Copyright © 1999 Team ZOG Enterprises
DATE: 10/25/99
ZOGS ON TRACK, REST OF LEAGUE TAKES NOTICE
PORTLAND, ME - The ZOGS are off to a solid start to their second season, going 2-1 through the first three games. However, they have not reached this point without having to learn some lessons. In their opening game of the season, the ZOGS were upset 9-4 by the team that ousted them from last year's playoffs, Maine Semiconductor. While this loss answered the question of whether the ZOGS can score consistently, it once again exposed a weakness in their defense. Recognizing this, the ZOGS shuffled their defensive pairings for the next game. What resulted from this was more than they could have expected.
Their second game of the season saw the ZOGS explode for 11 goals (new team record), in an 11-2 victory over MacDonald Page. Nearly every member of the offense, and some of the defense, took part in the onslaught. Leading the ZOGS in scoring that night was forward Rob Carrier with his first hat trick as a ZOG and 4 pts. total (3-goals, 1-assist). Others making significant contributions were forwards James Gilbert (2-goals, 1-assist) and Andrew Bradford (1-goal, 2-assists). The ZOGS defense also finally lived up to expectations, providing goalie Tim Dominick the support he needed to virtually shut down the opposing offense. However, the defense was merely setting the stage for their best performance to date.
You could tell something special was going to happen the night of the ZOGS third game. If you entered their locker room before gametiem, you would have noticed a quiet intensity burning. Everyone it seemed was focused on the task at hand. Once the puck was dropped, the ZOGS showed an energy level and cohesiveness never before witnessed by this writer. The defense was smothering. They limited Boulous & Gardner to less than 10 shots on goal. The offense was sparkling; passes were sharp; and nearly every shot was on target. When the dust had settled, the scoreboard showed the ZOGS coming away with a 6-0 victory. ZOGS keeper Tim Dominick was only challenged once, when he faced a 5 on 3 powerplay, in securing his first career shutout. To add insult to injury, Dominick also added an assist on the ZOGS fourth goal. The ZOGS purely dominated their opponents, led by defenseman Jack Michaud, who had three assists on the night. Also adding to his goal scoring streak was defenseman Bill Paradis who has scored one goal in every game this season. Other top scorers for the ZOGS were James Gilbert, Greg Perry, and Andrew Bradford who each had one goal and one assist. The ZOGS are looking to continue this level of play as they hit the most difficult stretch of their schedule. They will be facing the top three teams in the league from last year over the next four weeks. It's gut check time for the ZOGS, and the rest of the league had better watch out. This team is for real.
TRANSACTIONS: C John Barr placed on injured reserve. Roster cut to final 21 members.
NEWS OF NOTE: To keep up to date with all the latest ZOGS happenings, tune in to www.zogs.com. The site features player profiles, news accounts of the latest games, sponsor information, statistics, schedules, and photos. Coming soon will be officially liscensed ZOGS merchandise and the offical ZOGS history.