Ashley’s Hopslam (7-8-2) mounted a furious third period comeback, but fell short in closing minute to finish 3-5 against the Depot Town Stags (9-4-4) Tuesday night in a game featuring 28 total penalty minutes.
“I have a pretty nasty bump and bruise,” said Jim Socha after receiving a stick to the back following an altercation with Stag Scott Mitchell, who received a game misconduct. “I probably shouldn’t have bumped him in the first place but you can only take so much cross checking in front of the net.”
“What a bunch of dip (bleeps),” an unnamed Hopslam player noted.
The Stags jumped out to a 4-0 lead by the end of the first period, with 2 goals and an assist from #8 Joey Gomolak. Hopslam continued to fight, finally getting on the scoreboard early in the third with Gary Witt’s sixth goal of the season. Mike Leighton (10) scored a few minutes later to cut the lead in half. Scott Coates (4) cut the lead to one with just over a minute left.
Unfortunately, Hopslam was unable to mount an effective rush, and the Stags dropped in an empty netter to end the game.
The team was visibly upset by the events. Grumbling over players’ work ethic was overheard in the locker room. Defenseman Brittany Szczepanik led the charge, urging players to work harder for the last few games.
“If not, no worries–I’ll just shake your beer when you aren’t looking,” she threatened.