Blazers 4, Amarillo 1 – Game Blog
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
10:35 – Another solid if unspectacular win by Oklahoma City. I was so sure Sauter said something to the guys after the first period.
He didn’t. At least nothing out of the norm.
Sauter, as always, is about the team and was happy to see all three lines score again.
If it’s possible, Amarillo is the best 4-11 team there is. The Gorillas play with a lot of heart and don’t back down.
Sauter said as much as Amarillo was step-for-step with the Blazers in the first period before Oklahoma City put its stamp on the game in the second 20 minutes.
Other thoughts
- Bill Vandermeer is dinged up. Doesn’t appear to be serious. Sauter said Bill would not have played but because of Passmore being out, Bill had to. By the way, Ted Vandermeer got in a couple of good shots, as a sort of mini-revenge to his brother.
- Poor Goose. He was less than 4 minutes away from registering his first shutout. But that’s another W for the Gooser. He’ll be in net Friday at Texas.
- Sauter thrilled with team’s effort. Even used the word excellent, which is rarity from my time with Doug.
- So happy with the play, the boys have Thursday off. They can all eat and get fat and be sluggish Friday. Oh wait, that’s me.
- Friday at Texas and Saturday vs. New Mexico in another three-game week. I plan on taking tomorrow off (no family as they’re all in Ohio), but I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving, and I’ll see you Friday with a question for Blazer fans.
9:25 – Final officials’ timeout with 5:44 left. Robin Gomez scored as the Blazers are on their way to earning the win. Gomez was set up nicely by Jason Seerey and Tyler Harder. Be back later with postgame thoughts.
9:01 – Well, the Ted Vandermeer story is written. Now let’s hope nothing happens that forces me to change it. We’re just about to start.
8:45 – The second period nearly exactly an hour after the first. Yea, I’m a dork. Anyway, what the first period didn’t have, the second was full of: action, goals, etc.
The Blazers scored three times in four shots and take a 3-0 lead into the third period. Not only was it three in four shots, but it was three in the first seven minutes of the period.
There was more fisticuffs in the second. Justin Sawyer got into it and performed a takedown that would have made either OU wrestling coach Jack Spates or OSU coach John Smith proud. He also would have received some nearfall points and maybe scored the pin.
Then after Bill Vandermeer was knocked down, Brian Passmore came to defend his teammate. Not much was landed, but that was some real intensity in his eyes to stand up for Bill.
As for the goals, Chad Hinz scored his first at home this season and second overall. He was assisted by Bill Vandermeer and Passmore, who might be one the most lethal lines in the CHL.
After that, it’s been Ted Vandermeer making noise. He scored the second and had a beautiful assist to Cam Doull for the third.
And even Goose got into the action. He stopped a penalty shot and let some emotion show.
If things hold up, look for a story about Ted in tomorrow’s paper. But because of early deadlines tonight because of Thanksgiving, I probably won’t be able to talk with Ted following the game.
7:45 – I don’t think I’ve ever seen this before since I’ve covered the team. Oklahoma City did not score in the first period. Neither did Amarillo as we’re scoreless through one.
Blazers had some golden opportunities. A great shot from the point by Jeff MacDermid comes to mind as does a nice chance by Bill Vandermeer.
Amarillo thought it had a goal late in the first but it was wiped out. Doug Groenestege faced a lot in the final minutes and stood up to the challenge.
I thought we were in for a dog fight after Robin Gomez and Amarillo’s Neil Smith made a gentleman’s agreement to fight once the game started. Official decision: Gomez with ease. Not quite a KO but definitely an easy unanimous decision.
So three seconds in, we had fireworks. Then the teams went the next 14 minutes without a penalty. It led to a fast period, but I don’t know if the intensity was there.
In other notable scores, Bossier-Shreveport and Texas are scoreless through the first and Mississippi and Rio Grande Valley are 0-0 early in the first.
7:01 – Well, Ben Buckland (PA announcer) just said he believes this Blazers team is better than both of the championship squads in 1996 and 2000. Is it the kiss of death or even more motivation for the guys? We’re five minutes away from game time.
6:35 – Are we going to play in the dark tonight? Something is wrong with the lighting, and all we’ve got is a spotlight. I had a bad feeling things weren’t running smoothly because when I got here at 4:45 there were some issues. Hey, I want to eat turkey as much as the next guy, but we have to take care of some business first. I’m being told it’s some kind of issues with the shutters. I guess I’ll go eat. I’ve tried just about everything on the ground floor. Tonight feels like…hmm, pizza.
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