It's always fun to play in the snow, and tonight was no different.
The league played 3 games through a considerable amount of snow and enjoyed plenty of entertainment.
Last year's leading goal scorer, Brent Larson, managed two goals and
an assist in the snowy three game skirmish. In his 1st game in the GHL, Dave Swatlowski had 4 goals including 2 game
winners, and 5 assists to hoist himself atop the league and pronounce his spot in the GHL spotlights. John Ryan was
also impressive as he got his 1st goal of his young GHL career and added a couple of assists. He would have had a second
goal, but the play was whistled offsides after the puck had entered the net.
Goaltender Zach Riveland, named MVG last season, made his first start tonight
in net, and had to resort to some vintage goalie equipment as a result of a lack of GHL sponsorship. "Why we are not
getting the funding we once were just boggles my brain," proclaimed Zach of the equipment error. "I'm in the best league
in the America and I can't get the equipment I want...need to perform well, something's wrong with this picture."
Commissioner, Kelly Grotte, in the meantime has done everything in his power
to meet Zach's needs and has apologized that Reebok has not been as cooperative as the league had hoped. Zach
has openly expressed that he puts no fault on anyone inside the organization and is thankful for what he does have.
The goaltending of Travis Peach was shaky at times, but overall, he played well
and even played brilliantly when it mattered. In the last game, his team was down 4-2 before Travis held on to make
every save while his team marched back and won the game 5-4. "I played terribly, good win guys." Travis was heard saying
to his teammates after the third and final game when he was able to at least feel good about nabbing two out of three wins, the
last in which had a lot to do with him making some key saves.
There was some heavy hits, including a couple of players making a BLT out
of Nich Riveland, but for the most part, the series had a good flow to it. "The first series was definitely a lot more
physical," offered Jake Martin, " I was sore after that opening series."
Host of GHL PotPuck, Ray Zijab has recently been injured. Misfortune befell Zihab Saturday
afternoon when he broke six fingers and sustained additional tendon damage to his right hand as the result of a kitchen
blender accident.
Zihab, 29, underwent surgery on the right hand and is expected to make a full recovery.
But he also is expected to miss several weeks on his talkshow.
"Ray's surgery was performed by a foot specialist,"
Co-Host Brett Anane said in a statement. "The procedure went well and he's expected to make a full recovery."
Zihab was
described as a "bright, intelligent, 29-year-old who made a mistake," GHL Commissioner Kelly Grotte told GHLN
"He put his hand where he shouldn't have."
Ray Zijab has done one episode of PotPuck with Co-Host Brett
Anane in his career, but hopes to get back on the horse after the dust of the blender incident settles.
