The United Spinal Rangers and the Portland Sled Hockey Pirates played a tough game on Sunday with action picking up where it left off when the teams last met on January 22 and skated to a 1-1 tie. The action was fast and furious as both offenses were repeatedly turned back by strong defensive performances led by league leading goaltenders Jeff Labbe for Maine and Dave White for New York. The logjam finally broke about mid-way through the second period when Maine Captain Pete Grosso launched a shot from the point that appeared to have laser guidance technology on board, finding the only spot in the far, upper corner that White was unable to cover with his blocker and stick. 

The remainder of the game featured New York standouts Chris Meigel, Brian Genovese, Victor Calise, Nick Teodoro, Eric Strezenc, Anthony Fitzgerald, and Billy Hannigan mounting attack after attack including a power play chance. Maine redoubled its defensive efforts and bent but did not break with excellent two-way performances being turned in by Maine forwards Danny Sousa, Brett Goodnow and Andy Moore. Sousa scored an empty net goal in the final minute to push the score to 2-0.  

The loss was the first loss the veteran United Spinal squad has suffered this year with the only other blemish on their record being the January 22 tie mentioned earlier. The win moved Maine’s record to 4-1-2 and set the NY record at 5-1-1 with one PNESHL game remaining for both teams. This was the last time these two veteran teams will face each other in the 2005/2006 Prudential Northeast Sled Hockey League. You can bet that the competition will be just as fierce during the 2006/2007 PNESHL season when the two heavyweights are scheduled to face each other four times.    

Game photos by Marie Auger Dittmer.