Despite the outcome, I will say that probably the most entertaining moment of the game was Garrett Kennedy and Ron Meyers getting their helmets stuck together on the face off. It was a repeated highlight on the Kiss Cam and at other times throughout the night. Just a classic, I hope that makes it in Ronnies send off video at the end of the season, but I digress.
After the first puck drop, a seemingly defensive battle ensued. Miami wound up out shooting the Nanooks, but a lot of shots came in from the outside. Miami was able to control the play, but the Nanooks d-men really played well in front of Greenham, only allowing a goal that kind of popped up into the air and got put in by Alden Hirschfeld. Solid play by both sides, but Miami really got on their back checking game and just did not let the Nanooks get up the ice.
The Nanooks really got after it in the 2nd, massively outshooting 14-5 during the stanza. Colton Beck notched the first tally for the 'Nooks, unassisted with a great steal and score on Reichard's infamous stick side to tie it at 1-1, but about a minute later, Reilly Smith snuck a wrister just over Greenham's glove. Becker almost got another one too, but just missed wide on an odd man rush. Cody Kunyk had a great steal as well while shorthanded with Andy Taranto but the two just missed the connection.
While the final was 2-1 in Miami's favor, the Nanooks did not go down without a fight. They put pressure on Reichard left and right, and he stood tall. I guess I jumped the gun with my pre-game assertion that Reichard was pretty much a sieve. With about 1:19 left and all of the momentum, head coach Dallas Ferguson pulled Greenham for the 6th skater and sent the crowd on an emotional roller coaster.
A sad night for the Nanooks as they let another game slip away, but they played fairly well at even strength. I'd expect them to attack the net quicker and get a faster start out of the gate. Tomorrows game, same bat time, same bat place.
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