3 OUT OF 4 AIN’T BAD, BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH

          The trip to Virginia went smoothly, and the Wildcats walked into the rink physically and mentally prepared after some PT and chalk talk at the hotel. The Express came into the weekend toting a high powered offense, scoring 23 goals in their first 4 games and a 2-1-1 record.

            The game got off to a fast pace, and the action was end to end. The Wildcats finally broke through at 16:03 of the first when Slava Okshin got a stick on Zack Fischl’s shot from the point. This put the ‘Cats up 1-0, but that would not last long. The Express came right back, and slid one by Vinny Pizzi at 17:30 of the period. Going into the room, the coaching staff felt the team had much more to offer, and Head Coach Frank Barone let the boys know that in between periods. 

            The Wildcats came out with fire in the second period, and the Express were on their heels. But the Wildcats could not find the back of the net. Finally, at 16:24 of the period, captain Zack Birnbaum found the back of the net with a shot from the point on the powerplay. Going into the third, the Wildcats led 2-1.

            Mark Sytsma put the ‘Cats up 3-1 early in the third and that would turn out to be the game winner. Slava Okshin turned in one for the highlight reel to cap the night off, and the Wildcats were headed back to the hotel with 2 road points.

            After an early wake up Sunday, the Wildcats went through their pre-game preparation at the hotel and left for the rink looking to wrap up a nice weekend. They got going early as Slava Okshin continued his great weekend by setting up Ryan Panetta at 5:17 of the first. The game would stay 1-0, until the Express knotted things up at 14:50 of the period. Matt Minieri put the ‘Cats ahead at 19:25 of the first period with a quick shot off a faceoff. The ‘Cats were tiring, and it was obvious from the looks in the room between periods. 

            The hometown team was quick to tie the game at 2, just 2:33 into the 2^nd.   Panetta struck again, on a beautiful feed from Birnbaum and the Wildcats were back on top. Ted Udelsman provided a cushion by sliding one by the Express netminder at 9:58 of the period. The 2 goal lead would not last long, as the Express scored just 23 seconds later to send the teams to the room tied going into the 3^rd. 

            There was a not much offense in a penalty ridden 3^rd period, but the Express managed to tie the score with just under 8 minutes to go in the contest. By the time OT rolled around, it was obvious the ‘Cats fatigue was setting in. After battling for 4 minutes, the Express dominated the ‘Cats for the last minute of the OT period, and finally broke through with just 20 seconds to go.

            It was a nice first weekend on the road, but the boys understood they let a point slip through their hands. Every point counts, and the only thing we can never get back is time. 

           The team returns home this weekend to take on their rival, the Staten Island Metro Moose.