Washington Post
01/24/2011 07:23:08 PM

The first 10 minutes of the game indicated things could get out of hand pretty fast for TNT. However, thanks to a well-balanced scoring effort and solid goaltending, TNT was able to fight back and score 9 unanswered goals resulting in a 9-3 victory Sunday night against Team Lux. To help matters, player-coach and interim GM Jim Fish called an opportune time-out after Team Lux took a quick 3-0 lead. “We were slow coming out of the gate and they got three quick goals on us. Anytime your on the road,being down early makes it more difficult to stay in the game…I felt like we needed a time-out there,” commented Fish when asked about his bold strategy.

Not known for being a “player’s coach,” Fish was able to rally the troops during the TO and help bring TNT back into the game within one goal by the end of the first period. “He really inspired me to play better. Plus, I had lots of family members at the game so I really wanted to work harder than normal,” stated forward Ben Fehr in the locker room. All around, the defensive effort responded very well after giving up three quick goals, also. Goaltender Adam Weber went on to slam the door on all remaining shots, including a late Team Lux breakaway. Weber also got away with his famous “the-guys-are-tired-and-the-net-accidentally-came-off” move several times throughout the game. When asked about the move after the game Weber simply stated, “I don’t know what you’re talking aboat…the net came off.” Weber lowered his GAA average to 3.76, a new career-low and league’s best in the category.

In addition to Weber’s outstanding performance, he had five other TNT skaters to thank for their sound defensive play. Forwards Brandon Latreille, Peter Vollbrecht and Shawn Fehr, as well as defensemen Chris Day and Ryan Latreille did not allow a goal during their time on ice Sunday evening. “It was nice to have a lot of help tonight. We gave up very few opportunities once we got over our lapse at the beginning,” said Weber in a post-game conference. Slated for a two week break, TNT will get some rest before facing Average Benders on Feb. 13th at 8:55PM. They will look to extend their win streak to 5. It would be their second 5 game winning streak of the season. Beer duty is TBD.

Notes: TNT now posts the largest goal differential in the entire league with a +72. …Forward Ben Fehr returned to the lineup after missing the previous game with a nagging ankle injury. …Highly touted defenseman Chris Day posted his first goal Sunday night since joining TNT last month. …Defenseman Matt Broadus still looks like the late Merlin Olsen with his neck beard.