Reno Pond Hockey played The Guardians in their last game. It was game three of the RIAL D-League Winter 2022/23 season. The game took place on Friday, January, 6th, 2022 at 10:30PM. The game was at Reno Ice.
Reno Pond Hockey was coming off of a 6-3 win verses the Nevada Police Foundation. Reno Pond Hockey was 1-1-0. Reno pond Hockey was in 3rd place in the standings. The Guardians come off a 4-1 win against the Grrrowlers. The Guardians were 2-0-0. The Guardians were in 2nd place. The all time record between Reno Pond Hockey and the Guardians going into this game was 1-1-0. The last game between Reno Pond Hockey and The Guardians was on August 13, 2022. That game ended in a 2-3 Reno Pond Hockey loss.
Check out the game preview here.
Neither team scored in the first period. Reno Pond Hockey was creating quality chances almost as soon as the game started. They spent a lot of time in the offensive zone. With seven minutes to go Reno Pond Hockey almost scored. The goalie was beat, but the puck went off the side of the net. The Guardians had the only powerplay in the first period. They did not create any scoring chances during their powerplay. The score was 0-0 after the first period.
The Guardians scored the game’s opening goal. They scored three minutes into the second period. On a 2 on 2 Reno Pond Hockey was able to get the puck away from the puck carrier. The Guardians recovered the puck and scored. The Guardians almost went up by two goals. #40 Justin Farmer came out to play the puck along the boards but wasn’t able to get to it first. The Guardians were able to get a shot towards the empty net. #9 Tristan McKnight dove to keep the puck out of the net. With just under fifteen minutes to go in the period Reno Pond Hockey would tie the game. #13 Kevin Lee kept the puck in the offensive zone with a pass to #18 Sean Slamon. Sean passed it to #9 Tristan McKnight who was heading to the net. Tristan deflected the puck into the back of the net.
Reno Pond Hockey would get plenty of chances to finish out the period. They would get a couple of powerplays but neither team scored again in the second period. At the end of the period Reno Pond Hockey would take a penalty while on the powerplay. The score going into the third period was 1-1.
The Third period would start with 4 on 4 play. Late in the period Reno Pond Hockey would get some good chances. With under thirty seconds to go Reno Pond Hockey would be back on the powerplay. Both teams were unable to break the tie. The score was still 1-1 after regulation time.
The RIAL does not have overtime. Tied games go directly into a three person shootout. The first shooter for The Guardians was stopped with a pad save. Reno Pond Hockey’s first shooter #23 Joshua Schaap lost the puck. The Guardians second shooter missed the net. He came in fast and had nowhere to shoot. Reno Pond Hockey’s second shooter #9 Tristan McKnight put a move on the goalie and had a wide open net for an easy goal. The Guardians third shooter lost the puck but was able to regain it. When he regained the puck he wasn’t able to do anything but shoot. #40 Justin Farmer made the stop to win the shootout. Reno Pond Hockey would not have to use a third shooter. The final was 2-1 Reno Pond Hockey.
The first goal hurt. Reno Pond Hockey had plenty of chances and a lot of offensive zone time. They had nothing to show for it. It was worse than that because they were outplaying The Guardians up to that point but were down a goal. The tying goal was great. It was good teamwork. It shows good vision from everyone on the ice to recognize where people were. The shot was amazing. That play was like something seen in pro hockey. This was our second game against Beau this season. He had another amazing game. He gave The Guardians everything he could to make sure they had a chance. Reno Pond Hockey should have had three or four more goals and might have if he weren’t in net. I knew it was going to be a close game. I didn’t think it would be this close. Shootouts are always nerve-racking.
This is the second time that Reno Pond Hockey has been in a shootout. Reno Pond Hockey is undefeated in shootouts with a record of 2-0-0.
Reno Pond Hockey’s only goal was scored by #9 Tristan McKnight. It was assisted by #18 Sean Slamon and #13 Kevin Lee
Goals – #9 Tristan McKnight
Assists – #18 Sean Slamon and #13 Kevin Lee
Stats were not published on the league website
Reno Pond Hockey vs Mid Ice Crisis | RIAL
10:45pm
Location: Reno Ice
Jan.
11th
Zac Electrifly 