Heads Held High After OT Loss

Players who had scanned the Rivers website couldn't help but notice that the Red Wings had beaten Belmont Hill in a recent contest, the same team that had put a 9-0 hurting on the Zebras only 3 days before.  More reason for self-doubt? Injuries left the team with only one substitute for the game.  Seeming to follow the predicted script, Rivers scored two quick goals, but Groton was far from done.  The score was 4-2 Rivers at the close of the first quarter, but, remarkably, the defenders Luke Romano, Mike Walsh, Tate Burgin and goalie Lucas Gordon absolutely shut down the Red Wings for the remainder of the game, allowing Groton to draw even in the fourth quarter.  With Andrew Mazza ruled out by the Rivers trainer after a hit to the head, the Zeebs had to play nearly the full second half with no subs and no LSM.  To even get to overtime was a tribute to the determination of this team, but, sadly, Rivers earned the right to celebrate at the game's close, winning the OT faceoff and scoring on their first posession.