Team MDHL 9 vs. Team ML All-Stars 8
MDHL prevails in a dramatic tilt against their arch-rivals from last year!
Friday, March 21, 2003

And so the season's second exhibition game for the MDHL kicked off with a much anticipated rematch against Team (Mike and Long) ML All-Stars. Most of the usual suspects were back in the lineup from the first tilt, where Team MDHL prevailed in a low scoring 5-2 decision. This time around, Team ML were ready with pre-game preparations including line combinations and scouting reports! All the logistics were in order including ex-MDHLer Allen "almost finished rehab but I can still blow this lil whistle" Leung and Melodie "just call me the Scorekeeping Bunny!" McLeod who kindly offered up their ref/score-keeping services.

Sure enough, the game ensued with playoff-like intensity and quick line changing all game long. And credit the home team advantage (which translates into crappy ice quality the size of a bath tub) but Team MDHL found their groove early and the onslaught was one. First one goal, then again, and again and soon it was 8-0 by the half! All three forward lines were contributing nicely on the offense, highlighted by a goal from LW Stan "I just ended the mother of all goal droughts" Quan. Yes, I said "Stan Quan scores a goal..." (Hmm... that just feels odd writing that for some reason).

Otherwise, with the game seemingly out of reach, Team ML were politely reminded of the MDHL goalie mercy rule, which turned out to be a TSN turning point of sorts, as if by magic, Team ML found their game and broke out with a goal soon after. And again, and again... and again (you get the picture). All the while, Team ML's goalie Kelvin "at halfway I'll bring out my 'A' game" Ho shut the door and turned in a last half Vezina-like performance with brilliant safes left, right, and center. Team MDHL also ended up with the game's only two penalties, including one by D Sean "took a penalty last time against these guys, so I guess I'll do it again tonight". On the PK, Team MDHL gave a dazzling display of defensive zone hot-potato passing by Ron " here you take it" Pong and Kevin "no, really, you take it" Mah. Sadly, the PP goal was given up soon after.

And shockingly, with no less than s-e-v-e-n unanswered goals from Team ML, capped off with a defensive gaffe around G Mike " hey, is that puck lying alone in front supposed to be there?" Smith resulting in an open net marker, Team ML found themselves trailing by only one goal in the late stages! Alas, after much sweating and stress on the MDHL bench, including line change mixups (playing shorthanded when there's no penalty doesn't help much), they managed to hang on for the win. Post-game rumblings of a rematch on Team ML home ice were heard and hopefully soon to materialize. Otherwise, a great game had by all!

Game's 3 Stars:

3. Stan Quan... ending a 20+ game goal drought deserves all this and more if you ask me.
2. Kelvin Ho... unbelievable saves and the best goalie... for the last half of the game that is.
1. Mike Smith... also the best goalie... in the first half of the game, but also gets the "W".