LHSHL Game #1

Period Length

Riverview attacked the Land O' Lakes net early and often at the start of tonight's contest, taking the first 5 shots on goal before allowing one. The Ice Sharks would score on their sixth shot, with the goal coming on a nice pass that lead to a slight break, which the Riverview skater was able to fire up and over the goalkeeper, giving them a 1-0 lead just over five minutes into the game. The shots would tile towards the Gators for the rest of the period, though that was largely due to the two penalties that the Ice Sharks would take - one for tripping (or possibly interference) and the other for roughing. Thankfully they were able to kill off both of the penalties, and were able to hold on to the 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

The second period lacked flow, as there were several penalties called during the middle frame. The Gators took a penalty just 76 seconds in, but the Ice Sharks weren't able to take advantage of the extra attacker. With just over eight minutes to play the Riverview squad was called for their third penalty of the game, another tripping call. Unfortunately the Land O' Lakes team was able to tie the game with a one timer from the left side with just 20 seconds left in their power play and a little over six and a half minutes in the period. One minute later the Gators would follow up with back to back penalties of their own, 60 seconds of which put them down to skaters. They managed to kill of the first penalty, but the Ice Sharks finally managed to take advantage of their extra attacker on a wrister from the right circle that found the top corner of the net with just 14 seconds left on the power play and just under three minutes to play in the period, giving them back their one goal lead in the process. Land O' Lakes would take another penalty with just under a minute to play in the period, and Riverview would take advantage for their second power play goal of the period, coming of a shot from the point just five seconds into the power play. The remaining 48.5 seconds would see one Riverview shot, and would pass by with the Ice Sharks holding a 3-1 lead.

Land O' Lakes got off to a fast start in the third period, winning the opening faceoff and coming down the ice wide open before scoring on a shot that snuck under the Riverview goalie's arm just six seconds in. That goal narrowed the Ice Sharks lead to a 3-2 margin. Just over a minute later, the Ice Sharks would regain their two goal lead on a tough angle shot from the right side, making it a 4-2 score. Once again, Land O' Lakes would find themselves on the wrong end of back to back penalty calls, one for roughing and one for elbowing. This time they managed to kill off nearly 90 seconds of time being down two skaters, as the Ice Sharks peppered the Gators goal with shots but weren't able to take advantage of their opportunity. With a little over four and a half minutes to play, the Ice Sharks added to their lead, on a drive that divided two defensemen before the Riverview attacker deked the goalie and fire a shot up and over, giving them a 5-2 lead. For the third time in the game, the Gators would take back to back penalties, both coming with under two minutes remaining. The first call was for boarding, and the second for roughing. With just 9 seconds to play the Ice Sharks scored yet another power play goal, thanks to a cross-ice pass that they were able to fire into the back of the Gators net for a 6-2 margin, which would remain until the final whistle.

One game into the season, and the Riverview Ice Sharks are a third of the way to last season's victory total. Way to go Ice Sharks!