Jokers Regain Stride

The Jokers of Doom came into Tuesday night’s tilt with the Hurricanes pretty much needing to win all of their remaining games to secure a playoff spot. Things did not start off well for the Jokers or goalie Fernando Gomez as the Hurricanes scored just over a minute into the game, however the team showed some resolve and urgency as Dave Dreschler took a deft saucer centering pass from Ken Herren and slipped a quick backhander past the Hurricanes goalie about halfway through the period. The first period ended in a 1-1 deadlock with the Canes holding an 8-6 shot advantage. In the second period the Jokers were out shot 14-6 but came out ahead in goals, 2-0. Leading scorer Josh Berrelli tallied an unassisted goal off of a turnover at 6:21 and Dreschler added another at 2:02. In the 3rd, the Hurricanes got one back on the power play just 43 seconds into the period on a slapshot goal from the point. Captain Jim Brunetti was heard cursing himself on the bench afterwards lamenting that he decided to defend a pass to the other point with a harder shot.  In the end, Berrelli would not be denied as he scored again at 5:16 to re-establish the 2 goal lead. The Hurricanes pulled the goalie in the closing minutes but were unable to close the gap and the game ended in a 4-2 Jokers victory.

Notes: Jokers were out shot for the game 33-14… Gomez made his 3rd start and gained his 1st victory and has 3.33 GAA for the season… Winger Jimmy Dowd is out (non-injury) for the remainder of the season… Berrelli now was 9 goals on the season and a team leading 11 points.