Playoffs Baby - Series 2 Game 1

Game one in the best of three between the Sharks and the Red Devils. Winner moves on to the championship round.

The Devils in Red were serious business, running pre-skate drills before the game. The game started and it was clear why this team was ranked 2nd overall in the standings. Some of the players they had were fast, really really fast. I could not point out one player on their team that looked like they belonged in the lowest tier.

The game started off with the Devils drawing first blood scoring minutes into the period. The Sharks battled hard and managed to pull even to one a piece. The action went back and forth, but Randy the goalie stood tall as he was tested time after time. With the return of Randy the goalie, the dreaded CDC line was broken up, as Chow moved back to play defense, while Dang and I lined with Stu.

With the first period belonging to the Devils, the Sharks tightened up their game and managed to pull ahead scoring two go ahead goals in the second period. Despite falling back two goals, the Devils had players that blazed down the ice. If it wasn't for our defense they could've no doubt pulled even. We squandered a goal to let them back into the game 3-2 going into the third.

Looking to tie the game up, the Devils went all out. With the game on the line, tempers flared, and one of the Devils was knocked down. He would stay down for a while, but managed to get back up and skate to the bench on his own.

On the offensive, Dang, positioned right in his office almost added an insurance marker as he had two swipes at the puck, that somehow managed to stay out. That same play resulted in Dang going down hard, where he ended up pulling something. Down and in obvious pain, one of the Devils' players made a snide remark about Dang faking the injury to run down the clock.

Dang would be helped off the ice, but would be ok, I think (find out tomorrow). With minutes remaining in the third, utilizing their speed, the Devils drove the Sharks back into their zone, and somehow managed to squeeze one by Randy the goalie.

With the Devils pulling close 4-3, they decided to pull their goalie, as they could almost taste the tying goal. The pressure kept coming, while the clock continued to tick ever so slowly, and with a final push the Devils rushed in three on two...... only to come in offside with 3 seconds left. Their last chance taken away by their own blinding speed.

The Sharks win 4-3, with the whole team standing strong against a very strong, very fast team of Red Devils. On our way back to the car, the same player that made the jerkish remark to Dang saw him limping out and apologized. It takes a big man to apologize, especially after a loss.

Next game on Saturday, where the Devils face elimination.