Bedford falls in OT to Central

February 15, 2010

By Larry Mauter of Bedford Sports


BEDFORD 5 - CENTRAL CATHOLIC 6 (Overtime)
February 12, 2010

From the first drop of the puck it was apparent to all spectators that both teams had a fire in them to win. It is sad that in such a game there has to be a losing team. It is worse that it had to be Bedford this time. The loss saw any hope of repeating as the White Division champs go out the window.

Central scored the first two goals of the game but that did not deter the Mules. Blake Podgorski scored his first of three goals on the night with just eighteen seconds left in the first. Jared Kujawa and Jacob Hoogendoorn assisted. Bedford had nine shots on goal and The Irish had ten shots. The Mules had two penalties and Central had just one.

Coach Menchaca must have had a great talk with the players in the locker room because the team played fantastic hockey in the second period. Blake Podgorski continued to light the lamp when he scored his second goal at 12:02 remaining in the second. Jordan Joersz assisted. Central scored a short handed goal at 8:17 to regain the lead but that would last just four minutes. Blake earned a hat trick scoring a power play goal at 4:38 off an assist from Mike Miller. Jordan Joersz scored to give Bedford their first lead of the night with help from Drew Bachli. They would take this lead into the locker room. Central had ten shots on goal and Bedford had thirteen shots. Each team had three penalties.

The intense play continued in the third period. Every time one of the Mules players took the puck down the ice we held our breath hoping for a goal. Senior Drew Bachli scored to put the Mules up by two at 13:28 off assists from Jordan Joersz and Blake Podgorski. Holding on to that lead would prove difficult when just over two minutes later Central found the back of the net. At 8:35 the Fighting Irish tied the game. A mysterious "water bottle toss" cost Central a penalty upsetting the coaching staff. Their coach came back with an Ice hockey Federation rule citing unzipped or ripped pants and our players had to make equipment adjustments in order to continue to play. The intensity on ice increased as the clock wound down and when the horn sounded we were headed into overtime.

At 2:51 remaining in a five minute overtime Central had the luck of the Irish and deflated the hopes of Bedford players, coaches, and fans. This was the team's last game in the NHC - time to set our sites on taking care of the SEC games and district playoffs that lie ahead.

GAME RECAP:

First Period: G - Bl Podgorski, A - J. Kujawa, J. Hoogendoorn; Penalties: T. Krider (roughing); M. Szenderski (high stick)

Second Period: G - Bl Podgorski, A - J. Joersz; G - Bl Podgorski, A - M. Miller; G - J. Joersz, A - d. Bachli; Penalties: Bl Podgorski (boarding); B. Sokoloski (high stick); D. Bachli (hooking)

Third Period: G - D. Bachli, A - J. Joersz, Bl Podgorski; Penalties: J. Kujawa (boarding), Bl Podgorski (slashing)

Overtime: No Goals Scored (sadly); No Penalties

TOTAL SHOTS ON GOAL: Bedford: 34 - Central Catholic 25


Also be sure to watch the complete videotape of this game. The game should be online, Saturday. Look for it soon!