Wednesday April 15, 2009 – Asiaf Arena

The Kings season came to an early end as they fell in OT to the River Rats. Finally matched up against a comparable team, the Kings played a solid two way game, limiting opponents’ scoring chances, but just couldn’t get enough quality shots on net. Also victimized by a couple of funny bounces and deflections, the Kings staked a 2-0 lead but couldn’t hold on. Bermy opened the scoring with an end to end rush, crossing the crease and flipping the puck over the sprawling goalie. Fran made it 2-0, potting a rebound from a shot by Bob at the point. After that the River Rats turned it on and got their breakout going, which really limited the Kings offense. Despite that the defense held the line against some quality chances, and Ed smothered most of the chances he saw. The Rats got a quick score on a broken play that turned into a 2-on-1, and then in the 2nd with Wally in the box, a funny bounce from a shot from the point caromed straight into the low slot where an undefended River Rats player scooped the shot before Ed could get set.

The Kings and Rats battled evenly in the 3rd, trading good scoring chances with no luck for either side. The Rats finally broke through on a rising slapshot from the right point that deflected off Bryan and Ed into the net to send the River Rats on in the playoffs.

In 2008-2009, the Kings posted a respectable 14-9-3 overall record with an impressive +33 goals differential. Ed had a solid 3.26 GAA even including the Digitas blowout, still the lowest in the league. And most importantly, the Kings won the regular season championship. Given the way the playoffs have turned into a tournament for ringers, it’s becoming apparent that this title counts for more than the trophy handed out to the latest squad of anklebenders who recruit friends who play in the B leagues. Good work boys!

The summer season starts early in May. I’ll get the final tally soon but expect to have a check for about $265 at the first game. Watch the website for more info. For those of you who wanted to skate more, there’s a solid high-C/low B level skate every weekend run by Peter Manderino, usually around 1pm at the Simoni Rink in East Cambridge. It’s easy to sign up and pay online, plenty of ice time (he maxes out the teams at 10 a side and no one takes long shifts) and no knuckleheads. Check it out here: No Commitment Hockey. If anyone else has good regular ice times they want to post, add them in the comments.

See you all in a few weeks.

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