Voorhees, NJ - January 26, 2008

After almost a month off, the Growl was finally back in action and welcomed to the Skate Zone a very formitable opponent in the Long Island 495ers. On top in the Northeast Division, Long Island posed a serious threat to the hopes of a successful home stand for the Growl.

Game one was an impressive showing for the home town Growl, who haven't played at Skate Zone since December 2nd. A quick start is what the team got, as they recorded the game's first three goals with in the first six minutes of the game. Those goals were scored by Keating, Sullivan, and Gsell. The quick start sparked the 495ers to replace starting goalie Mike Perry with Nick Gullo with 5:58 left in the period. Long Island answered to make the score 3-1, with a powerplay goal by Chlanda, but the Growl answered with two more in the last minute of the first half for a 5-1 lead. Those goals by Keating and Gsell, their second each.

The second half turned into a slower, more deliberately defensive game. With a 5-1 lead the Growl was happy to sit back and watch the seconds disappear off of the scoreboard clock. Dan Quartucio added to the lead halfway through the period and Chlanda of the 495ers added his second of the game with about 4 minutes remaining. With the exception of a second goal by Quartucio with just a few seconds left, the battle was over and the Growl recorded their fourth home victory of the year and ninth win of the season.

The win was recorded by Joe D'Aloisio, who turned away 13 of 15 pucks sent his way. The loss was given to Mike Perry who stopped just 2 of 5 shots in the 6 minutes he spent in the crease. The game's three stars were credited to Mike Keating, Gene Gsell, and Dan Quartucio.

Game two would prove to be a much tougher experience for the Growl. Another quick start sparked the Growl in the first period. Four unanswered goals by Redstreake, Gsell, Quartucio, and a second by Redstreake spotted the Growl a 4-0 half time lead. Another defensive second half start killed nearly half the period until a goal by Bill Katinsky made the Growl lead 5-0. At this point it seemed like smooth sailing, but the 495ers were not going to hit the highway without a fight. They managed to chip away at the lead with goals by Mosenson, Thompson and DAllesandro, but they simply ran out of time. The final score of 5-3 in game two completed the sweep of the 495ers in the only meeting between the two power houses all season.

Joe D'Aloisio recorded the win, his 8th of the season and in this game the loss was creditted to Nick Gullo. The game's three stars were handed to Jim Redstreake, Bill Katinsky, and Jon Mosenson. Both teams are back in action on Sunday, as the 495ers host the Fire Ants and the Growl hosts the Stampede.