It was a valiant effort as each and every Grinder was up for the game. The plan to shut down #85 (almost) worked, positioning was sound, shifts were short and the frozen pucks helped us in puck-control. The effort was big, the beer was cold and the smokies were hot; what else could you ask for? A win, maybe, but alas it was not in the cards. Gord set-up two winngers with saucer-like passes at point blank but to no avail - who were those wingers anyway? Grinders lone goal cam from a shot at the point by Troy Houghton, whose slap-shot sailed by Trainor’s screen and careened off of Triggsy’s fist into the top right corner. This pulled us to within one and we smelled a comeback was possible with the way that Peter was keeping us in the game. 6, 7, 8 breakaways? and he stopped them all, including a couple from #85. Unfortunately of of 85’s breakaways rebounds got lost in Peter’s feet for the trailer to bash in, but the Grinders were still in it until, you guessed it, a penalty. The Cougars got their first goal on a power-play and they would end the Grinders hopes of a third-game on a power play too as they ran out the last 2 minutes while the Grinders played short-handed.
Tanchak, Frank, Tidy … we tried man, we wanted that 3rd game for ya, but it wasn’t in the cards.
The tailgate under the freezing April full moon was a classic, with Triggsy bringing the heat and Trainor bringing the dogs. Nice way to close out the season boys. See you all at summer hockey.
