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<center> VS </center>

Another season, another St. Louis Scarecrow season home opener. This time, they face off against the their division rivals – the Halifax Raiders.

<center>THE HIGHLEET REEL:</center>
<center>
Newly named captain Sebastian Strange skates out to the deafening applause from the St. Louis crowd.</center>

Off-season acquisitions and deft draft picks have made both the Scarecrows and the Raiders formidable teams. The game tonight should send echoes through the division and set the tone for the season.

In addition to that, each team named new captains, with Scarecrow’s favourite Sebastian Strange selected for St. Louis and Felix Herzog leading the Raiders to S29.

<center>
This large hit on Kelly Rivet by Hunter Johnson began a 5-minute powerplay that the Scarecrows capitalized on.</center>

It was after Rivet was sent back in time through a vicious intent-to-injure hit that changed the game. With an extra long 4-on-5 powerplay, the Scarecrows were put to the task to seal the deal. Needless to say, they rose to the challenge.

Two separate Scarecrow goals were scored on the powerplay. You can safely assume Johnson had a lonely flight home after that fiasco.

<center>
The game winner – Dos Diablo finishes off an odd carom from the boards from a previous shot by Adam Greenholm.</center>

The second line center Dos Diablo had one hell of a game recording a team high 6 shots on net and two points to show for it. It’s amazing to watch this kid play the game. I know I look forward to seeing his career progress.

But the dagger came from Eugene Feist hammered home the game winner. After winning the faceoff, Feist drove around the Raider offensive zone for almost 20 seconds before snapping home this wrister:

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Feist plays keep away before scoring a minute before the powerplay expires.</center>

<center>FACEOFF BREAKDOWN:</center>

The real story of tonight was simple – possession. Win the faceoff and you win the zone, as coach always said. That’s what the Raiders struggled with tonight. While they weren’t completely steam rolled, they struggled with that fundamental part of the game, as seen below:



St. Louis dominated the circle tonight, winning 56.8% of the draws. Charlyb’y and Feist lead the ’Crows by winning 79%(23/29) and 63%(19/30) of their faceoffs, respectively.

<center>THREE STARS:
(as chosen by me, not the simulation)</center>

Vincenzo Matteo – a defensive powerhouse tonight. Although he and partner, rookie Darryl Landry, were a second pairing, they garnered more playing time than the first pairing. It’s reflected in Matteo’s playing time – over 20 minutes along with 5 minutes of powerplay time. That time is coveted and doesn’t go to just anyone. You must earn your keep in the SMJHL and Matteo did just that.

Casey Holmes – a veritable wall in net tonight. Only two goals got by Holmes tonight; one off a deflection by Aumeisters and onto the waiting stick of Dabkowski, and one from an unfortunate rebound that dribble right to Blake Battle. Otherwise, a stellar night for Holmes, who walked away with a 0.926 save percentage.

Harry Hans – some sort of deity with the puck. Hans, in his sophomore year, was a beast on the ice tonight. He could not be stopped, simply. He logged the second most ice time for the Scarecrows (most for a forward) and had the second most shots for his team. All that those shots and all that time allowed Hans to score twice and pitch in two assists for the effort. He is both the first star for the simulation and my personal first star.

FINAL SCORE - STL 7 - HAL 2