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).

 

Now the (1-0-1) Andrey would face James Friedl “Away” on the Eagle HNIC table. Going into this game James had a 4-2 “Home” record. The opening period would have James

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!!!)

 

Well, Andrey didn’t listen to me. He decided to go head-to-head with Philip on that Munro table. This match turned out to be the highest scoring game so far in ACTHL’s short history. The opening period Philip took a 5-4 lead. Philip increased his lead by two,

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?

 

Going into Saturday’s games, Adam Zawislak was looking to extend his String of shutouts to three games. Newcomer Todd Bouverot from Bergenfield, New Jersey had other plans for the league leader. Having not played in 16 years, Todd hardly showed signs of any rust. Todd clamped down on defense, not allowing Adam to score. The first period ended deadlocked at ZERO. Adam opened the second period with two quick goals, but only to see the lead cut in half after Todd broke the

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!!!”

 

The first period started out looking to be an easy victory, with Adam “The Commish” taking a 3-0 lead. That lead was cut short, after Adam sent a wayward pass behind his own net, hitting the defenseman & goalie, then into the net. The first would end in a 3-1 score. That Steve Smith like mistake seemed to be the end of Adam’s luck for the

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.

 

Jerry Randell finally bounced back with a 2-1 January record. The past couple of months were not friendly to Jerry. Prior to this month, Jerry had a 3-8-0 (wins, loses & OT games won) record. With victories against Rush 9-1 (Home/Coleco) & Todd 5-2 (Home/Coleco), Jerry had an opportunity to go 3-0 in January and have a fourth place tie between himself and James Friedl, but the final game for Jerry yesterday was against…James. From beginning to end, James dominated play, skunking Jerry in the first two period, while scoring six goals. The final was 7-2, James. Jerry moved up to second place in the running for the “Ed

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