Official Game Summary

Glastonbury, CT Aug 13, 2009. ZRink - Killingworth Guppies Summer 2009 season.

8/13/09 - The Guppies took a big step forward Thursday night in their push to reach the Summer 2009 playoffs. The Fish were taking on the 2nd Place House Brothers Team, which had beaten the Gupps fairly easily earlier in the season. The two teams played solid defensive to start the game, until Rob Murphy (1-3-4) finally broke the seal at the twelve minute mark of the First Half.  Then the shootout was on! House Brothers (HB) scored just over two minutes later to tie it at one, only to be answered by Keith Millen's (1-0-1) 17th goal of the season, which regained the Guppies lead. HB would tie the game again moments later but, Dan Pequita (1-1-2) answered for the Guppies yet again. Up 3-2 the Guppies had placed themselves in a good position however, as every Guppies fan knows, no lead is ever safe! House Brother would score two quick goals late in the Half to take the 4-3 lead.

The Second Half started much like the First. Both teams went into a defensive style of play and relied on their goaltenders to carry the load. Midway through the Second Half  HB scored to open up the first two goal lead of the game. It was right after that that Tim Poulin (4-0-4)went to work. Poulin scored to make it a one goal game with just over  8 minutes remaining. Brian Kelly (1-3-4) scored minutes later to tie the game at Five. HB turned up the pressure and had several great opportunities on the Guppies's netminder Antonio Solvia. Antonio made two huge Glove saves late in the Second Half to keep the Fish's chances alive. Poulin would give the Guppies the lead after catching a pass from Murphy. House Brother's needed this game as much as the Guppies and they answered to tie the game at Six. Poulin wasn't done as he scored his third of the night with less than two minutes remaining to give the Gupps the lead yet again. HB took a time out and regrouped. They would pulled their goalie and were looking for a lucky bounce, which they got! A point shot that was going wide of the Guppie's net hit the shaft HB's C. James stick and into the Guppies net. Tied at Seven, things looked to be heading to OT. However, the Guppies luck got worse as Millen was called for high sticking with just :41 seconds remaining. While Murphy was happy to see Millen pickup the 30-Pack responsibility, the Guppies had to question the turn of their luck.

In OT Murph, Poulin, and Kelly looked to kill what remained of Millen's penalty. Despite being shorthanded the Guppies had several scoring opportunities. House Brothers never seemed to get the Power Play set up in the Guppies zone. With less then :10seconds remaining on Millen's call, Kelly sent a cross rink pass from the Gupps zone to a streaking Tim Poulin. T Po skated into the HB zone on the breakaway and buried the game winner! Like there's any question when it's on T Po's stick?

The Guppies still have some work to do next week when they face off against the Avalanche. A win would guarantee the Fish a playoff bid. A loss and the Guppies need some help! Game time is 8pm and limited tickets are available.

SIDE NOTES:

- Brian Mulcahy and Dave Armenia were healthy scratches

- The Guppies strike Gold yet again in net. The Fish were left scrambling for a goalie on Thursday morning only to have the ZRink Staff recommend Antonio Saliva. Antonio stood on his head and was key to the Guppies victory.

- Ring it Up!! The Guppies were ringing post Thursday night. The Fish rang the bell FIVE times. You couldn't blame fans running to the snack bar thinking it was dinner time.

-"Suns Out Guns Out" or the "Blair Factor"? The Guppies have not lost since the arrival of both Murph's new shirt and Blair's attendance to games. However, both will be out next week.....Sorry Guppies Nation!

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