Hopslam returned from the Holidays strong, but fell in the final minute of play 4-5 to Gates.
Jeff Philion opened the scoring early in a wild first period that looked like a shoot out. Gates took a 4-2 lead early in the second period, but Scott Coates scored consecutive goals to tie it up early in the third period.
Coates finished with a hatrick, and the team seemed poised to take a tie, but a late penalty by Jeff Price gave Gates a power play with less than five minutes. Gates scored with 31 seconds left in the game to claim the win.
“It was my fault,” said Price.
“I agree,” stated Coates in a show of support.
Forward Bob Brock, who turned in the stat sheet to the General Manager’s office, had 3 assists for the night.