Game #6 Report: Scrappy Dogs 6, Vineyard 3

Crusaders continue the descent into cellar dweller depths with a 6-3 defeat at the jaws of the Scrappy Dogs. In the second period, the game was tied at 3-3, but Vineyard was shutout totally in the third period, and faced relentless offensive pressure from a well rested and shift cycling Scrappy Dog squad. The loss leaves Vineyard with a 2-4 win-loss mark, with four games left in the regular season slate.

Matt notched the first and third goals, while Tim T. tallied the second. Matt and Tim T. hooked up on a slapshot defection that was highlight reel material for one of the Vineyard goals. Russel was incredible in net, despite facing a barrage of enemy shots and was required to deal with opposing forwards darting around him all evening, as it seems the rink was tilted to his end.

All and all, it was a disappointing team showing by the Crusaders, for everyone. Post game remarks centered on how Scrappy Dogs looked leaner and younger than our last matchup with them, but they skated as a team and we did not. I'll have more to write on this in another posting, but for now, it will suffice to say that as a team, we're capable of much much more.

Only six skaters were available, and I believe our lineup strategy hindered our efforts also, as four skaters rotated in the three forward slots, and two others split the lone defenseman duty. As the game wore on, a better rested Scrappy Dogs wore down the Crusaders.