THE NORFOLK MALLARDS NEWSLETTER #10
Published 1/22/24
Hello Mallards Nation! Although we suffered an overtime loss, our home opener was a huge success! We want to give a huge shoutout to Amanda of PlayaBowls Canton for giving out free acai bowl samples to fans and participating in the ceremonial puck drop! You can find our game summary video at this link! The boys will be on the road next week looking for revenge against the Vipers on their home ice in Poughkeepsie. To send the proper energy to our Mallards, let’s break down how things went this past Saturday:
Hudson Valley Vipers @ Norfolk Mallards
Captain Brad McGovern moved quickly after the opening faceoff with Max Henry, burying the first Mallards goal in team history just 29 seconds into the first period. The rest of the period was dominated by the Vipers, netting 3 unanswered goals, one of which was on the powerplay. Going into the second period, down 3-1, the Mallards found their wings as they won a lot more battles on the boards, connected on a lot more passes, and outshot the Vipers 13-8. After a scoreless second period, Hayden Kearney buried the Mallards second goal off of a beautiful stretch pass making it a one goal game early in the third. Tensions that were building all game finally boiled over after Brandon McGowan’s breakaway shot was deemed no goal. From that moment forward, both teams got increasingly chippy until JB O’Donnell shoved the puck past the line during a chaotic scene in the blue paint, tying the game with only 2 and a half minutes left. After regulation ended, the Vipers wasted no time and took the opening faceoff into the zone for the only shot in OT which ended the game. With this 4-3 OT victory, the Vipers are tied for first place in the Eastern Division with the Boston Gold Kings, each with 4 points. The Mallards got themselves one point for the OT loss, but by no means are satisfied. We now look to Week 2 as we head to Hudson Valley.
Week 3 Recap
North Shore Nighthawks @ Boston Gold Kings
The Boston Gold Kings hosted a barn burner this Saturday. The Nighthawks didn’t get onto the scoreboard until the third period, but at that point it was too late. The 10-1 Gold Kings victory puts them in the same conversation as the Western Division dynamo, Pittsburgh River Monsters. Both teams are undefeated at home and sit on top of their respective divisions’ standings. Although, as previously mentioned, the Gold Kings share that first place spot with the Hudson Valley Vipers.
West Michigan Sentinels @ Pittsburgh River Monsters 1/20-1/21
Pittsburgh held down the fort this weekend hosting a Saturday and Sunday game against West Michigan. Not only did they draw hundreds of River Monsters fans to both games, they gave those fans a show putting up a combined 32 goals this weekend. Saturday’s 16-5 victory featured an all star performance from Pittsburgh’s Travis Jeke who tallied 5 goals and an assist, while the River Monsters’ star of Sunday’s 16-4 victory was easily Channing Gorscak with a good old fashioned hat-trick. The Sentinels plan to regroup and get ready for the Soo Nordiques next week. Meanwhile the River Monsters take their seat and kick up their feet at the top of the Western Division with 8 points and a +30 goal differential headed into a bye week.
Motor City Generals @ Soo Nordiques
Shoresy was right: the Soo are so good. The Nordiques scored 14 goals in the first two periods before the Motor City Generals clapped back with one of their own. After the Nordiques OT loss two weeks ago against Niagara Falls, they were looking for blood. The Soo remain in second place in the Western Division after a magnificent 23-2 victory against the Generals. The stars of the game went to the lead goal scorers that lead the offensive onslaught: Keldon Casey with 5 goals, Curtis Hubbard with 4, and Jack Swan with a hat-trick. The Nordiques head into their week 3 game against the West Michigan Sentinels with a lot of confidence, while the Generals are looking at their two game weekend series against the Sun Prarie Killer Bees as an opportunity to recollect themselves.
Sponsor Spotlight
Now that our season is underway, we want to take a moment to thank our sponsors.
Trillium Brewing Canton
Trillium started in 2013 as a farm-house inspired brewery. Artisanal beverages including: craft beer, wine, and seltzer are at the core of Trillium, as well as food crafted from fresh ingredients provided by local farms. Trillium’s Canton location at 100 Royal Street features an expansive restaurant and tap room with signature menu items including wood-fire pizza. For more information, visit trilliumbrewing.com
Integral Hockey Stick Sales and Repair Boston
Integral loves helping local hockey players, no matter what age or level, repair and refurbish their sticks so they don’t have to toss them. Whichever hockey community you visit, there’s always an Integral location there to help repair your stick. For more information, visit integralhockeyboston.com
PlayaBowls Canton
PlayaBowls started as a pair of blenders and a patio table and has expanded into over 200 plus stores nationwide including the newest location at 635 Washington Street in Canton. Get your slice of summer, anytime. For more information, visit playabowls.com
Priority Wall Systems
Since 1995, PWS offers wall and ceiling applications through their subcontracting and tenant improvement general contracting operating divisions. For more information visit, prioritywallsystems.com
TI Builders
Leading the design and build general contracting world since 1988, TI Builders are ready and flexible to work on anyone’s entitlement, site survey, space planning, architectural design, engineering, permitting services, constructability review, and build out services. For more information, visit tibuilders.biz