Tiger Sharks vs. Charlotte Checkers
W 5-3
Man am I ever proud of our Sharks tonight. They played an amazing game,which is just what they and the fans both needed,especially in front of such a crowd. Radio announced the attendance was somewhere around the 3000 mark; this is mostly thanks to a huge group of kids in section D (?). They took up the entire section and were louder than the rest of the arena.
A regular fan could tell immediately that this game was going to be different as soon as the guys stepped onto the ice to start the game. While the Checkers scored 3 goals in this first period,it didnt seem to affect the enthusiasm shown on the ice. Passes were completed and checks were carried out better than any previous game at home.
Second period was when the T-Sharks really stepped out,scoring 2 goals. Hits were more aggressive,and the civic center noise level was louder than I've heard in a *long* time. We fans were loving every minute of it. With around 2 1/2 minutes to go,Patrick Gingras and an unknown Checkers player got into an impressive fight in the Charlotte end and were both escorted off the ice with even penalties.
The last period was just a nail in the coffin. The ref and linesmen were greeted onto the ice by a loud chorus of "boooo". An early goal by Cully tied the game 3-3. Later something unexpected happened as Brent Pope's fists started flying. This one wasnt as impressive to watch as the Gingras fight (but then again,how often are fights as impressive when Patrick's not involved),but it was definitely as much fun yelling. Talk about a barely officiated period....I never saw anything as rediculous. Not only were there few calls for us,there were few calls *against* us even. You wouldnt have expected this after the previous period. Welp,it's midnight,so I'm headin to bed soon,night all!
Goals: ? (Dusablon or Smyth,Copeland)(2nd); Houle (Long,Cullaton)(2nd); Cullaton (Long,Houle)(3rd); Smyth (Copeland,Dusablon)(3rd); Cullaton (Long,Drummond)(EN)(3rd)
Shots on Goal: Tallahassee: 44,Charlotte:22
Stars of the game: 3rd-Houle,2nd-?,1st-Cullaton
Notes: Ben Guité was not dressed out; Even Lindsay was back in net from his short call-up to Quebec.
