December 2, 2009

The Fighting Blue Crabs picked up 26 yo Nick Ditizio from the Tuesday AI league in Abingdon, MD. Nick is a well seasoned roller hockey player who has converted to ice over this last year.

Nick has natural speed and good stick handling abilities.  These skills will have an immediate positive impact on the depleted Crabs defensive corps.

Ditizio will be wearing # 97.

 11/17/09

 The Blue Crabs begin their winter 09-10 season after a disappointing summer season.  The Blue Crabs lost a heartbreaker in OT to the Vipers in the 1st round of the playoffs. The Blue Crabs blew an early lead held through most of the game to fall to the eventual runners up of the summer C league. The frustration is fresh in the Blue Crabs minds as they begin their 6th season @ Iceworld.

The new season brings renewed hope, renewed old Crabs, along with fresh crabs right out of the waters. Let's meet the new Blue Crabs:

Nicole Mancini- YES, you read it correctly, the 1st ever FEMALE Blue Crab....glory days! "Nicky" as she likes to be called....does not play like a "girl", she plays smart and tough....evidenced in her first 2 games as a FBC. Nicky plays wing and does not like to get beat along the boards. She does not shy away from contact and covers pinching defensemen like a seasoned pro. Welcome to the Blue Crabs, Nicky !!

Alex Santavenere- Wow !  Once Alex gets his skating legs under him he will challenge for the scoring crab title. This new crab used to play club hockey @ Salisbury college and once, in pee wees, took an opposing players stick .....and even though it was the wrong hand, fired in a backhand goal to win the game in overtime. Alex's reward was a sever beating by his father that left him lind in one eye.......nah just kidding (embelishment) Alex just got yelled at by his mom not to be mean and take someone elses stick. Great story......keep an eye on this new crab. Welcome Alex!

Jeff Enslin-  This ex-Dragon is a veteran of the league, and brings good knowledge of where to be on the ice. Jeff is a persistent player and likes to get in the offensive zone and crate scoring chances. Jeff is very much looking forward to playing his ex team, along with his brother, when the FBCs meet the Dragons.  Welcome!

Dan Murphy- unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure of seeing this new Crab in action. Barski stated, "that guy..Bill, ummm err Dave...hmmm eerrr DAN...thats it Dan! Yeah he's going to be good." Well thanks Andy........Welcome to the Crabs Dan !!

KEZ

Excitement was high at Ice World this week as the Fighting Blue Crabs and Harbor City Stripers clashed for their second contest of the season.  Last time the two storied teams met, regulation time was not enough to decide the contest.  In the dying second of the first over-time period, the Stripers were able to sneak a goal past Andy Barski, after he’d injured his ribs staving off a break-away.  However, there would be no need for overtime in the rematch.  The Blue Crabs came out flying and never let up.

Domination was the name of the game during the first period.  The Fighting Blue Crabs showed tremendous puck control and speed, keeping nearly all of the action on the Stripers end and allowing only four shots on goal.  Much credit needs to be given to the Stripers goaltender as he staved off shot after shot.  The only goal allowed in the first frame was a redirect from the point, as Kevin Feldt held the puck at the blue line, crossed it to line-mate John Hersey who launched the puck ankle level at the net where, team captain, Keith Zurbuch, was able to redirect the shot past the stunned Striper’s net-minder.

Having kept the game within reach, the Stripers took to the ice in the second period with renewed purpose, keeping pace with the Blue Crabs in terms of puck possession, shots, and goals.  Chris Zimmerman started the scoring within the first three minutes of the second period when he took the rebound of a point shot from Terence Mowery and put  the puck high glove-side after seeing his first shot rebound as well.  The Stripers answered late in the second, when one of their shifty forwards was able to work himself to open ice in the high slot and threw a cross-body shot over the Blue Crabs’ back-up goalie, Fred Leary’s glove.

But one goal was the Stripers would get out of Leary, even as the Stripers gained two brief 5-3’s early in the third.  Leary kept pucks out of the net as his fellow Fighting Blue Crabs continued their high octane attack, with defensive rushes from Tony Mazziott and Kevin Feldt, combined with heavy pressure in from of the net, keeping the Stripers guessing.  Though Zimmerman’s goal won the game, the insurance came from one such rush as Feldt took the put to the left hooked around the net and dished the puck to the waiting stick of Jason Hyman who quickly stashed to the right of the outstretched goalie’s leg.  A few minutes later, Mazziott hammered one of many great shots from the point, just wide of the net, springing the puck straight into the crease and giving forward, Mike Franks the chance to pick-up the garbage and end the scoring for the night, 4-1 in favor of the Crabs.

 Unfortunately, following the game controversy was abound as the Stripers and Blue Crabs captains realized that the short summer schedule left them without a game three to finish the series for The Rusty Trident trophy.  While the Blue Crabs lead in points (3-2) due to the overtime loss, in a best of three, a win is a win and a loss, regulation or no, is a loss.  If the Crabs and Stripers are able to meet in the play-offs, this controversy may be put to bed, however if they do not face-off, we can only hope that this heated rivalry will find resolution during a post-season tie-breaking showdown.

Abingdon, MD

The Blue Crabs blew a 3-0 lead to the defending Iceworld champs the Hornets. The game ended going to a 12 person shootout before being decided. The Blue Crabs played very well for most of the game, using their speed to keep the Hornets at bay.

The scoring started with Franks, Zurbuch and Hyman working the puck down low in the offensive zone. Zurbuch took the puck off the side boards skated out in front and hit Franks with a pass to the left post, Franks buried it 1-0 Blue Crabs. The same line of Zurbuch, Franks and Hyman again connected on a goal when Zurbuch lifted a rebound (from a Hyman shot) over an outstretched goalie. The Hornets were shut out in the first by some great net-minding by Fred Leary, and decent defensive work by the Blue crabs, limiting odd man chances.

The 2nd period saw the Blue Crabs extend their lead to 3-0 with a tic tack toe play by the Mazziott brothers and Steve Welzant. Tony the tiger gets the well placed wrister.The Hornets would bounce back and get 2 in the second to cut the lead to 3-2 and half way though the 3rd the Hornets tied it 3-0.

Overtime was evenly contested with both teams getting quality chances......the real fun began with the first ever Blue Crabs shoot-out.

Enter the shoot-out....out of the 1st 3 shooters 2 from each side scored. Allgeier and Zynda both froze the goalie  with nice fakes and backhanded shots pat the goalie. The next 2 apiece were turned away by th goalies when finally # 77 barely got one by Leary....trickling between the pads.

The shootout stats  Crabs-

Allgeier 1/1   Zynda 1/1  Welzant 0/1  Franks 0/1  Erie 0/1  Cohen 0/1 

- The Crabs again had 4 more penalties than the opposition 9 to 5....though the penalty killing of the Crabs allowed 0nly 1 PP goal.

KEZ

Abingdon,MD- June 16,2009

The Fighting Blue Crabs ran into a speedy, hungry group of Dragons this evening. The Crabs were outshot 47 to 18 and Fred Leary gave the Crabs a chance to stay in the game the entire time. The 3rd period was the closest as the Crabs put the pressure on as the Dragons tried to play a defensive style.

The Blue Crabs may have still been in shock from the news that winger Kevin Bradley, his first season as a Crab, will miss the entire season. Bradley, who was beginning to gel nicely with his linemates is sufferring from post-concussion symptoms. Another Blue Crab not dressed this evening was starting goalie Andy Barski, who is an original Crab. Though Andy Barski was missed he was still present to help give the team moral support.

The MVP tonight for the Blue Crabs had to be Fred Leary ...who was absolutely outstanding between the pipes. The Crabs couuld not muster a goal this evening, the first ime in their history they have been shut out.

The Blue Crabs are back in action next week when they face the Hornets, reigning Iceworld champions.

KEZ

Abington, MD – The storied rivalry between the Harbor City Stripers and the Fighting Blue Crabs has begun again.  Clearly, the battle for the Rusty Trident is one of sports greatest traditions and the rivalry between the Stripers and Blue Crabs has often been compared to that of Michigan v. Ohio State, Duke v. North Carolina, Coke v. Pepsi, Spears v. Aguilera; and the first game of the three game series did not disappoint.

Two new Blue Crabs recruits connected to put the first point on the board.  The always-hungry Craig Erie earned his first point when he feed the puck to Kevin Bradley who netted his first goal as a Blue Crab.  With an early lead, the Crabs were feeling good, perhaps too good.  Rather than clearing the path to victory, the early goal cleared the way for a parade to the penalty box.  Even though the Crabs fought of four penalties, with two 5 on 3’s, the penalties took toll and the Blue Crabs let in an even strength goal with under two minutes left in the first.

The Blue Crabs took back the lead in the second only to see it slip away once again.  Mike Franks added to his point total by setting up a goal for the ever-elusive team co-founder, Nate Hays.  Though the Blue Crabs and Stripers exchanged a huge number of shots in the second (15 for the Blue Crabs, 13 for the Stripers) it was the Stripers who were able to capitalize; scoring two goals in the second to take the lead.

Rallying to close the gap, Nate Hays grabbed the puck and broke free of the Striper defense to for a showdown with their goalie.  Posed to shoot, Hays glided forward out-waiting the goal and finally snapped a shot high glove side beating the Striper’s net-minder.  The tie only lasted a few minutes before the Stripers struck back.  But defenseman, Terrance Mowery, unleashed one of his wicked slap shots from the point.  Though Striper’s goalie got a piece of the shot with his blocker side shoulder, the shot trickled over him and the goal line (forward and lead penalty-getter, Michael Franks may have helped the puck over the line, but official review from Toronto has yet to be made).

Thanks to Mowery’s blast from the point, the Blue Crabs and Stripers needed an overtime period to decide the game.  It was truly an even battle throughout the overtime.  The Blue Crabs were getting great chances and Barski made a number of incredible saves, unfortunately one of his last on the night caused him to break a rib on the butt of his stick.  Even with Barski’s heroic efforts, the Stripers took a bad angle and found a way to sneak the puck over Barski’s glove with just 14 seconds left in overtime; winning the first of the three game series.

Abingdon,MD- Iceworld                                                                                                    6/2/09

          The Crabs needed two periods to find their skating legs, but they did in time to pull out a 2-1 victory. The FBC could not seem to connect on any passes throughout the first 20 minutes of play, and seemed content to let the Vipers dictate play. The Vipers put some sustained pressure in the Crabs zone but were unable to put one past Crabs netminder Barski until 56 seconds left in the 1st. A failed clearing attempt was kept in the Crabs zone. The puck was tossed behind the net and # 15 of the Vipers had some good puck movement down low getting the puck over to a wide open #17 to the right of Barski. The puck trickled off Barski's shoulder into the net, 1-0 Vipers.

The 2nd period saw the FBC get into penalty trouble giving the Vipers 3 power play opportunities. The Blue Crabs stopped the Vipers on all three, only allowing a minimal number of shots. The penalty killing of the Blue Crabs seemed to give the team a boost of confidence that they could carry into the 3rd period. The Blue Crabs came out determined in the third, much better passing and some consistent pressure in the Vipers offensive zone. The forwards did a nice job of backchecking and covering any pinching defensemen. The Crabs defense maintained solid play. The defensive corps were a little banged up on this night with Kevin Feldt out with pneumonia and Fred Leary playing with a shattered right ankle. Steve Welzant saw some time on defense throughout the 1st period but was put back at center in the 2nd period. Welzant looked much more comfortable on offense this night. Just how comfortable Mr. Welzant was would be emphasized with 48 seconds left.

The 3rd period belonged to the Crabs. Holding a slight advantage in puck control a familiar Blue Crab emerged. After missing last game 'Tony the tiger' Mazziott brought his A game to the third. Mazziott weaved through half the Vipers before trickling a shot through the legs of the Vipers netminder tying the game at one. The play turned intense with a lot of physical play in the corners. It was just around two minutes when Captain Keith Zurbuch called a timeout. The Crabs shuffled some line combos and a line of Franks, Welzant and Post were put on the ice.....flanked by the defensive duo of Mazziott and Zynda. They went to work keeping the puck in the Vipers end for most of their shift.....then it happened, Mazziott picked up a head of steam through the neutral zone, came into the offensive zone with 3 Vipers on him and ripped a shot that went behind the net. Chris Post darted in and with some nifty stick work, managed to bring the puck out to the front of the net where he put a shot on goal. Then, in a perfect example of being in the right place at the right time, Steve Welzant put the puck underneath the pads of the goalie. The Blue Crabs earned the monicker "Fighting" on this late hour, with a 2-1 come from behind victory.

Game Notes:

- Best start in FBC history 3-0

-Greg Zynda's streak of end to end rushes ends at 4 games

-The same Crabs that found the net also found the penalty back tonight. Welzant, Post and Mazziott all had penalties .....joining them on the sin bin stat sheet was Zynda and Zurbuch

- the Crabs had twice as many penalties as the Vipers 6-3

-'medium' Kevin did well on his first beer wench evening

- the crabs were without Allgeier, Feldt, Hersey, Cohen

- next game begins the "hunt for the trident trophy" when the FBC takes on the Stripers at 8pm wed. the 10th ......come out and watch!!

KEZ

Abingdon, Md- 5/26/09

The Fighting Blue Crabs (FBC) taught the Icemen a lesson on this night. The lesson was that the Blue Crabs do not need any outside 'help' to demolish you (icemen). What does this mean? Well, last year the Blue Crabs beat the Icemen handily 6-1 BUT had a player that had been helping them throughout the year because of dwindiling numbers. The player did not have any impact in the game but the icemen used the loophole to gain a forfeit from the FBC. The only way the Icemen have ever beat the FBC has been due to the forfeit.  Tonight the Crabs sent a message it was a 3-1 dominating victory.

The score 3-1 does not acurately represent the lopsided play....shots were 28-19 in favor of the Crabs. The game was decided on the scoreboard @ 7:47 mark of the 2nd period when new Crab Chris "Zingerman" ripped a well placed slapper top left hand corner. Chris has gathered a point in his first two games as a Crab.

The game was plagued with poor officiating. The refs called borderline penalties and missed  several interference infractions by the Icemen. The only goal the Icemen could muster was on the power play with the Crabs two men down.

The Crabs will take on a much more skilled team next week, the Vipers. Come out and cheer on the FBC on June 2nd @ 1015 pm.

KEZ

Game Notes

- Steve Welzant (last years MVP) netted his first goal, on a nice feed by newcomer Kevin Bradley. The assist is "medium Kevin's" first point as a Blue Crab

- Andy Barski played another outstanding game, turning back 18 of 19 shots faced

- Fred Leary played a strong defensive game but injured his ankle when blocking a shot near the end of regulation. He is day to day.

Abingdon, MD

      The Cobras were likely a confident bunch heading into monday night's opening game.  They should have been, beating the Blue Crabs every game last year, as well as beating them for last summer's championship.  The FBC were also a confident bunch knowing several members were working hard in the offseason to improve their game as well as adding some much needed reinforcements on the roster. The final score Blue Crabs 4 and Cobras 3 was a start, but the Crabs know that this is just one step out of many to get back to the championship game this season. 

    The game started off with the Blue Crabs looking much quicker than the Cobras. The FBC clogged up the neutral zone and backchecked well leading to their first goal of the season, scored by Mike Franks after Kevin Feldt's point shot was tipped by Keith Zurbuch.  The goal answered the Cobras first tally by Robinson who had all 3 Cobras goals. A tie game going into the second the Crabs took the lead twice with goals by Jason Hyman and Kevyn Allgeier.  Forechecking again paid off for the Crabs when Franks, Hyman and Zurbuch worked the corners keeping the puck in the zone. Keeping the puck down low Jason Hyman ricocheted the puck off the pads of Bender and from behind the net the puck seemed to find a way in. The Cobras put the pressure on and tied up the game before Kevyn Allgeier decided to add one to the highlight reel.  After taking a tape to tape pass from Tony 'the tiger' Mazziott Allgeier sped up the right wing, paused as if to pass to the middle and then ripped a shot right over the glove hand of the Cobras netminder.

The Crabs lead would hold up until 12:39 mark of the third, when Robinson put in a power play goal for the Cobras after a questionable slash called on Terrance Mowery.  Crabs veteran netminder Andy Barski made several nice stops before a familar play happened.  With the Crabs on the power play Greg Zynda took the puck from his own zone deked three or more of the Cobras and put a backhand in the back of the Cobras net. The goal proved to be the game winner.

The game was a good start but the Crabs hope to keep it going next Tuesday night @ 1015pm.  They will be taking on the Icemen.  COme out and watch!!

KEZ 

Game Notes:

- Chris ZImmerman scored an assist on the winning goal in his ist game as a Blue Crab                 

- Steve Welzant had the only other assist for the Crabs

-Andy Barski stopped 31 of 34 shots as the Cobra's goalie stopped 20 of 24

- Greg Zynda has scored on end to end rushes in the last 3 Crabs contests