Revamped Jokers of Doom Kick off Winter Season with BANG!
The Jokers of Doom have been struggling the last few seasons. Times were tough as the losses mounted and goals were scarce. After finishing a 1-9 fall season the outlook looked grim until captain Jim Brunetti took control, moved the Jokers to F division, and signed up three brand new players: Tyler Evon, Devin Henaghan, and Eric Nero. Also added to the core were new goalie Dan Sisson as well as returning Joker Pete Johnson. A fresh new outlook was on the horizon as the excitement built for the December 15 initial game of the new season in a ten-team division against the Knights.
The new team took to the dek looking to click early and at the 7:33 mark veteran defenseman Rich Orsini lit the lamp with a right-point blast into the top corner of the net. The early positivity was dampened less than a minute later as the Knights tied it at 1 with a left circle wrist shot found pay dirt. The period would end on a high note as newcomer Devon Henaghan knocked home a goal in front and a grabbed 2-1 lead heading to the second period.
The second period would have a few scoring chances including a breakaway by other newcomer Tyler Evon but the Knights’ goalie was able to poke it away after a quick move by Evon. The next goal would be crucial and just 38 seconds into the 3rd period Ken Herren would slap home a rebound from his own wrist shot and a two-goal cushion at 3-1. A little over a minute later Evon would redeem himself as he slipped home a nice pass from Herren at the point for the 4th goal of the night for the Jokers, something the team hadn’t done in many games. Finally, captain Jim Brunetti would seal it at 2:09 as he poked home a loose ball after a scramble in front and the final 5-1 margin of victory! Brunetti would express much relief after the game with the play of the newcomers and the overall outcome of the game, “it was great to see the team gel together so quickly and getting five goals and a win was just great to kick off this new season. Hopefully we can keep it up.” The Jokers now get to enjoy an undefeated month of December as they don’t play again until January 8, 2022.