Day 50: ROV@WIC review

Rovers forward Kris Draper relaxed before the game by playing a little soccer, then scored two goals to sink the Wicked Ale.

St. Pete's, FL (AP)

Kris Draper scored both goals for the Rovers and Chris Mason stopped 19 of 20 shots in a 2-1 win over the host Wicked Ale last night. Pulling into St. Pete's the day after a long flight down from a home win against the Funboys, it would have been very easy to simply go through the motions against the last-placed Wicked Ale. With a single win in their previous ten games, St. Pete's can be easy to overlook. However, their results belie the offensive talent on their side, and the coaching staff knew that they'd have to get a full effort to get two points. The coaches wanted a quick start from the team, but based on the first period of play, you'd have to think that most of the Rovers were still on the plane. The Ale jumped out to an early lead on a goal from Todd Marchant and put the pedal down, outshooting the Rovers 10-3 in the frame. "We came out real flat in the first", Stringer said. "I had cautioned the guys that we needed to start fast, but nobody had legs early. They really took it to us".

After a verbal beating in the lockerroom at the intermission, the Rovers came out with more purpose in the second. Kris Draper scored on a breakaway, intercepting an attempted D to D pass from Vladimir Malakhov at the Rovers blueline and going in alone to finish with a quick snapper high glove-side on Ale netminder Jocelyn Thibault, at the seven minute mark and again early in the third on a nifty deflection of a Nils Ekman shot from the half-boards. From that point, backup Chris Mason and the rest of the defense shut the door, allowing just ten shots in the second and third periods combined after yielding ten in the first period alone.

The Ale began to show some frustration late in the game with the Rovers defensive shell. With three minutes remaining, Pierre Turgeon drove Eric Brewer head-first into the boards with a vicious check from behind. Turgeon was assessed only a minor for boarding. Then a minute into the Rover power-play, Mathieu Dandenault blatantly cross-checked Glen Murray in the face while the two were battling for position in the front of the net. Dandeneault was given a five-minute major for cutting Murray, who required stitches on the bench to close the gash in his lip. "They really took liberties tonight late in the game", Stringer said after. "I was impressed with Robyn jumping in and defending our guys [Regehr was given a roughing minor at the end of the Dandenault exchange], but we'll play them again in the future. This will be remembered by our guys".

With the win, the Rovers pulled to within one point of the Capones, who dropped a 2-1 decision to the Sockeyes, for second place. The Capones still have a game in hand. The Rovers now have an off-day before hosting the Selects. Martin Gerber is expected to be a game-time decision in that contest, but if he is unable to go, Mason will look for consecutive wins for the first time this season.