Mitty 13 Franchise Hockey 6,
Bandits 7 Franchise Hockey 5
In the first game, Franchise Hockey took an early 1-0 lead, as Matt King scored against five skaters. After Mitty answered, King scored twice more with help from Robby Merk and Sheraj Ragoobeer.
Later, Merk would score his first of two goals on the day. The celebration ended with King and Merk colliding and falling. Moments later, Ragoobeer scored his first of the season on a long wristshot. King scored the Franchise's final goal against Mitty, and his fourth of the game, on a breakaway. He slapped it home, top-shelf.
David McGrouther, finally making his return to league play, struggled in the first game. McGrouther allowed thirteen goals and was clearly battling with his equipment.
After a two hour break, Franchise Hockey skated back out for its consolation game against the Bandits. King got the offense flowing early, scoring on a beautiful backhand deke off a brilliant feed from Ragoobeer. A replacement player, used exclusively for the second game, fed Merk for his second of the day. The goal came in response to a blatant cheapshot that resulted in a four-minute powerplay. Then the replacment player took advantage of feeds from Merk and Ragoobeer to score three more times.
The Franchise was in the game to the end because of a huge defensive stand. Playing in what was almost certainly his last game, Kit McCavitt was a force on defense, as was rookie Chris Cornelius. Cornelius' game against the Bandits was his strongest showing of the year.
McGrouther played a much-improved game in net. He allowed a season-low seven goals and stemmied the Bandits.
Box Score:
1st Period:
King 11 (Merk)
King 12 (Merk, Ragoobeer)
2nd Period:
King 13 (Merk, Ragoobeer)
3rd Period:
Merk 4 (King, Ragoobeer)
Ragoobeer 1 (Merk, King)
King 14
Goaltending:
McGrouther 0-4 (13 GA)
******
1st Period:
King 15 (Ragoobeer)
2nd Period:
Merk 5 (Replacement, Ragoobeer)
Replacement (Merk)
3rd Period:
Replacement (Merk, Ragoobeer)
Replacement (Merk)
Goaltending:
McGrouther 0-5 (7 GA)