Greece Athena/Odyssey 8, Webster Schroeder 3 (Lakeshore)

D&C Staff Reports 11/19/08
Senior right wing Greg Ryan led the Thunder (1-0) with two goals and three assists. Freshman left wing Matt Lane added two goals and two assists.
Sophomore center Riley Bourbonnais contributed two goals also.

Wes Vyverberg Reports
Wed Nov 19th Game Report

Good to be back in the saddle (at the keyboard) and away we go... The Webster Schroeder Warriors were shootin' at the net with heartache Wednesday night at the 'shore, as they got thumped 8-3 by the Greece Athena/Odyssey Thunder. It was a rough start for both teams giving up a goal apiece during the opening minute of the game, but by the end of contest Thunder proved they were more than able to survive the warrior, as they skated with the swagger of a champion. Coach Webb was pleased with the solid start and happy to see the fire-power he knew he had brought to bear in the Thunder home opener. Speaking of power, how about the voice of Amanda Sherry leading off the evening with our national anthem!

On with the game. Any Rush fans out there? First goal was the beginning of the "21-12" tour as Matt Lane took the puck behind the warrior net, slid it out front to Greg Ryan and then Ryan went to work, getting his own rebound and eventually putting it away after several attempts, all in the first 15 seconds of the game. While shaking off the rust in our own end, Webster took advantage 30 seconds later to tie the game. Things settled down after the first period of the season jitters as Thunder carefully and methodically went to work. The next track, laid down at 4:56 was from the "Fly by Night" studio album as Lane hit Ryan with a pass in the neutral zone and then Ryan flew into the warrior end, ringing one off the warrior netminder's melon that would eventually trickle in on its own to make it 2-1 Thunder. Less than a minute later Jeffrey Stenglein threw one on net and Riley Bourbonnais picked the webster goalie's pocket for the goal. Brandon Cheeseman picked up the second helper on the third thunder tally (say that 3 times fast). With only 14 seconds remaining in the first frame, Stenglein got his own after picking off a pass, firing it on net, and crashing for the rebound, 4-1 Thunder. Cheese got the helper once again for his second point on the night.

After a bit of give and take, midway through the second period Bourbonnais took a feed from Eric Gunderson, that originated with a clear by Parker Bonis, and Rilez walked around several Webster pylons before lifting a sweet backhander over the warrior goalie's shoulder at close range, tucking it away top shelf, 5-1 Thunder. It's not everyday that your keeper gets credit for an assist so kudos to Bonis for logging his first varsity point. But the warriors would not take it lying down. Shortly thereafter they converted a pass to the slot to edge closer at 5-2. Then came the Doan Collision of the game - it was an unsuspecting Webster forward meeting the back of Gunda's forearm coming through center ice. A simple matter of height ratios was to blame as Gunda went to the box for the elbow. Given Gunda was incarcerated in the sin bin and unable to receive his award Ben McCubbin stepped in as alternate with a big hit of his own that did not result in a penalty. Webster cached on the PP with 2:47 to go to draw near at 5-3.

Three and a half minutes this side of the ice cut, Geddy Lee (Pat Sofia) collaborated with Alex Lifeson (Ryan) and Neal Peart (Lane) in the production of Thunder's 6th goal of the evening. Sofia dug it out of the corner got it to Ryan who centered it to Lane alone in the slot for the money shot, 6-3 Thunder. Fast forward to the 4 minute mark, where Lane would cash his second goal of the evening when his pass deflected off a warrior skate and into the net, 7-3 Thunder. Jordan Grills and Greg Ryan each logged an assist on the first gift of the season. And with a minute to go Gunda capped things off with a wrister from the slot, fed by Ryan and Sofia, for the 8-3 final.

Thunder has clearly started off their season on the right foot with this convincing win and a 1-0 record. There were 9 different point getters and 21 points recorded in total, e.g. 11 for the first line, 6 for the second line, and 4 from the back end, including the keeper. Lakeshore Snack Shop first star of the game honors go out to Greg Ryan who turned in a fine performance with 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points - they call him the "Working Man". Second star of the game goes to Matt Lane with 2G/2A for 4PTS - they call him VISA as he was everywhere he needed to be. Third star goes to Jordan Grills for dropping back and helping out with the heavy lifting on D while also logging an assist.

Don't miss the next game - 1pm @ Lakeshore on Saturday, Nov 22nd - where Thunder will face the "little" Irish from AQ. Anyone notice the AQ boys scouting our game in the stands Wednesday night? Or maybe they were just there to sample Bruce's latest Snack Shop Special - "Taco in a bag".