RallyNorth.net

Wed, Jan 30, 2008 07:00 PM @ Rockport

Team	1	2	3	Final
Pope John XXIII	1	2	0	3
Rockport	0	2	0	2

Tough luck continues for the Vikings

Thursday, January, 31 By Nick Curcuru
Correspondent

When summing up Rockport's 2007-2008 hockey season, one word comes to mind: Snake-bitten.

Coming into last night's game against Pope John, the Vikings had three one-goal losses to go with three ties. And it seems that every time Rockport has a big scoring chance, they catch a tough break and are unable to score.

The Vikings suffered their fourth one-goal loss of the season, dropping a 3-2 decision to the Tigers, Rockport lost to Pope John by one goal earlier in the season (2-1). The loss was even more frustrating for Rockport considering the fact that they carried the play for two and a half periods. Following the loss Vikings head coach Mike Greel could only comment on his team's bad luck.

"I would never take these guys to a dog track, they just can't seem to find any luck," Greel said. "I don't think I've ever seen anything like this. And it's not for lack of effort, we played well, but we just couldn't seem to finish."

Pope John would take an early 1-0 lead when Nick Donovan scored on a wrap around.

The Vikings would come out on fire in the second. Pat Hoffman would tie the score at one just two and a half minutes into the frame when he ripped a one-timer past Tigers goalie Sean Nalen. Rockport would take the lead 45 seconds later when freshman forward Derek Johnson banged in a rebound.

The Tigers, however, would bounce back when captain Michael Maliawco scored on the power play. Pope John would get the game-winner with just 15 seconds to play in the second when the puck trickled into the net off of a Rockport defender. Rockport would come out with guns blazing in the third but were turned away by Nalen on every chance.

"We really pressured them in their end in the third," Greel said. "But the puck just wouldn't go in. I think the puck slid through the crease at least six times in the period and we just couldn't put it in the net."

Nalen was the hero for Pope John coming up with 27 saves including a number in the last two minutes of the game. Nalen's play drew praise from Tigers' head coach Brian Connors.

"Sean's been doing this for us all year," Connors said. "We pretty much expect it now."

Connors was also quick to praise the Vikings for their scrappy play.

"This is what high school hockey is all about," Connors said. "Two teams playing hard to the end in a close game, it was great. Rockport is a great team and this is turning into a great rivalry, I look forward to playing them again next season."

The game was severely slowed by penalties, as there were 18 combined penalties called (10 for Pope John, eight for Rockport). Both Greel and Connors admitted that the penalties hurt the flow of the game.

"Neither team could really get into a groove with all the penalties," Greel said. "The game just seemed to have no flow to it."

With the loss the Vikings now have no margin for error if they want to qualify for the state tournament. The Vikings must finish no worse than 3-0-1 to qualify.

"That was the last loss that we can afford," Greel said. "We pretty much need to win out, we will come out and skate hard and hope for the best."