ANN ARBOR– Hopslam finally put one in the win column, thanks in part by great goal-tending from Jeff Phillion and timely scoring from the “Crazy Eights” as they have been dubbed by the media: No. 8 Bob Brock (goal), No. 85 Gary Witt (goal, assist), No. 84 Andrew Thompson (2 assists), and No. 82 Luke Bell (goal).
Hopslam’s calling cards: Brock, Thompson, Witt, and Bell
The Crazy Eights jumped out early, scoring two goals within the first four minutes of the game. Bell, hauled down on a break-away chance, made it a 3-0 lead with a penalty shot goal followed by a celebratory swan dive in the corner of the rink.
“You shoulda made snow angels,” suggested defenseman Nyle Pfeiffer.
Phillion played two periods of shut-out hockey, giving up only one goal early in the third off a rebound. However, he shrugged it off and continued his solid play between the pipes, giving Hopslam the assurance it needed to win the game.
“He’s absolutely brimming with confidence,” said GM Mark Woods. “Put him in any league against any team, and he’s going to shut you down.”