Reno Pond Hockey played The Guardians for game nine of the RIAL D-League Winter 2022/23 season. The game took place on Monday, February, 13th, 2023 at 10:15PM. The game was at Reno Ice.
Reno Pond Hockey was coming off of a 9-2 win verses the Nevada Police Foundation. Reno Pond Hockey had a record of 7-1-0. Reno Pond Hockey had not lost a game yet in 2023. They were on a 7 game winning streak. Reno pond Hockey was in 1st place. The Guardians were coming off of a 6-3 win against the Grrrowlers. They had a record of 5-0-1. They were the only team in the RIAL to not lose a game in regulation. They were on a three game winning streak. They were in 2nd place. Reno Pond Hockey’s all time record against The Guardians going into this game was 2-1-0. The last game between Reno Pond Hockey and The Guardians was on January, 6th, 2023. Reno Pond Hockey won that game in a shootout 2-1. Reno Pond Hockey is the only team to defeat The Guardians this season going into this game.
Check out the game preview here.
Reno Pond Hockey would score the game’s opening goal with 8′ minutes to go in the first period. #96 Robbie Janas passed the puck to #10 Bihn Ly who was wide open. Bihn’s shot was saved. Robbie put the rebound on the net which was saved. #18 Sean Slamon got the puck and tapped it into the back of the net. Reno Pond Hockey had a 1-0 lead after the first period.
Reno Pond Hockey would expand their lead 2′ minutes into the second period to 2-0. #9 Tristan McKnight got around three defenders, made a move on the goalie, and scored.
The Guardians would score their only goal of the game with 14′ minutes to go in the second period. A blocked shot would lead to a breakaway. Reno Pond Hockey’s defenders couldn’t catch him. With 10′ minutes to go Reno Pond Hockey would get their lead back to two. #9 Tristan McKnight would get the puck from behind the net. He would get the puck to #20 Garrett Deering who was in the slot. His shot was blocked. #4 Matthew Stewart got the puck in the slot. His shot went off a defenders skates and in. Reno Pond Hockey would have 3-1 lead going into the third period.
With 12′ minutes to go, The Guardians were awarded a penalty shot. One of The Guardians players fell after a breakaway. He sold the call. On the replay, it looks like almost no contact. I think he fell on his own. I also don’t think he was far enough ahead of the rest of the players for it to be considered a penalty shot. He also went down after taking the shot. #40 Justin Farmer would save the shot and the rebound, but they were still awared a penalty shot. On the penalty shot, The Guardians player didn’t really make a move, nor did he give himself space to take a shot, nor did he elevate the puck. Justin made the save, The Guardians player got mad.
Reno Pond Hockey would score again on a delayed penalty call. #40 Justin Farmer would come to the bench. #9 Tristan McKnight would come out as the extra attacker. #18 Sean Slamon moved the puck up to #10 Bihn Ly. He would get the puck to Tristan. Tristan was wide open on the weak side and was able to score.
The final goal of the game would come from #23 Joshua Schaap. On a 5 on 3 powerplay, Joshua would get a pass from #88 Jesse Viner. Joshua would skate up and launch a rocket right over the goalie’s shoulder.
The game would end in a 5-1 Reno Pond Hockey victory.
Both teams came into this game looking for first place. It ended up being a scrappy game with plenty of chances on both sides. There were a lot of penalties. There were a lot of players getting in each other faces. Both teams seemed like they would do whatever it took to win. As the game went on Reno Pond Hockey calmed down while The Guardians didn’t. That put The Guardians into some penalty trouble. Reno Pond Hockey would take advantage of that and put the game out of The Guardians reach. Reno Pond Hockey’s last two goals were on a delayed penalty and a 5 on 3 powerplay. Had The Guardians not gotten into penalty trouble they might have been able to catch up. I think the save by #40 Justin Farmer on the penalty shot deflated The Guardians a little bit. It also gave Reno Pond Hockey the momentum to score two more goals. There was definitely higher energy on the bench after his save.
This was Reno Pond Hockey’s eighth win in a row. That extends their all-time longest winning streak. This is also their sixth game in a row where they have scored four or more goals. This is also the fourth game in a row where #40 Justin Farmer has allowed two or fewer goals. Reno Pond Hockey is on fire heading into the postseason.
Reno Pond Hockey’s first goal was scored by #18 Sean Slamon. it was assisted by #96 Robbie Janas and #10 Bihn Ly. The second goal was scored by #9 Tristan McKnight. It was unassisted. The third goal was scored by #4 Matthew Stewart. It was assisted by #20 Garrett Deering and #9 Tristan McKnight. The fourth goal was scored by #9 Tristan McKnight. It was assisted by #10 Bihn Ly and #18 Sean Slamon. The fifth goal was scored by #23 Joshua Schaap. It was assisted by #88 Jesse Viner.
Goals – #18 Sean Slamon, #9 Tristan McKnight (2), #4 Matthew Stewart, #23 Joshua Schaap
Assists – #96 Robbie Janas, #10 Bihn Ly (2), #20 Garrett Deering, #9 Tristan McKnight, #18 Sean Slamon, #88 Jesse Viner
Stats were not published on the league website
Reno Pond Hockey has secured the RIAL Winter 2022/23 D-League regular season title. The Guardians lost last Wednesday to Mid-Ice Crisis giving Reno Pond Hockey first place. This is the first time Reno Pond Hockey has won a regular season title. The closest they came before was during the RIAL Summer 2022 season when they came in second place.
Reno Pond Hockey has secured a playoff spot. They will be the number-one seed in the playoffs. An update post with the game info will be coming later this week.
Reno Pond Hockey vs Mid-Ice Crisis | RIAL
9:15pm
Location: Reno Ice
Mar.
1st
Zac Electrifly 