|
Brandon Hellevang and Brent Larson combined to score a majority of their team's goals. But let's not look past the stellar defense
of Zach Myron and the physical presence of Kelly Grotte. Then there's the All-Star Collin Grotte who scored his first GHL shootout goal...on Travis Peach. These were the jocks along with Zach Riveland in net that won the first game 5 to 1. These were also the jocks that lost closely in a long tedious battle
that ultimately ended in a loss for them in the second game 5-4. With Travis in the net, Wayne Riveland, Jamyn Riveland, Luke Schmidtz, Jason Grotte, and Andrew Grotte all fought hard to overcome an early deficit and steal the second game from the "Jocks". Infact,
the second game was so grueling that it was decided there would be no third game, the rubber game, that usually does take
place. No, instead there was to be the most exciting happening in sports, the shootout. The jocks scored first, and
Collin Grotte added a second when he made a lightning quick deke to the left that forced Travis to get out of position
and went right, around the outstretched limbs of Peach. The goal hit the back of the net and the crowd went wild...and
so did Travis. The raged goalie beat his stick to a pulp, before the stick finally broke in half. What Travis
did not know was that his team still had an outside chance to tie the shootout up and send it into a sudden death shootout.
They were down 0-2, but they had...2 shooters left. Well, Travis didn't care, he'd had enough. He started to leave
the rink, but after a few comments from GHL commissioner Kelly Grotte, Peach returned to the net in what he thought was a
lost cause. But it wasn't. Using a goalie stick courtesy of Zach R, Travis shut down the next two shooters while both
Jamyn and Luke burried their chances. Well, it was time for a sudden death shootout. Both goalies stood
on their heads until finally, Travis's team scored on a 5-hole snap shot that somehow found its way between Zach
Riveland's pads. Later, when Travis was asked how he felt about Collin's goal, he replied, "It was the most embarassing
thing that has ever happened to me." But it shouldn't have been, Collin Grotte is a rising star.
The game tonight was also unique in that the GHL had an official refferee.
Nich Riveland, while serving his one game suspension, decided to throw on the stripes. Most believe he reffed efficiently
and fairly, but some called him "Shepperd", refering negatively to the ignorant WCHA collegiate refferee. Nich called
limited penalties including some penalty shots, roughing calls, icing, and high sticking, but mostly enforced frozen
pucks and dropped the puck for the faceoffs. When asked after the game if he liked reffing, Nich replied, "No, the stripes
made me feel like both a ref and a prisoner, and both of those things you don't ever want to be." Nich looks forward
to returning as a player the next time the GHL meets.
Other Notes: Luke Schmidtz has been noticeably stronger with the puck lately and is possibly hunting
down a Most Improved Player of the Year Award.
|
