Sterr Shamrocks Down Rachke Wrenches in FHL Opener

by Ted Baxter

AP article by FHL beat reporter Ted Baxter
 Rachke, Yukon Territories - The air in the Wild Wrench arena crackled with anticipation, a familiar hum for opening night, yet tinged with a new, underlying anxiety. The familiar roar of the crowd, a sea of red and black, was a welcome sound, but the echo of last season's heartbreak, a second consecutive Legend Cup final loss, still resonated. This year felt different, a season of transition, whispered concerns about the departure of their power forward, Rich Salvatore, still hanging in the air. He, along with the formidable Bob Porter, had carried the Rachke Wrenches to the precipice of glory, and his absence loomed large. 
Across the ice, the Sterr Foundation Shamrocks, a franchise steeped in history, were seeking to recapture a lost era of dominance. Their legacy was etched on the Legend Cup, a reminder of past triumphs and a beacon for future ones. They too were on a quest, a determined pursuit to reclaim their former glory.   

The puck dropped, and the game ignited. The Wrenches, fueled by their home crowd of three, struck first. At 10:49 of the first period, Kevin Voyt found the back of the net, assisted by Chris Thomson, sending the arena into a frenzy. The early lead was a promising start, a testament to their determination.

The second period saw the Shamrocks answer back. Bill Hetfleisch, with an assist from Larry Collins, knotted the score at 1-1 at 12:50. The momentum shifted, and Sterr seized it. Just minutes later, at 8:56, Marc Ozer put the Shamrocks ahead, a crucial go-ahead goal with helpers from Matt Liebermann and Cory Brenczewski. The Wrenches, however, refused to be silenced. Bob Porter, a familiar orchestrator, tied the game at 2-2 on a power play, with Jeff Adolfino earning the assist. As the period neared its end, Chris Thomson, again on the scoresheet, snatched the lead back for Rachke with just seventeen seconds remaining. The Wrenches held a precarious 3-2 advantage heading into the final frame.

The third period promised an intense battle, and it delivered. At 8:42, Mark Kranz brought the Shamrocks even once more, the assist credited to Bill Hetfleisch and Cory Brenczewski. The tension in the arena was electric. But Rachke, showing the resilience that had defined them in previous seasons, regained the lead at 7:10 with Christopher Thomson’s second of the night. The Wrenches were on the cusp of a victory, but the Shamrocks, embodying their storied past, were not ready to concede.

With the clock ticking down, Mark Kranz, with a crucial assist from Matt Liebermann, tied the game for the Shamrocks at 6:37, a testament to their unwavering spirit. The game seemed destined for overtime, a fitting conclusion to such a hard-fought contest. However, at 1:14 of the third period, Marc Ozer, with his second of the night and another assist from Matt Liebermann, found the decisive goal. The Sterr Foundation Shamrocks had secured a thrilling 5-4 victory. Shamrock Goaltender Dan Rippy had 22 saves in the win with a .846 save percentage while Casper Van Hortens took the loss for the Wrenches also recording 22 saves and sporting a .815 save percentage 

Despite the loss, a sense of hope certainley lingers for the Wrenches. The game, though ending in defeat, showcased their fighting spirit and the continued impact of players like Bob Porter and Chris Thomson while fellow first liner Jason McReady was out of the lineup. For the Sterr Shamrocks, this opening night victory was a potent statement. Marc Ozer, the game's first star, along with Matt Liebermann (second star) and Bill Hetfleisch (third star), had provided the spark, igniting hope for a season that could indeed see the storied franchise rise once more.