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Game 1: "Tally-Ho! Tallo Tallies Two"
October 21, Campbell reporting
Phantoms 2, Meatwads 1

DUPAGE, IL - The Phantoms were eager to kick off their sixth season of HNA hockey at the Center Ice of DuPage, icing what is unquestionably their best team to date. While no disrespect to former players is intended, there are no weak links on this roster, as everyone brings something to the table and understands their role within the team.

Starting with the man between the pipes, AJ “My Daughter’s First Word was ‘Ovechkin'” Brandt. Since his stellar performance in the playoffs last season, as well as in Toronto, AJ has clearly been on his “A” game, while giving the Phantoms a chance to win every night. His play to start the season would be no different, turning aside all but one of the 17 shots that the Meatwads could muster up.

The Phantoms bolstered their defense to start the season, picking up HNA St. Louis transfer Bill “New Helmet/Really REALLY Old Cage” Heyse. They also brought in Matt “Green Peace/Green Stick” Garrett, who jumped up a couple levels from the Piranhas to be with the Phantoms in Tier B. Both players bring a solid two-way game, combined with solid positional play. Joining Heyse and Garrett is a familiar face to the Phantoms lineup: Keith “All Hail” Hales. Hales played with the team during the 2006-07 season, but sat out last season due to a “contract dispute”. He will likely split time at defense and forward this season. Returning defensemen from the championship team last year will be Scott “Six Socks” Battle, Ron “300 Yard Drive” Axe, and Jeremy “Take the Edge Off, Literally” Campbell.

Once again, the offense is a well balanced attack, with the familiar faces of last season giving the Phantoms three lines of scoring potential. The first line produced all of the  scoring for the Phantoms in game one. The line consists of Josh “Jari Kurri” Tallo, Ross “Playoff Beards Start at Game One” Gerbasi, and Greg “I Came Up with this Nickname Idea First” Rolnick.  Tallo notched the first goal of the game while shorthanded, after a clearing attempt by Axe was picked up in the neutral zone by Gerbasi, who then made a nice feed to Tallo in the Meatwads zone. Tallo was able to work his way to the net and roof a nice shot when the ‘Wads goalie went down.

The second goal for the first line came in the third period and would eventually turn out to be the game winner. With the score tied at 1-1, Tallo was able to secure the puck and bring it down the left-wing boards. As Gerbasi crashed the net, Tallo fired a low shot that hit the skate of a ‘Wads defenseman and deflected in. Even though he didn’t appear on the scoresheet, the play was made possible by Gerbasi driving the net hard and causing havoc, allowing the puck to deflect in.

The rest of the offense played great on both ends of the ice. One spectacular play that deserves special mention happened in the first period, with the game still at 0-0. Bo “Head Kicker” Coonce had to cover the left point due to a pinching defenseman when the ‘Wads tried to spring their right winger on a break away. The pass just rolled past the ‘Wads winger and halfway into the Phantoms zone. Brandt was caught in between playing the loose puck right then, or facing a shot. He chose to race the ‘Wads forward to the puck, and just as he got there, the ‘Wads forward reached out and popped the puck past Brandt towards the empty net.  Coonce, who was chasing the on-rushing ‘Wad, was able to catch him and tie up the player well enough to thwart a scoring chance and not take a penalty doing so. If not for that play, the score would have been 1-0 Meatwads and the whole game would have taken on a whole new complexion.

Overall, great penalty killing, led by a solid goalie, was the difference in this game. It can’t always be counted on, however, and that is something the Phantoms will have to focus on improving in future games. Eight penalties totaling 16 minutes of a 45-minute contest, means that a little over a full period was spent on the kill. Roughing penalties are one thing, and acceptable at the right times, but the holdings, interference, and most of all, bench minors, will eat any team alive over the course of a season.

GAME NOTES:  The Phantoms have 18 skaters on their active roster to start the season, and will likely have a full bench for most of their games. Missing from the lineup tonight were Hales, Campbell, John “Cully” Cullis, Dan “PGA” Phillips, and Tedd “Totally Excellent!” Vanadilok. Still the Phantoms were able to roll three lines of offense and two sets of defense, so fatigue should not be a problem if everyone focuses on proper shift times. Forty-five seconds, or once hard up and once hard back, then get off. That’s what she said.

BO KNOWS SAVING HIS GOALIE:
Sort of like what Bo Coonce did to save a goal, but pretend a Meatwads player is between he and
AJ Brandt. We were not able to get the 'Wads player's permission to use his likeness in the
photo, so he was airbrushed out. But apparently we were able to get permission to use the
likenesses of the Calgary Flames, NHL, and FSN. Excellent play, Bo!