The 07-08 GHL Preseason finally came on the last day in November, and
it came in such a way that it is still making my heart pound. The game was hyped from
the start, the GHL expecting a lot of players to show, including rookies Justin Willmott, Ryan Hoff, and Clark Swanson. In
fact, around thirty players ended up making the preseason game. The GHL also had a near sell out crowd at the Gambucci.
Everyone was pumped. "It's obviously not the same atmosphere here as the Grotte Rink, not as intense, but tonight was
more comparable than ever," said GHL veteran Andrew Grotte in a post-game interview. From the first shift to the last,
the night was very memorable. Kelly Grotte, with his bad back, had decided to Favre it out and play. After
the first shift, he was done for the night, and possibly on the DL for another two weeks. With the back-to-back MVP
on the bench, his team, GHL Blue, would have to pick up the slack. And for the most part, they did, or at least they
tried, facing a goalie who looked to be on a mission. Zach turned away shot after shot against the persistant and perpetual
effort of GHL Blue, and at the end of the game, had only allowed an unofficial GHL indoor-record 8
goals, even after a hard blast to the mid section that sent panic waves throught the GHL Orange bench. Matt
Hartvikson showed once again why he has been sent up to the GHL severeral times. He was the only player, other
than GHL rookie Ryan Hoff and Marcus Bergstrom, who really had his way with Zach, scoring 3 goals with
only a few non scoring shots on goal,and that was after the injury to Zach the Stack. The three rookies also looked
solid in their GHL preseason debut, especially Ryan Hoff, who showed he's not only a force on defense, but can also pick
a spot in the net,as he racked up two goals on the night against Zach Riveland, who arguably played his best game ever. After
the game, Ryan Hoff reported,"I didn't know the GHL was so physical." "Ryan looks like he'll do just fine with
the physical aspect of the game," commented commissioner Kelly Grotte, "We'll be happy to have him onboard." There
were plenty of big hits and two or three fights that kept the fans a big part of the game in the raucous atmosphere
of the Gambucci. In the GHL Blue net, Travis Peach struggled, which was almost expected. He's never
had a great game indoors, due to the comparably larger size of the nets and the increased slickness of the ice. The back
to back MVG was definitely not himself as the GHL Orange put puck after puck in the back of the net anyway they could.
It's not as if he did not make any saves though, he did. He actually looked very efficient in the first 20 minutes,
only allowing 2 goals and keeping it close, but after that, the pucks found the net with relative ease. Zach Myron helped
four of these pucks into the Peach net, ringing one of them off the pipes. Nonetheless, Trapper looked sharp in his
customized goalie mask, new pads, and new CCM Vector Stick.
"With everybody getting older, and players getting better, I think we've turned a corner in the GHL...I
just can't wait to see what's around that corner." said the "out of commission" commissioner Kelly Grotte in a post game
press conference.
The GHL regualar season is looking to start Tuesday Dec, 4th.
Thanks To:
Kelly Grotte for getting the ice time
Mark Schmitz for getting us pinnies
The fans
Matt Hartvikson for coming all the way to GF
