So, let's start with the dumpster fire.
Rochester Americans: 6
Lake Erie Monsters: 3
.@zweigleshots intermission Hot Dog Race is back. Any guesses on tonight’s victor? Tweet them to us! pic.twitter.com/zdfHhT2mAJ
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) October 9, 2015
Heading into this game, the biggest question on my mind was, "Who, pray, who was going to win the intermission Hot Dog Race?!?" My money was on Red Hot, with no bun to slow him down like White Hot, nor the tired stoner eyes seen on Beer Brat, and look that screams, "I'm ready to go!" Alas, I was wrong.
.@zweigleshots intermission Hot Dog Race is back. Any guesses on tonight’s victor? Tweet them to us! pic.twitter.com/zdfHhT2mAJ
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) October 9, 2015
Curse you White Hot! Curse you!
If I had a second question, it would be if the Amerks could start off their historic season strong, and they got the win. Not just the win but the first goal of the season. The team celebrating their 60th anniversary in the league celebrating its 80th gets the first goal of the season? Only thing more poetic would be if it were the championship, but I'm not jumping on that bandwagon yet..
After the first period, Amerks had a commanding lead and were playing well, and then in the second period they forgot how to play and let the Monsters catch up. From there on out it was turnovers, dumb penalties, and generally sloppy play. Rochester could be optimistic about the fact they had a hat trick in game 1, and their goalie has a save percentage of .921 for the first game, but if they want to improve I would have to hope they improve on the mistakes. Also, they might not be as lucky if they continue to allow 38 shots on goal, and not spend more time in the offensive zone, but a win is a win. One where they started strong and ended strong at least. That said, it came at a cost as Center Phil Varone was either ejected or left with injury after committing and unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
If you're a Lake Erie fan however, I would be concerned about your goaltender. .783 save percentage against 23 shots. Really soft goals too. Lake Erie also made some bad mistakes. There were a lot of penalties. It was a lot of time in the offensive end, but not much to show for it.
I thought it was a sloppy game all around, but hey, mistakes balance out.
Now what I thought was the better game.
Wilkes-Barre-Scranton Penguins: 2 (OT)
Providence Bruins: 1
This isn't to say there was sloppy play, but it was compensated with two outstanding goalie performances. Each team had over 40 shots on goal. The baby pens were so close to a fantastic shut out when the Baby Bs tied it up with less than two minutes to go. Crucial timing, and then...
Bruins lost. Like immediately starting overtime.
Bruins as an NHL organization have this habit, one really good period, one really bad one and have a terrible power play.. The baby Bs were really strong in the first period, dominating, but let a goal slip by in the second, and couldn't capitalize on any of their power plays. While the Baby B's were more consistant, they definitely are built in Big Brother's mold, for better or worse. What is encouraging is that their goalie is off to a relatively good start and if that level of play continues, Zane McIntyre might end up jumping over Subban in regards to who the Bruins can deal for prospects.
The Baby Pens did get the win, despite the penalties and their goal tender also impressed, Matt Murray is entering his second season and has been a dominant goalie in the league since being pulled up. While I don't think either the goalies are in a race to replace either Rask or Andre-Flurry, both are setting their teams up for strong goal tending futures.
Plus there was a pretty good fight in this game. I said it when I did the Providence Bruins games to gun for preview, it was going to be a great game and I'm sure if you went you were not disappointed. I mean outside of the fact the home team lost.
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