HITMEN ON THE EDGE PLAY SINKS STEELERS

The Toronto Hitmen came into the game against the Steelers in 2nd place after a solid 3-0-0-1 start to the season. The Steelers were without No. 1 goalie, Nick Richard who was vacationing down south, resting a groin pull - sources say the injury occurred in the Thirsty Penguin after the Steelers last game. The team was also without Don McCartney who was busy wining and dining US investment banking execs, and also without Mark Serdan who was suiting up in a Leaf uniform (in the stands at the ACC) and Chayim Rubin who forgot to tell the coach or GM that he was in Jersey…nice (a team fine is being seriously considered).

The game started the way it ended with the Hitmen, particularly one awfully annoying Hitman named Carl (#33), running the goalie, throwing elbows, slew footing guys, and doing just about everything to throw the Steelers off their game and it worked. Carl's first shift consisted of an elbow to the head of Durigon and a charge on Steeler back up goalie, Pete MacPhederan, at which point Carl's head met Durigon's fist and Carl went down like he was shot…and Durigon sat in the box for roughing. A number of such instances resulted in the Steelers being caught retaliating while the Hitmen were just playing 'on the edge' as described by game referee, Darcy (what a dork!).

The Steelers weren't really out of it until late in the second period when the Hitmen pulled away. With the game out of reach and with a series of Hitmen (mainly Carl) fairly dirty plays, Mike Didulka tried to lure the refs into calling a penalty against Carl by embellishing a little bit (you know...rolling around on the ice, moaning, etc.) - while Didulka fooled a few people, the refs felt Carl didn't come near Mike and that Mike was hit by one of his own guys. When play resumed, Greg 'The Animal' Nolan, who had a 3 game scoring streak on the line, faced off next to Carl and skated with Carl down the ice and absolutely CRUSHED Carl's Head into the glass. Seeing that this would likely develop into a bit of a mêlée, Durigon skated into the corner where the crushing took place to protect Nolan from other potential Hitmen jumping on him. Interestingly enough, nobody came by except for the Hitmen goalie who was just seeing if Carl was alright or faking. Go figure. For his efforts, Nolan incurred a 5 min major for Body Checking and was automatically ejected and was suspended for the next Steelers' game.

SCORING SUMMARY

Didulka G 2 A 1
Lindsay G 1 A 0
Neild G 1 A 0
Nolan G 0 A 1

Team Standings

Team Name	GP	W	L	T	OTL	PTS	WPCT	INDIV	GF	GA	PIM
Toronto Hitmen	6	4	0	1	1	10	.800	3-0-1-1	33	18	68
Swamp Donkeys H.C.	6	5	1	0	0	10	.750	3-1-0-0	28	8	44
Gong Show (Bruce)	5	4	1	0	0	8	.750	3-1-0-0	23	14	26
Black Plague	5	3	1	0	0	6	.667	2-1-0-0	26	13	14
Knights (Paton)	5	2	3	0	0	4	.500	2-2-0-0	18	27	44
Cellar Dwellars	5	1	2	1	0	3	.167	0-2-1-0	11	18	40
Steelers	5	1	3	0	1	3	.000	0-3-0-0	15	21	25
Black Russians	6	0	6	0	0	0	.000	0-2-0-0	11	45	18

STEELERS SLAY ICE DRAGONS DOWN TO E-DIVISION

The Steelers got into the win column on Tuesday against a winless Ice Dragons team that was sitting at the bottom of the D2 Division. The Steelers were pleased to welcome Olesh Komarnycky in the line up for the first time this season. Olesh provided some solid play from the blue-line and became a factor early with a key assist. The Steelers jumped on the Ice Dragons in the first period and opened up a two goal lead with goals from Mike Didulka (his 2nd of the year) and Greg Nolan (his first of 3 on the night). The Ice Dragons came back in the 2nd to tie the game but then the Steelers pulled away with 3 unanswered goals in the 3rd to ice the Ice Dragons 6-3. The loss left the Ice Dragons with a record of 0-4 resulting in an early season demotion to E-Division. The Steelers had big nights from Nolan with 3 on the night (now 6 on the season) and from line mates Didulka and McCartney who each tallied once and added assists. Coach Lindsay added 2 assists with some nice head's up passes on D that lead to goals.

Scoring Summary

Nolan G 3 (6) A 1 (2)
Didulka G 1 (2) A 2 (2)
McCartney G 1 (3) A 1 (1)
Neild G 1 (1) A 0
Lindsay G 0 A 2 (4)
Carvalho G 0 A 1 (2)
Durigon G 0 A 1 (2)
Komarnycky G 0 A 1 (1)

BYE WEEK DELAYS GAME 2 SUMMARY

The Steelers hoped to get into the win column as they faced off against the E Division Knights. The Steelers quickly found out that this game was going to be a contest. Teams traded goals and leads right down to the final minute of the game when the Knights broke a 4 all tie to eke out a 5-4 win. Greg 'The Animal' Nolan seemed as though he was going to be the only Steeler to score this year as he opened the scoring for the Steelers and got his second of the game (3rd of the season) shortly thereafter. However, Don McCartney broke that streak by notching two of his own accounting for the 4 Steeler goals. Nick Richards made his season debut between the pipes for the Steelers and kept the team in it with several great stops, and was then formally introduced to Kasha (sources say he hasn't left the Thirsty Penguin in 10 days). Nick, have you met her 300 lb boy friend Igor?

SCORING SUMMARY (which I am told will be reflected in the real league stats once all players are officially added to the rosters)

Nolan G 2 (3) A 0
McCartney G 2 (2) A 0
Lindsay G 0 A 2 (2)
Durigon G 0 A 2 (2)
Romaniuk G 0 A 1

Kevin Stevens and Brian Trottier