Dirty Dogs 14 vs. Likity Split 7
First win of the series for the Dirty Dogs!
Friday, May 9, 2003

And on their fifth attempt, the Dirty Dogs finally nail down a victory for their first of the series! And oh what a strange victory it was. Sub goalie Eric "I'm rusty, but I intend to play better than my last start... or maybe not" Lowe started the game for Likity Split, but quickly became the hapless victim of a determined attack and gets ventilated for a quick 10-0 deficit. 10-0. 10-0?! Yes, 10-0. Bear witness to a bizarre night of MDHL action to see that type of a total team collapse on the part of Likity Split. Not a great welcome for an otherwise stellar rookie debut by sub drop-in Derek "please don't tell my friends about being on a -10 defensive corps" Lowe. And by the MDHL "goalie mercy rule" protocol, captain Ron "okay, we spotted you 10, now we bring out our A game" Pong invokes the goalie swap only about 15 minutes into the game. With new life (or at least a new goaltender) Team Likity Split were determined to make a comeback, and why not, based on their past comeback wins this season?

Alas, the Dirty Dogs kept their composure and determination with backchecking not seen since the Wild smothered them Canucks this past week, especially in light of the Bowman-like line juggling on the other side. Split's killer line of Ma-Archibald-Chang didn't have their way this time as back on the blueline, Dogs' sub Ian "Stan's in NY and called out the big guns boys!" Chang teamed up nicely with stalwart defender Tom "okay, I'm officially a converted blueliner now" Ng to preserve the lead. Dogs' RW Allen "ho hum, another four goal game in my belt" Leung paces the offense, while versatile C/D Tom "I so utility you can just call me the toolman" Jong turns in a nifty job at both center and defense throughout the game.

In light of the so-called "loss", Likity Split's second-half goalie Mike "I'm gettin shafted in the official record books, aren't I" Smith turns in a solid performance with many a scintillating save, including turning away Dogs' blue chipper, Sean "call me snake bit" Oye on more than one occasion.

MDHL 3 Stars:

3. Tyson Carvell... great plays and an offensive force for the 'Dogs.
2. Tom Jong... playmaker/defender/speed skater, and an accomplished father to boot.
1. Mike Smith... officially the "losing" goalie, but unofficially, a Vezina contender tonight.