8/3 Recaps!

Shooting Blanks Earn Forfeit Victory Over Spyderz

Sometimes the hardest part of hockey is making it to the rink.

Shooting Blanks were awarded a 1-0 forfeit victory after the Spyderz failed to field a team and, apparently, forgot to mention they weren't coming. The result was one of the shortest games in SAHL history, with the official scoresheet featuring zero shots, zero goals, and zero penalties—because there was never a puck drop.

The Spyderz may have been the only team to lose without allowing a shot on goal, while Shooting Blanks picked up two points without breaking a sweat. Here's hoping the Spyderz can find the rink—and maybe a full roster—the next time they're on the schedule. 🏒😅

Mixed Nutz Erase Early Deficit, Roll Past Sweater Puppies 9-4

Mixed Nutz shook off an early two-goal deficit before taking complete control, scoring eight of the game's final nine goals to defeat the Sweater Puppies 9-4 Sunday night.

Mixed Nutz opened the scoring just 42 seconds into the game when Theo Vela finished a feed from Elliot Repsik, but the Sweater Puppies answered with an impressive offensive burst. Chris Claycomb tied the game before Logan Buch buried the go-ahead goal less than a minute later. Reece Wilson added another just seconds afterward, giving the Puppies a 3-1 advantage and all the early momentum.

That momentum didn't last long.

Brett Steffe cut the deficit to one before Anthony Weitzel tied the game midway through the period. With just 19 seconds remaining in the opening frame, Eric Refford buried the go-ahead goal off a pass from Theo Vela, completing a three-goal unanswered run and sending Mixed Nutz into the locker room with a 4-3 lead.

Mixed Nutz continued to pour it on in the second period. Anthony Polvino extended the lead after a setup from Anthony Weitzel and goaltender Dann Steffens, who picked up a rare goalie assist. Chris Claycomb briefly brought the Sweater Puppies back within one, but Mixed Nutz responded once again as Weitzel restored the two-goal cushion before Polvino struck with just 23 seconds remaining in the period to make it 7-4.

The third period belonged entirely to Mixed Nutz. Theo Vela netted his second goal of the night before Anthony Weitzel completed his hat trick, stretching the lead to 9-4 and putting the game well out of reach.

Anthony Weitzel led the offensive charge with a hat trick and three assists, factoring into six of Mixed Nutz's nine goals. Anthony Polvino added two goals and an assist, Theo Vela recorded two goals and an assist, and Elliot Repsik quietly finished with three assists. Eric Refford chipped in with a goal and an assist, while Brett Steffe added a goal and an assist. For the Sweater Puppies, Chris Claycomb finished with two goals and an assist, while Logan Buch recorded a goal and two assists.

Between the pipes, Dann Steffens came up with several timely saves after the early flurry from the Sweater Puppies, helping Mixed Nutz regain control while even adding an assist to the scoresheet. Chase Wilson battled through constant offensive pressure as Mixed Nutz found its rhythm, but the relentless attack proved too much to contain.

Just the Tip Ins Catch Fire, Drop a Dozen on Shit's and Giggles in 12-8 Shootout

If you like defense... this wasn't your game.

Shit's and Giggles came out looking like they were about to steal one, jumping out to a 3-1 lead behind two quick goals from Brett Steffe and another from Casey Kerschner. Then somebody on the Tip Ins bench must've remembered the game had started. Just the Tip Ins completely flipped the script, ripping off seven unanswered goals to close the opening period and turning a two-goal hole into an 8-3 lead before either team could catch its breath.

The second period settled down—at least by comparison. Steffe completed his hat trick for Shit's and Giggles, while Pat Noecker and Konnar Meier each chipped in to keep things respectable. Unfortunately for S&G, every bit of momentum they built was immediately erased by Braden McCloskey, who seemed personally offended every time the other team scored. His fifth and sixth goals of the night helped the Tip Ins carry a comfortable 10-6 lead into the third.

Just the Tip Ins slammed the door in the final frame as McCloskey buried goal number seven before Bob Angstadt added a power-play marker just to make sure there wasn't any funny business. Jeremy Leid and Casey Kerschner picked up a pair of late goals for Shit's and Giggles, but the comeback bus had already left the parking lot as the Tip Ins skated away with a 12-8 win.

Braden McCloskey turned in one of the wildest performances of the Summer season, finishing with seven goals and five assists. Apparently the "pass" button was optional—but he used it anyway. Bob Angstadt wasn't exactly taking the night off either, piling up three goals and seven assists, while Wes Eagelman added two goals, including a shorthanded tally. For Shit's and Giggles, Brett Steffe recorded a hat trick, Casey Kerschner finished with two goals and two assists, and Pat Noecker chipped in with a goal and an assist from the back end.

Between the pipes, Mike Stern weathered the early storm before settling in as the Tip Ins offense completely took over the game. Pat Noecker got the start for Shit's and Giggles before Shawn Noecker came on in relief, but when the other team hangs 12 on the board, there's only so much your goalies can do. 🏒

Toe Dragons Slay Free Agent Squad in Tight 3-2 Battle

Not every game needs 20 goals to be entertaining.

The Toe Dragons struck first as Josh Wright buried the opener off a feed from Lee Hirneisen, but the Free Agent Squad answered midway through the opening period when Brandon Mullin found the back of the net. The deadlock didn't last long, though, as Trevor Lambert restored the Dragons' lead just under a minute later, sending Toe Dragons into the first intermission with a 2-1 advantage.

The second period followed a similar script. Mullin scored his second goal of the night to tie things up once again, but Trevor Lambert had the answer, finishing off his second goal of the game after a setup from Josh Wright to give the Dragons a 3-2 lead.

From there, both teams clamped down defensively. The Free Agent Squad kept pushing for the equalizer, but the Toe Dragons refused to give them anything easy, hanging on through a scoreless third period to secure the one-goal victory.

Trevor Lambert led the way for the Dragons with two goals, including the game-winner, while Josh Wright finished with a goal and an assist. Brandon Mullin did everything he could to keep the Free Agent Squad in it, scoring both of his team's goals, while Alec Weaver picked up an assist.

Between the pipes, Steve Conklin came up with several key stops for the Toe Dragons, especially late in the third as the Free Agent Squad searched for the equalizer. Andy Slichter gave his team every chance to steal one, but the Dragons made the most of their opportunities and held on for the win.

And perhaps the biggest shocker of the night? Not a single penalty was called. Twenty skaters, a one-goal game, and the refs didn't have to lift an arm once. Somewhere, the penalty box attendant spent the evening wondering why they even showed up. 🏒

KeppStiens Island Steamrolls the Wreckers, Cruises to 8-0 Shutout

Some games are close. This... was not one of them.

KeppStiens Island came out firing from the opening faceoff and never looked back. Cody Rotiske opened the scoring before Matt Keppley doubled the lead, and things only snowballed from there. Rotiske struck again, Daymond Hiester buried a pair in the final minute and a half of the opening frame, and just like that it was 5-0 after one. If you showed up a few minutes late, you pretty much missed the competitive part of the game.

The second period was more of the same. Chase Skrillex joined the party early before Brayden Skrillex added one of his own. Rotiske completed the hat trick midway through the period to make it 8-0, and from there KeppStiens Island simply put the game on ice.

The third period came and went without a goal, but there wasn't much left to decide. KeppStiens Island had already done all the damage they needed, while the Wreckers were left hoping the running clock would somehow speed up.

Rotiske paced the offense with a hat trick, while Daymond Hiester had himself a monster night with two goals and three assists. Matt Keppley finished with a goal and three helpers, Brayden Skrillex recorded a goal and two assists, and Chase Skrillex chipped in with a goal as KeppStiens Island got contributions from just about everyone.

Between the pipes, Brandon Wagaman was lights out, stopping every puck that came his way to earn the shutout. At the other end, Shawn Leddy had an uphill battle all night as KeppStiens Island generated quality chance after quality chance.

The Wreckers managed just eight shots on goal, making for a pretty quiet evening for Wagaman. Safe to say he probably burned more calories opening and closing the bench door than he did making saves. 🏒