Happy Spring! Jokers Win Opener in OT, 3-2

The Jokers of Doom finally got the spring season underway  versus Chaos after game 1 of the new season was replaced with game 3 of the finals due to weather. As per the norm, the Jokers hate having leads early in games, so they gave up a goal after a Jokers turnover in their offensive zone and a quick pass and slap-shot goal by Lou Coleman. The period would end with no penalties and the Jokers out shot 11-6.

In the second just 1:27 into the period Ken Herren would intercept a pass attempt between the circles and fire home a goal stick side low to make it 1-1. A couple of minutes later Garrett Salkins would scoop up a loose ball, move into the offensive zone a zip a wrist shot home from the top of the circle. This period would end with 1 penalty for Chaos and the Jokers up in shots, 9-7.

The 3rd period would feature some back and forth action from both teams but the better chances coming from Chaos as Jokers backstop Matt Dutily continued to impress with many key saves. However with only 29 seconds left in the period a confusing off sides call and touch up would cause the ball to be unattended at mid-dek where a Chaos player took a long slap-shot that found it’s way past Dutily and tie the game at 2-2. The 3rd period would end with 1 Jokers penalty and a 10-7 shot disadvantage.

In the overtime with just 1 minute left Josh Berrelli would take what appeared to be a harmless wrist shot from the blue line but somehow it found it’s way through the goaltender and give the Jokers an improbably 3-2 win to open the spring season.

Notes: Jokers were outshot overall 32-24… now 8-1 in last 9 games dating back to last season… Tyler Salkins made his season debut joining dad Jim and brother Garrett on the team… Tomahawks (1-1) will be the opponent for game 2 on April 3.