Entering Rough Waters

The Pearl River Pirates completed the second leg of their journey later that evening. In a game played at the Herb Brooks Arena that had hosted the 1980 Olympics, our stalwarts faced the West Seneca Wings. The Wings had tied the Bethlehem Bears earlier in the day so it was critically important for West Seneca to avoid a defeat by the lads from Rockland County. Trailing 1-0 after the first period as a result of a defensive zone clearing lapse, the birthday boy, Ronan James, drew the Bucs even with a beautiful snap shot at the seven minute mark of the second period. Four minutes into the third period Dillon Krok 'rocked' as he connected from 20 feet out off a beautiful feed from Dylan McCavitt and crisp passing from CJ Greco in the neutral zone against net minder Jurso. Relentless forechecking efforts by the Welch, James, Javier line and the trio of Myers, Taskolas and Ocasal turned the tide. Coughlin kept the Bucs in the game with fine net minding, minimizing rebound opportunities. The tandems of Liam McCormack and Brian Quinn along with Sean White and Ryan McLinskey were near impenetrable after the first period. Only an outstanding mid ice rush by West Seneca winger Uhteg at the nine minute mark of the third period enabled the lads from western New York to tie the game at 2-2. As the Pirate Fan base left the building the 'hooter' was heard to say, "Ronan, you blew that puck by both those goalies today easier than you blew out your birthday candles." Then Dillon Krok 'rocked' the old man with "Pop Tom, do you think my shot is faster than you were in eating that slice of birthday cake?" To wit the grumpy grandpa replied, "Hey, Pup, I had four slices of pizza, how about you getting yourself 4 goals in the tournament!"