrysburg scores at 3:24 and 2:29, the two goals in a minute have knocked the wind out of the sails of the Rocks. Perrysburg out shot the Rocks 15-8.

3rd Period
After a tough period to swallow, the Rocks came out hard knowing they are stronger than they started. Perrysburg goaltender is sensational early and the Rocks are thwarted on every chance. Half way thru the period the Yellow Jackets turn down the heat as Danny Lopez gets his 2nd of the game, 6-1. Rocks show some life but little too late as Rogers and Anderson, work the puck out to the right side where Chris Ridgway is all alone, Ridgway quickly deposits the net for his 5th of the season, 6-2. But on this night, even when the Rocks stepped up the play, the Yellow Jackets closed the door and finished with a late goal for Lopez, a hattrick,  7-2 Perrysburg. Perrysburg out shot the Rocks 10-9 in the 3rd and 35-26 overall.

Rocks Highlights:
Taking the first loss of the season, was a sting the Rocks would like to remove. Early lessons will payoff and the Rocks learned a few early wins may have come a little to easy. The veteran Rocks of the team felt after the game they should have competed to the level they can and as they go the others will follow. Rocks next games, start in the Thanksgiving tournament, they will be in tough as the Rocks have been put in the toughest division of the tourney, playing teams from St. Louis and Canada should prove a challenge, but the Rocks know they can compete when they come too play. First game is St. John Vianney, Friday night, 9:30, at Chiller North.

                                                                                                                      by Randy Zacharias