Steve Pouliot scored two goals, including the game-winner as Ashley’s Ruination (2-1) held off Beer Belly Brewing 6-4. Forward Devin Collinridge added a goal and an assist in his return, but noted that he missed some of his line mates.
“We missed Ryan (Oxford) and Matt (Schaefer) out there,” he said. “We’re definitely miss their speed.”
Schaefer has been on the injured reserved list with undisclosed injuries, but has been seen practicing with the team at the Burr Park facility. Oxford has voluntarily moved to Florida, citing “personal” reasons. Several in the media have speculated that he has an as yet unused unlimited pass to Busch Gardens, but that has not been confirmed by sources close to the team.
Goaltender Rusty Barron shook off two goals in the first period, playing solid the rest of the way. “I played terribly,” he said to the press. “Thanks to the guys for bailing me out.”
Despite the assessment, Barron was strong when it counted, turning away several break-away attempts in the last ten minutes of the game until defenseman Brett Vogel was able to ice it dropping in an empty netter with :06 seconds left.
Ruination will face Barron’s old team, the Black Bears, late Tuesday night, where forward Sean McGrath and defenseman Kevin Dillen are set to return after serving suspensions for on-ice altercations.
On an unrelated note, Ruination committed no penalties tonight.