Weekend Recap: Pueblo Bulls

Cover photo courtesy of Al Aleman Photography

The opening weekend of the Western States Hockey League started with a fast and even three game series between the Dallas Snipers and Pueblo Bulls. All three games required overtime with the first game going to the shootout.

It was a duel between a veteran team and an expansion team.

The opening series essentially checked every box for what an opening season series should have and that’s goals, hits, saves and deep overtime bouts.

Sept. 27: Dallas Snipers 6 SO, Pueblo Bulls 5

Scoresheet: https://stats.wshl.timetoscore.com/generate-scorecard.php?game_id=7914

Two Hat-Tricks from each side highlighted this Mid-Western Division series opener. Ondrej Blaha, 3G-1A-4Pts., and Alexsey Syrotenko, 3G-1A-4Pts., led all skaters in goals while Dmitri Khalin also registered a four point night with 2G-2A.

Ilnur Madiarov sniped the game-winning goal in the shootout that also went the distance.

Blaha had the final regulation goal to make it 5-5 at 4:46 of the second period as a quick response to Khalin’s goal seconds prior. This capped off a string of five goals between the two sides. Dylan Miller and Syrotenko each furthered the stalemate after Blaha opened the scoring within one minute of the second period starting.

The Snipers started the first period scoring two unanswered goals before the Bulls managed a response and leveled the game at two. Syrotenko lit the lamp first on route to a hat-trick and Khalin made it 2-0 at 10:16. However, the Bulls didn’t stay down for long. Milan Breczko and Blaha started the quick comeback for Pueblo at 9:50 to set the tone for what turned out to be an evenly matched series.

Sept. 28. Dallas Snipers 3 OT, Pueblo Bulls 2

Scoresheet: https://stats.wshl.timetoscore.com/generate-scorecard.php?game_id=7915

If you thought the first game was close, Game 2 proved to be even more deadlocked. Pueblo had more control of this game and was able to have Dallas on their heels until Michael Fatta had a say. Bradley Richardson added a goal and an assist in the Snipers’ winning effort.

Fatta put it home for the over-time winner at 4:32 of the extra period and also tied the game at 11:44 of the third.

Pueblo’s ability to respond was seen earlier this night when they took the 2-1 lead on a Brock Mcquistan goal at 14:23 of third after the game had been tied for quite some time. Ryan Wirth had the only goal in the second period and assured Pueblo didn’t go down by two like they did the night before.

Alex Aleshkin made 34 out of 36 saves to backstop the Snipers to their second consecutive win of the season.

Sept. 29. Dallas Snipers 2, Pueblo Bulls 3 OT

Scoresheet: https://stats.wshl.timetoscore.com/generate-scorecard.php?game_id=7916

The Bulls were able to secure their first regular season win in team history but not before another overtime thriller. The two teams seemed to have figured each other out with the latter two games of the series being low scoring compared to the first.

Dylan Miller had another strong showing for Pueblo notching 1G-2A-3Pts. with help from Wyatt Andres, 1G-1A, and Ondrej Blaha, 1G-1A.

It went down to the final minute of overtime for the Bulls to rejoice victory and they can thank Wyatt Andres. Andres scored with 56 seconds remaining to further the effects of Dylan Miller’s goal at 7:56 of the third period. His goal put the Bulls on top after Dallas regained the lead at 9:44 on a goal from Dmitri Khalin.

The Bulls conceded the first goal of the game in every match this past weekend. But, they were also able to show composure in always responding. Blaha dealt the response, this time, at 15:01 of the middle stanza. Scoring was back-ended this night as there was only one goal in the first period.

Bradley Richardson scored the first goal just under two minutes of the opening whistle.

Be sure to follow us!

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook