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Game 15: Execute Order 66

<center>RAIDERS (4) VS. WHALERS (2)</center>

<center>
A fight breaks out between four rookies and two vets</center>

<center>STORY OF THE GAME:</center>

I know why you’re here, I know why you’re reading this. The fight. By god, what an exchange. This was a dirty situation where (Tide Sportz! would come in handy): right after the face off (where some not-so-kind words were exchanged), a fight between rookie rivals and two vets started. Now we don’t have any snippets of game audio – we wouldn’t exactly share them with you even if we did, because there were some words that were just un-airable - all we do know is that Jean-Luc Reflieux (HAL) said something unimaginable to set off almost everyone on the ice and got himself kicked off of it. Ross (VAN) took on Banning (HAL), which came to a draw, Kilgore (VAN) fought Rosston (HAL), and Reflieux (HAL) V. Owen (VAN) happened (winners are highlighted). Also of note, although they didn’t fight, Farris (VAN), Herzog (HAL), and Biznette (VAN) all got taken down for some penalty time.

When most of your second lines and second pairings make base camp in the penalty box, you’ve gotta shift around the lines a bit. In a thrilling display of “time sharing”, both Vancouver and Halifax’s fourth line got more than three times their average desired playing time, which set the stage for a, well, differently sort of game. Things didn’t seem as fast paced throughout, though the game was definitely close.

But on to the meat and potatoes of the night.

The first period was all Vancouver. Although they started a majority of their faceoffs in their zone, they were able to drive down the Halifax zone and score. It was Sanders from Holiday and Conway from Ramirez who would open scoring for Vancouver. However it was shortlived as they never scored again this game.

The second period showed more penalties (upping the game’s total), but with no powerplay success from either end. However, Hunter, Johnson, and MVP were able to score for the Raiders putting them ahead 3-2 by the end of the period.

The third period was so heavily defensive and, though the Whalers tried, Vancouver were not able to answer the possession time nor the shots from the Raiders (Whalers were outshot 27 to 20). Herzog dumped a puck into the empty Whaler net to seal the game for its final score – Halifax 4, Vancouver 2.


<center>STAT BREAKDOWN:</center>

Tonight saw some oddities. These usually lightly penalized teams combined together to earn 66 penalty minutes (the highest of the season for a game), 37 for Halifax and 29 for Vancouver. It was also the first line brawl of the 29th SMJHL season.

Faceoffs also saw some interesting numbers. Although Vancouver started darn near all their faceoffs in their own zone, they were able to win 49 of the 77 draws tonight. Vets Conway and Kubrak lead the way for Vancouver winning 65% and 68% of draws for their teams, respectively. Although it lead to increased possession time, Halifax managed to rule the night and the game.

<center>THREE STARS</center>
THIRD STAR: Montel Vontavious Porter. MVP was a star tonight. Not only did he score the game’s winner, but he also primarily assisted on the empty net goal by Herzog. He also was third on the team for minutes played, and was smart enough to not jump onto the ice for the great brawl.

SECOND STAR: Victor Lidstrom. Although Lidstrom didn’t actually rack up any points on the night, he was a +3 (two higher than MVP, who scored two points alone), seeing most of the goals from his team. He was also an integral part to Halfiax’s defense as he registered a team-high 2 blocked shots and funneled all the easy ones to Raider goalie, Hocolate.

FIRST STAR: Charlie Conway. A stellar performance from veteran center. He was strong on the draw, winning most of the defensive zone faceoffs. He was strong on the puck, shooting 6 times and scoring half of his team’s goals. And Conway was a physical force as well, we watched his hit total climb by 4 tonight. It’s leaders like that that keep losing teams in games. For that, he’s the first star.