Manchester Metros A hoped any sort of positive form would have found them in their travels across the M62 to Hull on Thursday night, but defensive mishaps again plagued the team's chances at a late rally against Hull.
Thursday night's game saw the introduction of two call-ups for their A team debut with the Metros as Oliver Wallace and Matt Crouch received early-season action. Crouch, a defensive player from Kent, was called up to help keep the puck out of Robyn Maby's net (who also made her return to the A team lineup). Wallace filled in a slot as a winger for the team.
Matt Lowry keep his form up by notching a hat-trick. His first goal came from a 2-on-1 shot from the slot that snuck under the Hull goalie (asst. Allen Gunn, Topi Jylha). Goal two he finished off of a rebound on the power play (asst. Tom Wilson, Allen Gunn). The hat-trick goal was a shorthanded, individual effort. From the defensive zone face-off, Lowry made a great play at the blue line to dink the puck around the Hull defender. He then went onto slot the puck home on a nifty move.
Manchester spent a good portion of the second and third period on the power play, but unable to capitalise consistently on the man advantage. Hull had one player sent of for boarding, and then ended up with another player in the box whilst the 1st penalty was still going giving the Metros a 5-on-3 for 2 minutes.
Jylha was a Finnish trooper continuing to work hard after sustaining an injury to his cheek after being checked into the high boards. Also, a Canadian trio of Shayne Langlois, Tyler Schock, and Mike De Paoli, spent time in the box together after some physical play in the offensive zone culminated in a scrap along the boards. Of course, led by "Shayne the Train".
Upcoming game: Manchester (0-3) welcome Hull Ice Hogs (1-0-1) to Deeside on Friday, September 22 with face-off at 2230.
Don't even bother with the gamesheet, it wasn't filled out properly...
