“It’s a game of halves, and we played the first,” stated Cannons Head Coach Scott Hiller after the game. This is the second straight loss the Cannons have given up to the Pride after a commanding 1st half lead. Boston led by 8 goals in a first quarter clinic with rookie Trevor Tierney in the cage for the Pride before being pulled in the 2nd quarter. Getting two goals a piece from Mike Regan and Mike Battista and getting positive contribution for the rest of the Boston offense, it looked like they were on their way to the cleaners. The tides turned with 1:30 left in the first half, when the Boston frustration became clearly evident. Mike Batista almost got into a little fist-a-cuffs with David Curry of the Pride. “ The malaise created a 3 goal swing,” said David Evans in between his bites of pizza from the snack bar. The 3,246 present at Cawley Stadium at Lowell, stunned by the upset still have hope for the Cannons to get the final playoff spot.

The first quarter looked like the Cannons were taking shots on Hector the Rejector, hitting every shot against Pride keeper Trevor Tierney. Mike Battista was the first to find the net going to goal like a greyhound fresh out the gates and then taking a righty bouncer directly at the 5 hole. Mike Regan was second out of the gates, showing the Pride that Battista isn’t the only Cannon with wheels, beating his d-man with a one handed, face dodge (keeping his stick below his waist) before giving Tierney a no-look roller. As Boston ran laps around the Jersey defenders, the Pride began to play more aggressive defense, but maybe a little too much with the stick. Jersey had 2 penalties within the first 5 minutes.

The Cannons were able to capitalize on one of those EMO’s at 11:52, when Mike Battista fired one past Trevor. Six minutes in to the Cannons lead 4-0 getting the 4th from midfielder Bill Edell, who took this bounce shot with a follow through that only Stretch Armstrong could imitate. The ball hit Tierney low, right before trickling over the line. Jersey made a brief appearance on offence in the first 10 minutes of the quarter, scoring one goal before giving up 4 more to Boston. David Curry was able to put one in off a rebound after O’Brien stuffed to Jersey shots inside.

David Evans assisted the first 2 goals in the 4 goal run, finding both Michael Watson and Conor Gill open for quicksticks. Rookie Scott Doyle gave the Cannons a 7-1 lead beating his man topside and taking a side arm shot on the run that skipped past the Jersey goalie. Conor Gill assisted Dave Jenkins at 4:17 to finish Boston’s second sortie on attack. Jenkins found the back of the net with a behind the back shot low for his second goal of the season. Jersey was able to sneak one in on an EMO from a slash by John Madigan. The Pride passed the ball around the horn, pinching after each pass before Curry skipped a pass to Hubbard who snapped the nylon in the upper right corner. Like I said before the 1st quarter was clinic, what would a clinic be with out more scoring, giving the Cannons a 10-2 lead. This was a new team record for most goals in the first quarter. Regan scored his second goal of the game burning Rob Torti in a foot race to the cage and Rothfuss followed up with a classic move. What do you when a d-man gives you no respect to your off-hand? you run him straight to cage in the runway he paved for you. New Jersey was able to answer back in the 2 minute drill. Hess did what he does best and that’s getting the ball to his teammates. Hess used his peripheral vision to find Urick for a no looker, then took a bouncer low past Cannon's keeper.

The 2nd quarter was well played, as both teams played aggressively despite the terrible officiating from the refs. Boston started off the quarter with a goal from Watson, who was assisted by Brent Rothfuss. Hubbard hit for the Pride, diving from behind the goal to go high over Trevor. It was not an average shot from Hubbard, known for his shot not for acrobatics. Battista went straight to the goal after the face off. Mike flew in from the at full tilt, Torti tried to D him up but Battista ran right through him and ripped a shot overhand past Koudelka. Jersey began to feel the flow on offense, as they finally began to get the looks. Hess found Curry open on the crease for a very swift dip n’ dunk. Brian Silcott answered back for the Cannons with a Jordanesque pull up jumper. Silcott ran hard to goal then stopped on a dime to shoot off his defenseman’s hip. At 5:35 David Curry scored his second goal of the quarter. Curry took a shot and showed the importance of why shooting overhand is enforced in camps. The overhand shot can freeze up a goaltender. David took his shot nearly on the goal line extended and stuck the ball high over O’Brien’s shoulder. Rothfuss scored the last goal of the quarter for the Cannons, taking a nice solid bounce shot on the run. Then it happened, like high tide. The frustration became clear as a skirmish broke out on the field between Battista and Curry. The altercation put Battista and Curtis in the box for Boston and Curry in the box for the Pride. New Jersey was able to take advantage of the EMO, and began the 3 goal swing bring them within 5 goals 9-14. Jalbert scored his 1st point of the game from behind the arc as the Boston fans booed the ex-Cavalier. Then with only seconds remaining in the quarter Hubbard scored on a slow break and got hit late to give them and EMO to start the second half.

Koudelka was the man of the quarter, shutting out the Cannons who took 13 shot with only 5 on cage. Jersey was able to connect and bring them within 2. Hess found Hubbard open for an outside shot. Hubbard ripped Hess’ assist right off the pipe by Koudelka’s left hip. Jalbert scored his second 2 pointer of the game on an EMO with 7:51 remaining. Both teams played solid defense and both teams suffered from the possessions changes on shot clock violations.

“Every time we scored, it took a little away from the Cannons,” said Hubbard by Hiller’s side at the post game press conference. Boston’s confidence was shot in the 4th quarter taking any shot they could get. The Cannons only took 7 shots to Jersey’s 13 and connected on only one shot from 2 point land. The Pride tied up the game less than 4 minutes into the final quarter. Hess assisted Massey on an EMO carried over from the 1st half. Jesse tied it up for Jersey after being harassed by Ryan Curtis. Jesse held the ball for at least 20 second working on curtis before getting inside him on the crease. At 9:35 Boston regained a 2 goal lead and brought everyone at Cawley stadium to their feet. I could be wrong, it could have been the dancers giving away the Vaportek, but I am pretty sure it was the goal. The last 5 minutes was all Jersey as they took them to the bank once again. Urick scored with an over hand shot usinf his d-man as the screen. Then at 2:53 Jesse Hubbard took an off balance shot at the buzzer. Yes, it did go in and yes it was a two pointer for the 17-16 lead. Urick scored the winning goal with under a minute in a half remaining from Jay Jalbert. Similar to their first meeting where Jersey came back from a 6 goal deficit to win 16-15 in overtime.