MORAL TO THE SUNDAY NIGHT BRONZE LEAGUE STORIES: SCORE FIRST AND OFTEN TO WIN

HARRINGTON, DE - November 13, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The start of the Sunday night trilogy of Bronze level hockey at The Centre Ice Rink pitted Jonathan Landing’s “JL Eagles” against the NAPA “Predators”. Both teams were eager to win and have fun, especially the Predators with their returning defense player Lance Green on-board. With several minutes of back-and-forth play to start, the Predators’ Brian Bassett (assist: Robert Bassett, Jr.) was the first to score and was quickly followed by a goal from teammate Richard Wawrzeniak (assist: Michael Jeffers). The Predators’ goalie, Gregory Gries, was a brick wall--holding back all attempts from JL Eagles, and they began to trail behind. With just over two minutes remaining in the first period, the Predators’ B. Bassett (assist: James Trabaudo) scored again, but this time, JL Eagles struck back as James Rau (assist: Christopher Good) beat the goalie with less than 15 seconds remaining. Throughout the second, both teams were holding back all attempts until the end of the period when JL Eagles’ Brain Page (assists: Good, Matthew Funston) grabbed the only goal for the period, narrowing the Predators’ lead. The Predators noticed the threat and turned up the heat as Trabaudo (assist: R. Bassett) netted another goal for the team, and with just over one minute remaining, teammate Matthew Warrington (assist: Thomas Gates) grabbed the final goal and the 5-2 win.

In the second Bronze League game, Wilson Contracting’s “Stars” were matched against Seafood City’s “Sharks”. Both teams were warmed-up and well-prepared; however, the Stars were emotionally charged as teammate Mike Arabia played his farewell game--a farewell to be celebrated as Arabia, a Bronze-level player, has refined his skills and is moving up to the Silver Division. Arabia, wanting to leave a lasting impression, grabbed the first goal (assist: Dave Wilson). Then, Wilson took a penalty shot and scored ending the period 2-0 in favor of the Stars. During the second period, the Sharks hammered away at the Stars’ goalie, Joe Alvarado, as puck after puck flew at him; however, he was unwavering and blocked all attempts. The scoreless period meant the Sharks were still lagging behind by two. In the third period, with a little bit of luck and the Sharks serving in the penalty box, Arabia first tipped the puck in the net (assist: Richard Borrelli, Robert Patterson) and then grabbed a hat trick on a power play (assist: Wilson). With 5-on-5 and 2:05 left on the clock, the Stars’ Fred Messa (assist: Robert Betts) shot one last goal giving the Stars the 5-0 shutout--a perfect ending for Arabia as he bridges to a new level of play.


The final game of the night put the “Mad Dogs” face-to-face with Buffalo Wild Wings’ “Outlaws”. The Outlaws, not wasting anytime, scored less than one minute into the game with a goal by Keith Younus (assists: Mark Hoffman, Adam Schmidt). Minutes later, Hoffman, team captain of the Outlaws, scored unassisted. Not taking kindly to this, David Lonchar (assist: Michael Williams) of the Mad Dogs scored. Hoffman, however, answered the goal with his own unassisted goal. With just over two minutes remaining, the Outlaws scored again with a goal from Adam Schmidt (assists: Hoffman, Younus) on a power play. In the second period, the Outlaws continued to dominate the ice with Thomas Cathcart (assists: Andrew Dahlke, Daniel Matta) scoring just minutes into the period. Williams, taking a stand for the Mad Dogs, scored unassisted, sliding one right past the Joseph Subrick--the Outlaws’ unsuspecting goalie. The Outlaws struck back with three consecutive goals: Joe Wobeter (assist: Dahlke) on a power play, Schmidt unassisted on a short handed play, and Wobeter (assist: Schmidt) again. Unable to hold back all attempts from the Mad Dogs, David Sawicki (assist: Troy Vokes) was able to net a puck with less than three minutes remaining on the clock; however, it wasn’t enough as the Outlaws grabbed two more before the buzzer: Younus unassisted and Richard Ortega (assist: Cathcart) on a power play. With a seven point lead, the Outlaws continued their rule as Younus (assist: Randy Hultman, Dahlke) slid one into the net managing a hat trick at the start of the final period. In a surprise attack by Sawicki (assist: Raymond Holland), the Mad Dogs increased their score to 4; however, the Outlaws regained control for the remainder of the game as Wobeter, unassisted, pulled off a hat trick while teammate Ray McCloskey (assist: Dahlke) got his name on the board. As the clock counted down, the Mad Dogs, down by nine points, didn’t have much hope for a comeback, and the game finished with a final score of 13-4 in favor of the Outlaws.

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.###