AUSTIN, Texas (AP)- For the second straight week, the Bros Hockey Club dropped a game decided by a shootout. Last week, the Boys in Black could not stave off a late-game surge by the Rockets, and this week it was the same song against theSweetHarts. Led by questionable sportsmanship, the SweetHarts punished the Bros with even more questionable hits, hacks, trips, and shoves. While this is a beer league, and players do get feisty, there is no room for how the SweetHarts played, carried themselves, and how poorly the game was called. That aside, there were plenty of positive aspects from last night’s game for the Bros.

The Bros played with a light roster, but were able to obtain Noah “Okie from Muskogee” Leggett on-loan from the RoadRunner League. Captain Andrew “Honky Tonk Night Time Man” Feigenbaum scored first with a blue line snipe, beating goalie Michael Nightingale’s glove side. Feigenbaum later scored again off a beautiful set up by Steph “The Fugitive” Meyer. Defenseman Marc “Silver Wings” Henderson tallied two goals. Henderson’s first goal came off a penalty shot, and the second was as precisely aimed as a laser-guided missile and tied the game with less than 15 seconds in regulation. For his offensive and defensive efforts, Henderson was awarded the team’s much-coveted Gonzales Flag. Roy “Hungry Eyes” St. John and Danny “I’m Bringin’ Home Good News” Pranno provided a dynamic backcheck and great pressure both in the corners and up the middle. Defensively, the Bros were able to force the SweetHarts to shoot from the line and in transition, which is generally a favorable strategy. Broalie Steven “Mama Tried’ Sullivan made some incredible saves last night and performed admirably, but questionable calls led to questionable penalty shots.

Leggett made his presence felt and tallied two goals. A third goal went uncalled as the puck hit the back of the bottom of the net and came back out too quickly for the referee to see the play. Leggett played well in black and developed good chemistry with Mickey “Branded Man” Bush, who spent more time in the boards due to uncalled penalties than he did skating. Bush provided excellent crease presence all night and was rewarded with a goal. Meyer also scored off a beautiful Fabian “Orange Blossom Special” Figi pass to capitalize on a surprisingly open net. Figi also demonstrated that falling in to the Datsyuk shootout video rabbit hole on YouTube is a good thing. He dazzled yet again with another unbelievable shootout deke.

Next Monday is RIVALRY NIGHT and PLUCKERS NIGHT! The Bros battle Layin’ Pipe at 6:30 pm in what promises to be another knock-out-drag-out matchup between two of the most exciting teams to watch in The Pond Beer Leagues.

GAME NOTES:
-Scott Van Pelt did not travel with the team due to illness.
-Scott McNearney missed the game due to UBI.
-Matty Young was a healthy scratch.

Rest in Peace, Merle.