AUSTIN, Texas (AP)- The Pond Hockey Club’s B1 League saw a flurry of new players to the league and the off-season bouncing around of veterans to new places, but most of teams brought back a slew of familiar faces. Your Bros were no different. In a draft where defensemen were a hot commodity, the Bros lost Kerry McAlister, Michael Qualls, and Drew John. The team picked up rookies Kevin “Come Bro With Me” Gifford, Steve “Sonny’s Bros” Czerniak, and Jay “Bro Moon” Wood.

The Boys in Black opened up the Summer 2017 session against a revamped Snipez squad in the late night matchup. Both teams spent the first few minutes feeling each other out before the Snipez got on the board first. Noah “Bro-in’ Ain’t Easy” Leggett picked up where he left off, scoring on a top shelf wrist shot off a laser-accurate pass from Kyle “Bro Sky to Bro Sky” McIntosh. Less than five minutes later, Fabian “San Francisco Bro Times” Figi won a faceoff in the offensive zone that found Gifford‘s stick. Gifford passed to captain Andrew “St. Vincent de Bro” Feigenbaum, who set up Czerniak’s first goal in the blacksweater. Before the end of the period, former long time Bro Marc Hendersenko scored to tie the game at 2-2.

The second period belonged to the Bros. The team stormed the forecheck and strong neutral zone presence from Wood and solid poke checking from Bert “When You’re Here, Bro” Bischof helped stifle a Snipez attack. Nick “Analisa Bros” Leggett played a solid two-way game, helping support the Boys in Black offensively and defensively, and helped set up numerous scoring attempts. Gifford scored on a bar down wrist shot for his first goal as a Bro to put the team up 3-2, but the Snipez’ all star Michael Morris tied the game before Noah Leggett scored his second of the night off another surgically precise pass from McIntosh to give the Bros a 4-3 lead heading in to the third period.

The third period was more domination from the Bros, but a mid period surge from the Snipez, but Bros goalie Chris “Deptford Bro Street” Luscombe was locked in on a victory within the crosshairs. After Feigenbaum took a penalty for high sticking after batting the divagated puck out of mid air to save a potential Snipez’ goal, Ross “If Ever You’re Brosome” Tagtow and Nick Leggett did an excellent job of ensuring that Luscombe was protected and the penalty was killed. Travis “Be Here Bro” Considine played his best two-way game as a Bro and continues to improve. The second year player is making his presence felt on the ice, and avoided collecting any penalties during the game. Czerniak scored for the insurance goal for the Bros to give them a 5-3 lead late in the game. Scott “The Strangler Bro” Van Pelt had three prime scoring opportunities, but a few bounces and solid goaltending by Tommy Ligh kept Van Pelt off the score sheet. At the sound of the buzzer, the Bros won 5-3.

Pierre McGuire had an opportunity to talk to Gifford, the Bros 1st Star of the Game winner, about his season opener, and expectations for the season. “Well Pierre, just happy to help the Boys out, get on the board and put some points up. Just helps me build some confidence and build momentum going in to our game next week against the Mean Eyed Cats. Looks like we have a good group of guys and we’re just excited to see how we build on this.”

Next week the Bros play the 6:45pm matinee game against the Mean Eyed Cats.

GAME NOTES

Chris “Big Bro” Beard was a healthy scratch as he was pairing some fava beans with a nice Chianti.

BY THE NUMBERS

30- saves by Luscombe

11- points distributed between 12 Bro skaters in the win.