Likity Split 11 vs. Dirty Dogs 8
New trade, new players, same old result
Friday, May 23, 2003

And with the mid-series mark upon us, it was the Dirty Dogs looking to keep their momentum in seeking only their second win of the series. With new blood in the lineup after a four player swap, the 'Dogs were hoping for better than they got. And what they got was another hard working effort only to come up short yet again versus Team Likity Split and their merry band of snipers. No surprise from the Splitters as they ride their #1 line in Ma-Archibald-Chang aka the Big MAC line (yah, kinda lame moniker, but we'll go with it) to a quick 3-0 lead.

Not looking good for the 'Dogs and struggling to find some chemistry in their roster, the newly acquired Travis "so many chances, so little time" Wong was hard pressed to convert while D Jason "hmm, this looks, smells, and tastes like my personal worst outing ever" Lai gets burned early and often on the blue line. Split's sub Jeff "earning my stars and stripes, one game at a time" Nishimura played well, assisting on a big-league from Mike "eight feet in and time to unload the slapper" Nguyen with a beauty off the crossbar.

On a brighter note for the Dogs, F Stan "there's no stopping me now from career numbers" Quan scores his first goal of the series to spark some fight and lo and behold, it become a 10-8 game in the late stages. Alas, Split's G Mike "relax I got the fort" Smith was stellar in holding off the late charge and sealed the win.

MDHL 3 Stars:
3. Michael Nguyen... signs of steady improvemennt... been practising lately?
2. Tom Ng... quiet and solid on the blueline for his new team.
1. Mike Smith... another day in the office between the pipes for the win.