Jokers hold on for third straight win

With icy conditions impacting both teams’ rosters, the Jokers of Doom escaped with a 3-2 to win and lead the division at 3-0. Despite Chaos (1-2) having a position player (captain Adam Caron) suit up as a first-time goalie to start the game, the Jokers offense struggled. Nine shots in the first period yielded no goals. The Chaos defense stood strong, blocking shots and limiting second chances.
Early in the second period, defenseman Rich Orsini won a battle to keep the ball in the offensive zone that Kenny Herren scooped up and pushed toward the net. Center Frank Melillo was waiting for the pass and found an opening to give the Jokers a 1-0 lead.

Chaos would substitute a new, more experienced netminder into the game and quickly tie the score later in the period. The Jokers would continue to apply pressure though. Orsini again held the zone, and this time it was Melillo assisting on Herren’s division-leading fourth goal of the season to put the Jokers back in front.

Late in the third period, Kevin LaPrade fired a wrister passed the goalie to put the Jokers ahead by two. Chaos though, wouldn’t go quietly and pulled their goalie in favor of an extra attacker with 91 seconds to play. Players from both teams clogged the front of the net. Chaos defenseman Doug Stewart floated a shot high over the traffic which somehow found its way behind goalie Andy Pettola with only 15 seconds on the clock. The comeback would fall just short though as LaPrade won the ensuing faceoff and the Jokers defense killed the final seconds.

Notes: The team was without Josh Berrelli for the second time in three games. The Jokers went 0-2 on the power play and are still without a PPG on the season. Pettola played great, stopping 27 of 29 shots. Next game isn’t until January 6 vs. Tomahawks