Voorhees, NJ - March 9, 2008

The Growl were ready to renew their rivalry from a year ago with the Boston Swamp Rats on Saturday, March 9th. Last season the Growl won the season series 3-0-1 with the eventual PIHA champions and this year they were out to prove that it was no fluke.

An elite goaltending match up was set up as Growl goalie Joe D'Aloisio was set to battle Pete Pennecke of the Rats. Both have tremendous resumes in the sport and it was sure to be a great test for both keepers.

Game one was all blue and gold. The two teams skated the first six minutes of the first period in an attempt to feel each other out. At the exact halfway point of the period the Growl's veteren defenseman JD Davidson notched the games first goal. The Growl would continue to dominate the period by adding two more goals before the end of the stanza. Those goals by Gsell and Sgrillo.

The second period was about the Growl powerplay. The undisciplined play of the Rats landed the Growl on the PP several times in the second period and the home team took advantage of the opportunities by scoring three times while on the man advantage. Those goals were by Ray Katinsky, Bob Beauchamp, and Mike Keating. The Rats were able to avoid the shutout with a late goal from Michael Hunt, but the Growl earned a convincing 6-1 victory in game one.

Joe D'Aloisio stopped 16 of 17 shots fired his way in the victory, while Pennecke earned the loss stopping 13 of 19 Growl shots.

Game two was a much different affair. The Growl did start of the game quick as Gene Gsell scored just 21 seconds in, but the Rats had answers. A see-saw battle continued throughout the first period. Tony King scored about 3 minutes in to tie the game at 1-1. Jim Redstreake scored his first of the game for a 2-1 lead, but just 20 seconds later the Rats tied it again with a goal by Glen Squillacioti. Redstreake scored to take another lead, but once again the Rats tied the game. Going into the half the Growl and Swamp Rats were tied at 3-3.

Just 30 seconds into the second half Bill Katinsky scored to take the lead and Jim Redsteake capped his hat trick by adding an insurance goal a few minutes later. It was insurance that the Growl would need as Ryan Grant added another Rats tally to pull with in one with just4 minutes to go. Empty net goals by Gsell and Quartuccio capped a 7-4 victory by the Growl.

D'Aloisio stopped 26 of 30 shots in game two and earned his second victory of the day, while Pennecke suffered the loss.

The Growl are next up against the Hartford Fire Ants and Connecticut Blaze on Saturday, March 29th.