THIS WEEK'S CENTRE ICE RINK BRONZE LEAGUE WINNERS MANAGED DRASTIC LEADS

HARRINGTON, DE - November 7, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

At the Bronze League level, Centre Ice Rink spectators might see a shutout or a near shutout on occasion; however, this week was an exception to the rule as each game’s winner was painstakingly obvious.

On Wednesday, “Finish Line” Collision and Wilson Contracting’s “Stars” both entered the ice in a good mood and ready to win—one team, however, was completely naïve. The Stars’ David Wilson (assist: Michael Arabia) scored first, and seconds later the spectators thought it was déjà vu as Wilson (assist: Arabia) scored again. In a follow-up goal a few minutes later, Arabia (assist: Richard Borrelli) scored on a power play. The second period was slow starting, but once the Stars got the puck rolling, there was no stopping them. With four consecutive goals, the Stars took their lead from 3-0 to 7-0. Robert Patterson (assists: Fred Messa, Arabia) on a power play started the motion, followed by Robert Betts (assist: Arabia), then Arabia unassisted, and finally Betts (assists: Borrelli, Wilson) to end the period. The third period flew by as it started with a running clock. Betts (assist: Wilson) on a short handed play made the final goal for the Stars completely shutting out Finish Line 8-0. Finish Line could only be thankful that their goalie, Bryan Burns, had managed 26 saves during the game; otherwise, the loss would have been even worse.

During the first game of the night on Sunday, Wilson Contracting’s “Stars” were at it again as they took on Jonathan Landing’s “JL Eagles”. It was obvious from the start that both teams weren’t going to get along as the referees were put through the ringer with penalty after penalty. It was also noticeable that the JL Eagles weren’t going to succumb to the week’s winner without a fight. In fact, during the first period, JL Eagles’ William Medford (assist: Christopher Good) was the only player to put one into the net which gave his team the lead. However, the Stars came out energized for the second period and were able to catch up when Robert Betts (assists: Michael Arabia, Dave Wilson) scored. Both teams held back all attempts for the remainder of the period resulting in a 1-1 tie at the end of the second. In the third period, the Stars scored again with a goal by Robert Patterson (assists: Betts, Wilson) on a short handed play. The JL Eagles struck back as Matthew Funston, unassisted, scored on a short handed play. Now tied 2-2, it looked like the Stars might have met their match; however, that wasn’t the case. In the final minutes, the Stars’ Richard Borrelli (assists: Wilson, Steve Judge) and Arabia (assists: Betts, Wilson) both netted the puck giving the Stars the 4-2 win.

In Sunday’s second game, the “Mad Dogs” took on “Finish Line” Collision. Mad Dogs’ Garrett Atz (assist: Lion Gardner) was the first to score. Given Finish Line’s disastrous defeat earlier in the week, and their first strike, the Mad Dogs held a positive outlook at the start of the game; little did they know it would be their only goal for the night. Finish Line came back with a goal by Christopher Klein (assist: Garth Baldridge) followed by a goal from Ray Reddington (assist: Ron Corder). With 20 second left in the period, Klein (assists: James Olson, Douglas Backus) netted another to give Finish Line the 3-1 lead at the end of the first period. In the second period, Finish Line got upset over a debatable goal they believed they should have received meanwhile Reddington made an amazing save—sliding right between the goalie and the net preventing the Mad Dogs from scoring. Finish Line’s Corder (assist: Troy Palmer) and Olson (assist: Michael Petit De Mange) both contributed and brought their team to a 5-1 lead. In the final period, with 35 seconds left on the clock, Petit De Mange (assist: Reddington) made the only goal for the period giving Finish Line the 6-1 win.

In Sunday’s final game, the NAPA “Predators” took on Buffalo Wild Wing’s “Outlaws”. Just as in the previous game, “he who scores first may never score again” as the Predators’ Brian Bassett (assist: Danny Ranger) was the first to score; however, it would be the team’s only goal for the game. The Outlaws’ Mark Hoffman struck back with a hat trick—netting three pucks with assistance from Adam Schmidt, Peter Lysek, Andrew Dahlke, and Keith Younus. The Outlaws second period continued with two more goals from Ray McCloskey (assist: Lysek) and Randy Hultman (assist: Hoffman). With a scoreless third period, the Outlaws grabbed the 5-1 win which could have been even more impressive if the Predators’ goalie, Gregory Gries, hadn’t made an unbelievable 39 saves.

The Centre Ice Rink at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington invites you visit and watch any of the adult ice hockey league games for free. The League is USA Hockey certified and Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA) affiliated. Per USA Hockey standards, placement is based on interest, experience and ability. For game times, or to learn how you can compete, please call The Centre Ice Rink at (302) 398-5900 or visit www.SkateAtTheFair.com.###