01/18/03
Saturday
brought in an artic breeze, but in actuality it was a Siberia air mass, and its
name is Andrey Krukov. Hailing from Moscow, Russia, Andrey now living in
Westfield, New Jersey, Andrey “Hammered” his opponents yesterday.
One
of the first matches of the day was the newcomer against Chris Johnston (1-0-1 /
1-win, 0-losses & 1-OT win). Andrey choose the ’84 Coleco Stanley Cup
table to play his first ACTHL game on. After the first period, it was knocked at
3-3. A fierce second period had Andrey “The Hammer” held Chris to one goal,
while scoring two too take a 5-4 lead heading into the three period. Chris’s
defensive skills held “The Hammer” scoreless in the three period. In fact,
this was the only period that Andrey’s offensive was held in check. Chris tied
the game up at 5-5, and held on to force overtime. The skilled Russian wasted no
time netting the OT winner, to claim his first ACTHL victory. Chris would go on
to play three more games that evening, only to loss all four games; 4-8 Philip
(Away/Munro), 4-11 Adam (Munro/Home) & to his son Rush 7-9 (Munro/Away).
leading
3-2. The second period tallied a total of 6 goals, both players mounting three a
piece on the scoreboard. Beginning the third, Andrey seized two quick goals to
go in front 7-6. “The Hammer” would add one more goal & shutdown
James’s offensive, to win his second straight ACTHL game 8-6.
Despite
the loss to Andrey, James went 2-1 on the night. Triumph’s came over Jerry 7-2
(Away/Coleco) and Rush 14-5 (Home/Eagle). James also posted a season high 27
goals in three games, raising his goals per game average from a 5.4 to a 6.3,
giving him 76 on the season and he currently remains in second for the “Mike
Bossy” award.
The
true marquee event of the evening was the contest between Andrey and Philip
Valensi (8-4). Andrey don’t bring a table, so for his “Home” game, he
choose Philip’s Bobby Hull Munro table. Earlier in the week, I sent Andrey an
e-mail, saying that if he hadn’t had a game to bring on Saturday, that a
Coleco table would be a good choice to play Philip on. Of course, it would help
me move up in the standing if Philip were to lose (Love You, Philip!!!)
with
the score 9-7 after two periods. Defense was not a key factor here, as the two
added a total of 9 goals in the three period. Andrey came back from a 7-9
deficit, to win over a surprised Philip and onlookers 13-12. Great Game!!!!
Philip
walked away that evening still with a share of first place, the first player in
ACTHL history to surpass 100 goals in a season (115 in 12 games so far). The
100th goal came in Philip’s 11 game of the season. Along with the goals came
the victories, 8-4 over Chris (Home/Munro) & a 14-5 thrashing of fellow
Munro tabler Craig Sierak (Home/Munro).
So,
the Russian came, he saw, he conquered. 3-0-1 for the newcomer. I’m sure if
Andrey continues to show up for the final three monthly league meetings, he
could fight for the top spot in the ACTHL. Can you say 12-0-1?
shutout
streak. The second period ended with one more Adam “The Commish” Zawislak
goal, score 3-1. Todd fought back, but in the end Adam took the “W”, 5-3.
Todd,
although not winning a game, did show a lot. He held his opponents to only 14
goals (4.66); this places him in the running for the “Ed Giacomin” award for
best goals against average.
Adam
then had a “Road” game against Chris Johnston (1-4-1). Chris played on his
newly acquired Bobby Orr/Munro table (Thanks Philip!!!). To Adam’s surprise,
he won rather easily 11-4. Chris had a very disappointing night, playing four
games & losing all four, 5-6 to Andrey (Away/Coleco), 4-8 to Philip
(Away/Munro) & to his son Rush 7-9 (Away/Munro). The road can be a very
bumpy one.
Now,
with a chance to go 3-0 in the month of January, Adam would have to beat Craig
“Matts” Sierak in a “Home” game…”No Problem”…”Wrong!!!”
night.
Craig would go on to score 3 in the second and 2 in the final period for the 6-3
win. The two final periods, Craig’s defense stood tall, not allowing a goal,
even though Adam dominated time of possession in the final two periods. All and
all, Adam went 2-1, maintains a share of the top spot in the ACTHL. Despite
allowing 19 goals in three games, he remains the leading contender for the “Ed
Giacomin” award, with a 3.81 average.
Craig
“Matts” Sierak was this month’s “Road Warrior”. Craig played all three
games on the road, with two wins & one loss; he increased his “Road”
record to 4-1. The 2-1 January record helped Craig stay 3 points behind ACTHL
leaders Adam Zawislak & Philip Valensi.
Giacomin”
award, after only allowing 10 goals in the three games played. Jerry’s GAA is
now 3.85 (Coleco players make better defensive players).
Last,
but not least, Rush Miller had a 1-2 day. The one important conquest was for the
“REAL” home bragging rights. Rush beat his Pop 9-7 on the newly acquired
Bobby Orr Munro table. With the win, Rush leap frogs over his dad into 6th
place in the ACTHL standing. Question is, now that Rush has both a Coleco &
a Munro table, which one will he favor?
Thank
you all for coming down yesterday. Every month it seems that my list of friends
continues too grow.
Players |
1 |
2 |
3 |
OT |
Final |
Rush |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
1 |
Jerry |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
9 |
Players | 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | Final |
Todd | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
Jerry | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
Players |
1 |
2 |
3 |
OT |
Final |
James |
3 |
3 |
1 |
|
7 |
Jerry |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
2 |
Players |
1 |
2 |
3 |
OT |
Final |
Craig |
1 |
3 |
2 |
|
6 |
Adam |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
3 |
Players |
1 |
2 |
3 |
OT |
Final |
Todd |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
3 |
Adam |
0 |
3 |
2 |
|
5 |
Players |
1 |
2 |
3 |
OT |
Final |
Adam |
3 |
6 |
2 |
|
11 |
Chris |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
4 |
Players |
1 |
2 |
3 |
OT |
Final |
Andrey |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
8 |
James |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
6 |
Players |
1 |
2 |
3 |
OT |
Final |
Philip |
5 |
4 |
3 |
|
12 |
Andrey |
4 |
3 |
6 |
|
13 |
Players |
1 |
2 |
3 |
OT |
Final |
Chris |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
Andrey |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
Players |
1 |
2 |
3 |
OT |
Final |
Craig |
4 |
0 |
1 |
|
5 |
Philip |
3 |
6 |
5 |
|
14 |
Players |
1 |
2 |
3 |
OT |
Final |
Chris |
3 |
0 |
1 |
|
4 |
Philip |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
8 |
Players |
1 |
2 |
3 |
OT |
Final |
Rush |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
5 |
James |
5 |
3 |
6 |
|
14 |
Players |
1 |
2 |
3 |
OT |
Final |
Craig |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
4 |
Todd |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
2 |
Players |
1 |
2 |
3 |
OT |
Final |
Chris |
2 |
4 |
1 |
|
7 |
Rush |
1 |
5 |
3 |
|
9 |