7/16 Recaps!

Pinky and the Fruitcakes Pull Away for 13-7 Win Over Just the Tip Ins

Pinky and the Fruitcakes overcame an early back-and-forth battle before erupting for eight unanswered goals over the second and third periods to earn a convincing 13-7 victory over Just the Tip Ins.

The opening period was packed with offense, featuring 10 combined goals. Just the Tip Ins struck first as Jayden Witman opened the scoring, but Drake Brown answered quickly for Pinky. Bob Angstadt restored the lead for the Tip Ins before Nate Leaman scored twice in just 38 seconds to give Pinky its first advantage. Jordan Brown extended the lead to 4-2 moments later.

Just the Tip Ins refused to fold. Jayden Witman, Bob Angstadt, and Jeff Megonigal each found the back of the net over the next minute and a half to erase the deficit and reclaim a 5-4 lead. With only six seconds remaining in the period, Justin Glenn buried the equalizer to send the teams into intermission tied 5-5.

The second period belonged entirely to Pinky and the Fruitcakes. Drake Brown completed his hat trick with the go-ahead goal before Ben Cozzone, Josh Setley, and Justin Glenn scored during a dominant four-goal burst. Jeff Megonigal briefly stopped the run with his second goal of the night, but Brown answered less than 30 seconds later, finishing off his third goal while receiving an assist from goaltender Shawn Noecker, who picked up a rare goalie helper.

Pinky kept the pressure on in the third as Nate Leaman completed his hat trick early in the period. Megonigal answered with his third goal for Just the Tip Ins, but Justin Glenn added his third of the game before Nick Nudy capped the scoring with a power-play goal late in regulation.

Drake Brown, Nate Leaman, Jeff Megonigal, and Justin Glenn all recorded hat tricks in a game filled with offensive fireworks. Bob Angstadt finished with two goals and two assists for Just the Tip Ins, while Nick Nudy contributed a goal and two assists for Pinky.

Between the pipes, Shawn Noecker made 14 saves and added an assist in the winning effort, while Mike Stern turned aside 20 shots for Just the Tip Ins despite the loss.

Toe Dragons Build Early Lead, Hold Off Shit’s and Giggles for 4-2 Victory

The Toe Dragons scored early and often before tightening things up defensively to earn a 4-2 win over Shit’s and Giggles.

The Dragons opened the scoring at the 7:21 mark of the first period when Derek Kercher found the back of the net. Shit’s and Giggles answered less than a minute later as Josh Buohl finished a feed from Andy Sowers to even the game at 1-1.

From there, the Toe Dragons took control. Tom Lambert restored the lead midway through the opening period off a setup from Kercher, and Nick Santorelli added another late in the frame to give the Dragons a 3-1 advantage heading into the first intermission.

The Dragons extended their lead early in the second period when Kercher scored his second goal of the game, this time off an assist from Santorelli, making it 4-1. Shit’s and Giggles answered with a goal from Andy Sowers, who finished a pass from Konnar Meier, but that would be as close as they would get.

The story in net for Shit’s and Giggles was a tale of two goalies. Shawn Noecker started the game, stopping 7 of the 11 shots he faced before being relieved after allowing four goals. Pat Noecker came on in relief and was outstanding, stopping all eight shots he faced to keep the Dragons off the scoreboard the rest of the way and give his team a chance to rally.

For the Toe Dragons, Steve Conklin was solid between the pipes, making 14 saves while allowing just two goals to secure the victory.

Derek Kercher led the offensive attack with two goals and an assist, while Nick Santorelli contributed a goal and an assist. Andy Sowers paced Shit’s and Giggles with a goal and an assist in the losing effort.

Sweater Puppies Survive Late Rally, Edge Shooting Blanks 12-11 in Thriller

The Sweater Puppies built multiple big leads, watched them disappear, and then delivered one final clutch goal in the closing seconds to escape with a wild 12-11 victory over Shooting Blanks.

The Puppies came out flying, with Logan Buch opening the scoring before Shane Wilson and Buch struck again just 18 seconds apart to build a 3-0 advantage. Shooting Blanks got on the board when Christian Wenger converted a pass from goaltender Pat Noecker, but Buch completed his hat trick moments later to restore a three-goal cushion. After Dan Openheimer answered for Shooting Blanks, Braxton Jester scored late in the opening period to send the Puppies into the break leading 5-2.

The offensive fireworks continued in the second. Haden People extended the lead before Andrew Walter answered for Shooting Blanks. Jester and Shane Wilson each added another goal to push the Puppies comfortably ahead at 8-3, but Shooting Blanks mounted an impressive comeback. Goals from Walter, Jordan Brown, and Jay Rivera in just over a minute cut the deficit to 8-6. Reece Wilson briefly halted the surge, but Rivera scored again before the period ended to make it 9-7 heading into the third.

The final period was packed with drama. Travis Spitler gave the Puppies breathing room early, but Christian Wenger answered just six seconds later. Jester completed his hat trick to make it 11-8, yet Shooting Blanks refused to go away. Andrew Walter buried a power-play goal before Rivera completed his own hat trick to pull within one. With just 43 seconds remaining, Drake Brown tied the game at 11-11, seemingly completing the comeback.

But the celebration was short-lived.

Just 29 seconds later, with only 14 seconds remaining, Braxton Jester buried the game-winning goal off a feed from Logan Buch, lifting the Sweater Puppies to an unforgettable 12-11 victory.

Jester led the way with four goals, while Logan Buch recorded three goals and two assists. Haden People had a huge playmaking night with one goal and three assists, and Shane Wilson added two goals and an assist.

For Shooting Blanks, Andrew Walter finished with three goals and three assists, Jay Rivera posted a hat trick and an assist, and Christian Wenger chipped in two goals and an assist. Pat Noecker also picked up an assist from his goaltending position.

In goal, Chase Wilson made 15 saves to earn the win for the Sweater Puppies. Despite the loss, Pat Noecker turned aside 23 shots and added an assist in an outstanding all-around performance for Shooting Blanks.