Reno Pond Hockey played the Satan’s Gatekeepers for their RIAL Summer 2024 E-League season opener. The game took place on Tuesday, May 28th, 2024 at 10:15 PM. The game was at Reno Ice.
Reno Pond Hockey was coming off of back to back seasons without a win. That includes a twenty five game losing streak that spans over three seasons. Reno Pond Hockey had a record of 0-10-0 last season in the D-League. Reno Pond Hockey came in last place in the D-League last season. Reno Pond Hockey did not make the playoffs last season. Reno Pond Hockey have moved down to the E-League for this season. Satan’s Gatekeepers came in third place last season. They had a record of 6-4-0. They made it to the RIAL Spring 2024 E-League Championship game.
The all-time record between Reno Pond Hockey and the Satan’s Gatekeepers was 0-0-0 going into this game. Reno Pond Hockey had not played Satan’s Gatekeepers before.
With thirteen minutes left in the first period, #26 Kevin Sawyer scored to give Reno Pond Hockey the lead. Sawyer recovered the loose puck at center ice. He entered the offensive zone to the left of the goalie. He was able to get a shot off as the defender was going in for a poke check. His shot went through the legs of the goaltender and found the back of the net. His goal was unassisted.
With twelve minutes left in the first period, #28 (C) Zac Seidemann scored to give Reno Pond Hockey a two goal lead. #33 Scott Wrye chased down the puck and got it in the offensive zone. As the defender was coming in, Wrye was able to get the puck behind two defenders to Seidemann. Seidemann’s shot went under the pads of the goalie for a goal. #33 Scott Wrye did assist on the goal but I don’t think it was put up on the league website.
With eight minutes left in the first period, Satan’s Gatekeepers scored in the powerplay to bring the lead down to one goal. They were able to find space in the offensive zone to skate around. The puck was passed from the wing to center where a defender was heading towards the net. He went in between both defenders and scored. With two minutes left in the first period, Satan’s Gatekeepers tied the game. They scored on a rebound. The score was tied at 2-2 after the first period.
With fourteen minutes left in the second period, #32 Greg Scott scored to retake the lead for Reno Pond Hockey. On a faceoff outside of the defensive zone, Scott got the puck. He skated down the left wing going around his defender. He took a shot that went off the crossbar and into the back of the net. The score was 3-2 Reno Pond Hockey heading into the third period.
With nine minutes left in the third period, Satan’s Gatekeepers tied the game. The Satan’s Gatekeepers player came down the right wing, took a shot and scored. #16 Tyler Burger (G) did not get into a position to save the shot in time. With just over a minute left in the game, Reno Pond Hockey went on the powerplay. They were unable to take the lead. Regulation time ended with the game tied at 3-3. The game went into a shootout. Reno Pond Hockey missed all three shots in the shootout. Satan’s Gatekeepers scored missed their first shot and scored on their second shot. The final score was a 3-4 (SO) defeat for Reno Pond Hockey.
Reno Pond Hockey got off to a strong start. It fell apart after two quick goals from Satan’s Gatekeepers. Both teams struggled to find offense for the rest of the game. #32 Greg Scott had a really good shot to take the lead but #16 Tyler Burger had one mental lapse and the game was tied. Late in the game Reno Pond Hockey couldn’t find the offense they needed on the powerplay to win the game. Reno Pond Hockey wasn’t able to score in the shootout. What this game comes down to is Reno Pond Hockey wasn’t able to hold onto either of their leads. Some slight changes on the third line might fix that. The only other issue Reno Pond Hockey was having all game was they were getting beat in the neutral zone. This was Reno Pond Hockey’s 26th loss in a row. This is the fourth season in a row where Reno Pond Hockey has lost their opening game. The good news is that Reno Pond Hockey got a point out of it. That is the first point Reno Pond Hockey has gotten in three seasons. There is still hope. It is still early in the season. There will be a rematch.
Reno Pond Hockey’s first goal of the season was scored by #26 Kevin Sawyer. It was unassisted. The second goal was scored by #28 Zac Seidemann (C). His goal was assisted by #33 Scott Wrye. The third goal was scored by #32 Greg Scott. His goal was also unassisted. #44 Josh Seidemann got a penalty for tripping. #37 Andrew McCooey also got a penalty for tripping.
Goals – #26 Kevin Sawyer, #28 Zac Seidemann (C), #32 Greg Scott
Assists – #33 Scott Wrye
Penalties – #44 Josh Seidemann, #37 Andrew McCooey
Reno Pond Hockey is currently in third place. With one E-League game being played tonight, Reno Pond Hockey will likely drop back to fourth place. It is still early in the season. Reno Pond Hockey will likely finish the first week in a playoff position for the first time in four seasons.
Reno Pond Hockey will take on the Grrrowlers for game two of the RIAL Summer 2024 E-League Regular season. That game will be on Tuesday, June 11th, 2024. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:15 PM. That game will be at Reno Ice.
Zac Electrifly 
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