(Lewis
Center, OH)

Three wins into the Fall 2010
session and your Army of Darkness hockey club is really starting to gel.  Despite the absence of three high powered
cogs in the offensive machine, the AOD notched a gritty 4-2 win over Winter
2009 champs BT3 on Sunday, September 26 at Chiller North.

With
Chris Bilek, Rob Fitzgerald, and Russ Kerscher all on ice, the AOD was facing a
tough test, but one they were up for.  A
recent arrival and two old faces in new places accounted for all of the
scoring, with newcomer Keith Allenbach notching two goals, and veteran forwards
turned defensemen Sam Mathoslah and Jim Stiers providing pop from the blueline
with a goal apiece.

Allenbach
got the scoring started with just over three minutes to play in the opening
period, helped along with an assist from Mathoslah, who later added to the lead
with a second period goal of his own to make the score 2-0.

“I’m
really having a lot of fun since the move (to defense),” Mathoslah said.  “It’s a different look from the blueline,
you get to see the whole game, watch it develop.  There’s whole new ways to make a contribution.  I’m glad I could still find a way to score.”

However,
the next two goals belonged to BT3, the last coming with just under nine minutes
to play in regulation.  Before BT3 could
complete their rally, however, goaltender Kelly Berry took control of the
ship.  Slamming his stick into the ice
one time (“Composing myself,” the netminder would say later), he settled into
his crease and refused to allow another piece of rubber past him.

His
gritty play, and the hard-nosed backchecking from the skaters in front of him
were enough to hold the BT3 attack at bay until Allenbach took the puck nearly
end to end, depositing it behind the BT3 goaltender and putting his team ahead
to stay with 6:41 left on the clock. 
Two and a half minutes later, AOD captain Stiers slipped another one by
to make the score 4-2, which proved to be the final.

The
game winner was Allenbach’s sixth goal in three games with the AOD.

“We’d
really like to see more production from Keith,” Stiers laughed after the
game.  “We’ve only gotten ten points
from his line since they joined the team,” the captain continued, referring to
Allenbach and his linemates Matt Thiedt and Tom Grusz.  “We were promised a hat trick a game, and
they’re barely averaging over two (goals). 
Let’s hope they step it up soon.”

All
kidding aside, with the victory the AOD remains in a first-place tie with last
session’s runners-up, the Yokos, at 6 points apiece.  The AOD will once again mobilize at the Chiller North on Sunday,
October 3 at 7:50 pm to take on newcomers the Winterhawks (2-1-0, 4 pts.).  Come on out and cheer the Boys in Blue!  The Chiller North is conveniently located
just off St. Rt. 23 in Delaware County, and games are always free and open to the public.

 

 

JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS
“HEROES” OF THE GAME

1. Keith Allenbach, AOD:  2 G, GWG

2. Sam Mathoslah, AOD:  1 G, 1 A

3. Bickley, BT3, 2G