REG hands HCCM a 4-0 shutout

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YTRUNDMC

Thank God there’s a roof. And that’s coming from a guy who thought the original Big Mine Ice rink was one of the most spectacular sheets in the land.
But what do I know.
Alls I know is that without that roof there would have been a lot of cancelled hockey games this past week. Yeah, I know, should have done this, should have done that, blah, blah, blah.
Well, they did what they did and I gotta admit, it kind of kicks ass. At least they did something. Truth is, there are a lot of people out there with wonderful ideas about what could have been done and what should have been done and had we listened to them, there would no roof, a lot of cancelled hockey games and people still saying… should have and would have.
Speaking of hockey games REG Inc. faced High Country Capital Management (HCCM) Thursday night in some hotly contested town league action. And after watching REG in action, I find it hard to believe they’re not sitting on top of the league standings.
They opened the first period at full throttle with questionable shooting and outstanding goaltending by Shawn Harrington about the only things holding REG back.
They broke the seal in the fourth minute of the first period when Steve Shea found Michael Blunck open and Blunck stuffed it past Harrington for a 1-0 REG lead.
Dakota Wiggins used his speed on skates to exploit the HCCM defense on several occasions but kept shooting the puck into the chest of Harrington. HCCM continued to chase REG around the rink for the remainder of the first period but were in place defensively to shut down open looks on net and hold REG to one goal all period.
HCCM underwent a severe paradigm shift between periods and opened the second period with a new game plan. Rather than wait and allow REG to work the puck through neutral ice and into their offense easily, HCCM applied pressure on REG early and broke up numerous plays with heavy forechecking. The effort opened up a couple early chances for HCCM to tie the game but REG goaltender Brad Bodell came through with several big saves, including a blind kick save and a glove save to rob Frank Konsella of the upper corner.
Harrington provided equally spectacular saves in net to deny REG several chances and the game was wide open as both teams traded off rushes on net. HCCM’s pace ultimately took its toll on the team as they started to wear down as the second period progressed. The early pressure was huge but they failed to capitalize and REG made them pay, setting up shop in front of HCCM’s net for the final minute of the period and eventually scoring as Colby Deer found Blunck open in the high slot and Blunck netted his second goal of the game for a 2-0 REG lead.
HCCM continued to apply pressure on the puck with poke checks and stick swats breaking up REG’s rhythm but fatigue set in again as the period continued. Kris Bruun snuck in off the blue line to take a pass from Wiggins and score for a 3-0 REG lead and the two connected again with a minute left to finish off HCCM 4-0.