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Game 1 Recap
The stage was set for the most important game of the season as the Stray Cats hosted the Tarantulas with first place on the line. What started as a dominant performance by the Cats turned into heartbreak, as the Tarantulas clawed their way back to steal a 6-5 victory and claim the top spot in the standings.

Final Score: Tarantulas 6, Stray Cats 5

Goal Scorers:
For the Stray Cats, goals came from Ian Chase, Micah Deary, Jacob Hernandez, Augie, and Brian Van Vlymen. The Tarantulas were led by a hat trick from Kaleb Morley, with additional goals from Zack Merullo, Collin Iacarella, and SARHL legend Chuck Gawell, who secured the game-winner.

Game Notes:

• Minerd Straps on the Pads: The Cats were without goalie Taylor Newton, forcing Captain Andrew Minerd into the crease. Minerd’s performance in net was admirable—good but not great—as a couple of goals slipped through that he’d certainly want back. His absence from defense and, most importantly, the bench left a leadership void that proved costly.
• The Cats’ Hot Start: Under interim “captain” Mike Mallery, the Cats roared out of the gates. A 3-1 lead in the first period, capped by an early second-period goal from Augie, made it look like the Cats were cruising toward victory.
• Penn Outcoaches Mallery: Enter Tarantulas captain Penn. With his team on the ropes, Penn adjusted his line matchups, and the move paid immediate dividends. The Cats were thrown completely off their rhythm as their commanding lead slowly disappeared. After the game, Mallery brushed off the outcoaching claims, saying it was more “lethargy” on his part. Whatever the reasoning, the result spoke for itself.
• Chuck Gawell’s Heroics: In a moment that could only happen in the SARHL, SARHL Hall of Fame inductee (class of 1957) Chuck Gawell delivered the dagger. A wild bounce off the concrete barrier left the Cats scrambling, and the veteran Gawell tucked in a wraparound goal for the game-winner, proving that age is just a number when you’ve got instincts as sharp as his.

What It Means:

With this win, the Tarantulas officially cemented first place in the standings and a ticket to the championship game—because let’s be honest, there’s not much left to sort out in a 3-team league. For the Stray Cats, this loss will sting, especially after such a promising start. While they’re still championship contenders, they’ll need to regroup and reassess heading into the final stretch.

For now, the Tarantulas get the last laugh, but as we’ve seen all season, anything can happen in the SARHL. Stay tuned as the drama continues to unfold!

Game 2 Recap
With little on the line but pride, the Stray Cats and River Sharks faced off in the night’s second game, where the Sharks stormed out of the gates and held on for a 7-6 victory.

Final Score: River Sharks 7, Stray Cats 6

Goal Scorers:
For the Stray Cats, goals came from Brandon Popham, Brian Van Vlymen, Jacob Hernandez (2), Mike Mallery, and Ian Chase. The Sharks’ offensive surge was led by Junior with a hat trick, De Hoyos with two goals, and Ryan Lewis and Jaiden Hernandez each chipping in one.

Game Notes:

• Sharks Swing Early: The River Sharks came out swinging, jumping to a quick 3-0 lead while the Cats seemed content to float. Mike Mallery, embracing his now-infamous “lethargic captain” role, opted for a hands-off approach, letting his team figure things out on their own. Spoiler: this approach didn’t work out in the end… again.
• Ian and Popham’s Blame Game: The Ian-Popham pairing was equal parts productive and problematic. The duo contributed to three goals—two for the Cats and one for the Sharks. Each blamed the other for the defensive breakdown, and the rest of the Cats bench could only shrug as they were all busy ogling Chris DeGroff’s collection of 1995 Fleer hockey cards he inexplicably brought to the bench with him.
• Junior Comes Alive (Finally): Junior, long criticized for disappearing in big moments and late in the game, flipped the script by starting strong and finishing late. After scoring the game’s first two goals, Junior completed the hat trick in style, burying the game-winner late in the third period. Now the Sharks just need him to show up like this in meaningful games.
• Jaiden Calls It a Streak: Post-game, Sharks captain Jaiden Hernandez was seen channeling his inner Lou Brown reminding everyone that his team has now won two straight with him in the lineup. “One more,” he joked, “and it’s called a winning streak. It has happened before.”
  

Overall:

The River Sharks are heating up just as the season nears its conclusion, and Jaiden’s crew is suddenly playing with confidence and without Art (not saying Art is the problem, but his absence during their wins is conspicuous, for sure). Meanwhile, the Stray Cats will need to hit the reset button after back-to-back losses and start looking ahead to the play-offs. This game may not have mattered in the standings, but it gave the Sharks something to celebrate—and reminded the Cats they still have work to do.

These two teams will meet again in game 1 of the play-offs with the winner moving on to the championship game versus the Tarantulas.

Game 1 Recap
The River Sharks and Stray Cats squared off in what was supposed to be a lopsided matchup, but the game turned into a gritty, defense-heavy affair that ultimately ended in a 4-3 overtime win for the Cats. With both teams missing key players, the night became a battle of improvisation and stamina.

Final Score: Stray Cats 4, River Sharks 3 (OT)

Goal Scorers:
For the River Sharks, Jaiden Hernandez, Junior, and Will Newell each found the back of the net. The Stray Cats were carried by Jacob Hernandez’s hat trick, including the overtime winner, while Ian Chase chipped in with a goal of his own.

Game Notes:

• Cats Without Their Stars: Missing Captain Andrew Minerd, Brian Van Vlymen (reportedly prioritizing marriage over hockey), and Micah Deary, the Cats came into this game severely shorthanded. Despite this, they managed to grind out a win, thanks largely to Jacob’s heroics.
• Rick Odom: Goalie for a Night: The Sharks faced their own challenge as their goalie, Felipe Rodriguez was MIA and Tarantulas goalie Greg Artzberger was unavailable. With few options, they turned to Tarantulas’ safety cone Rick Odom, who suited up in net being both sheepish and boisterous. We’re still researching how that’s possible. The Sharks adopted a defense-first mentality, turning the game into a slow, uneventful slog. Rick’s effort between the pipes was valiant but visibly exhausting, as wearing goalie gear proved to be quite the workout.
• Overtime Drama: In overtime, Jake from State Farm, sealed the deal for the Cats. With Rick more or less flat on his face from exhaustion, Jacob walked in unchallenged from the corner and buried the game-winner. The Sharks’ defensive plan worked for most of the game but faltered at the worst possible moment. This seems to be a recurring issue for this team.
• Thank You, Rick: Despite the loss, the Sharks owe Rick a debt of gratitude for stepping in under challenging circumstances. While his performance didn’t earn the team a win, his willingness to put on the pads earned him respect from both benches. That respect, of course, only lasted for 5 minutes.

Overall:

The Cats escape with a win, improving to 6-3, while the Sharks fall to 1-8. Despite the unusual circumstances, both teams managed to keep things competitive, and Rick Odom’s stint in goal will surely go down as one of the more memorable moments of the season.

Game 2 Recap
In their second game of the night, the River Sharks delivered a stunning offensive explosion, steamrolling the Tarantulas 11-3. After a slow-paced first game, the Sharks unleashed a relentless attack that left the Tarantulas reeling and without answers.

Final Score: River Sharks 11, Dwarf Spiders 3

Goal Scorers:
For the River Sharks, Will Newell led the charge with an impressive four-goal performance, while Ryan Lewis and Junior each added two. De Hoyos also chipped in with two goals, and Captain Jaiden Hernandez rounded out the scoring. The Tarantulas managed three goals from Zack Merullo, Travis Laveault, and Kevin Shanahan, but it wasn’t nearly enough to keep pace.

Game Notes:

• Net Upgrade: After their experimental first game with Rick Odom in goal, the Sharks benefitted from a significant upgrade as Stray Cats goalie Taylor Newton stepped in for the second game. Meanwhile, Tarantulas goalie Greg Artzberger returned to his net, but the change in the Sharks’ firepower proved too much for even him to handle.
• Sharks’ Offensive Frenzy: The Sharks came out firing on all cylinders, a sharp contrast to their earlier defensive slog. Tarantulas fledgling defenseman David Narvaiz summed up their struggles best, saying, “I feel like a one-legged cat trying to bury a turd on a frozen pond out there.” The sentiment was shared by anyone watching the Tarantulas’ defense try to contain the Sharks’ onslaught.
• Zack’s Moment: Despite the lopsided scoreline, Tarantulas forward Zack Merullo made sure to shine as brightly as possible. To Zack: yes, we got your assist. When your team gives up 11, it’s important to find the silver linings.
• Will’s Breakout Night: Will Newell’s draft stock skyrocketed after this four-goal showing. While his teammates undoubtedly played a role in setting him up for success, the scoreboard tells the story—and Will certainly made the most of his chances. With zero assists, his performance was peak SARHL: selfish, flashy, and exactly what we love.
• Jaiden’s Big Night: After last week’s heartbreaker and game 1’s OT loss, everyone was wondering if Captain Jaiden was ever going to get a win this season. I guess the joke’s over, now. Thanks Jaiden. Dick.

Overall:

This game was all Sharks from start to finish. They finally found their groove, and their offense clicked in spectacular fashion. For the Tarantulas, it was a night to forget as their defense fell apart, leaving them scrambling to stop the bleeding. With this victory, the Sharks improve to 2-8 and show they still have some fight left in them as the season continues. For the Tarantulas, a regroup is in order if they want to stay competitive at the top of the standings.

Game 1 Recap
The opening game of the night saw the Tarantulas hosting the slumping Stray Cats in a matchup that started close but ended in a decisive 8-3 victory for the Tarantulas. Despite the Cats’ best efforts, they couldn’t keep up as the spiders broke the game open in the third period, capitalizing on the Cats’ thin lineup and scoring woes.

Final Score: Tarantulas 8, Stray Cats 3

Goal Scorers:
For the Tarantulas, Collin Iacarella led the charge with a hat trick, supported by goals from Kevin Shanahan, Rick Odom (who scored twice), Captain Penn, and Travis Laveault. The Stray Cats mustered goals from Augie, Captain Andrew Minerd, and Brandon Popham but struggled to generate much offense beyond that.

Game Notes:

• The Curse of Glenn Continues: Attendance issues plagued the Cats once again, though this time, it’s less about who’s absent and more about who shows up. Glenn Domingo’s “jinx” appears to be in full effect, casting its shadow over the team even when he’s not there.
• Third-Period Tidal Wave: After two tight periods, the Tarantulas hit their stride in the third, putting up multiple goals to secure the win. This game saw every Tarantula hit the scoresheet, including a historic moment where Adam Dixon was awarded the only secondary assist in league history—a sympathy nod to his ongoing efforts.
• Rick Finds the Net (Sort of): Rick Odom finally managed to hit the back of the net, though “back of the net” might be a stretch—one of the shots just barely crept across the line. Cats’ goalie Taylor Newton summed it up best: “Good for him.” He admitted he hadn’t even moved on Rick’s shots, confident that Rick wouldn’t hit an open net…until he did. Twice.
• Cats’ Offensive Struggles: The Stray Cats’ offense has continued to wither, with even Mallery unable to find a shot on net. Though they’re still safe in second place for the season, the Cats are finding it hard to keep momentum as they head into the final stretch.

Overall:
The Tarantulas’ big win moves them up in the standings, while the Stray Cats will need to regroup fast if they hope to halt their losing streak. With the playoffs around the corner, the Cats have time to refocus, but they’ll need to find a way to revitalize their offense—and break the curse of Glenn—if they want to make a deep run.

Game 2 Recap
The nightcap between the Tarantulas and the River Sharks was an intense, down-to-the-wire thriller, with the Tarantulas edging out a 6-5 victory in the final moments. From the first drop of the puck, this game was all about momentum swings and a one-goal tug-of-war, with each team fighting to control the pace. Here’s how it all unfolded.

Final Score: Tarantulas 6, River Sharks 5

1st Period

The Tarantulas set the tone early, with Captain Penn slipping one past Sharks goalie Felipe Rodriguez at 4:12. However, it didn’t take long for Sharks captain Jaiden Hernandez, reenergized after last week’s win, to respond and even the score at 5:38. The back-and-forth continued as Zack Merullo put the Tarantulas up again, assisted by David Narvaiz at 6:57, only for Ryan Lewis of the Sharks to counter at 7:29, keeping it tied. Just as the Sharks seemed to be gaining ground, De Hoyos pushed them ahead 3-2 with an assist from Jaiden at 8:00 and it looked like the wheels were coming off the bus for the Tarantulas. But in the final minute, Zack struck again, courtesy of a setup from Penn, tying the score at 3-3 by the end of the period.

2nd Period

The second period saw both teams tightening up their defenses, with scoring chances coming at a premium. At 4:36, Ryan found the back of the net for the Sharks, briefly giving them the lead. However, the Tarantulas’ Collin Iacarella answered just 40 seconds later, assisted by Penn, tying it up once more. By the end of the period, neither team managed to break the deadlock, with the score remaining 4-4 and each goalie making critical saves to keep the game within reach.

3rd Period

The third period wasn’t much different than the second. There was a lot of “defense”, but in reality, there was more errors and flubs by the offenses. Let’s call a spade a spade.

Midway through the third, Will Newell finally netted a goal for the Sharks giving them a small lead. But as the tension grew, so did the missed opportunities. Shortly after the goal, the Sharks blew a golden 2-on-0 chance to extend their lead, with someone in the crowd ominously commenting, “Remember this if they lose by one.” Though wanting to stay anonymous, it was the scorekeeper because he’s a dick. Prophetic words indeed, though!

With just a few minutes remaining, there was a play that may or may not have happened. We’re only mentioning it because the collective clenching of buttholes from the Tarantulas bench made an ominous thud which drew attention away from the play that may or may not have happened.

Regardless of the mysterious butthole clench, Penn slipped in and tied the game late at 5-5 with a clutch goal at 11:28.

With the clock ticking down, the Sharks went full throttle, pressing for a late winner literally saying “F- OT!” Sending all three skaters deep into the offensive zone turned out to not be the greatest idea. None of them picked up Collin who was picking cherries all by his lonesome in the Sharks’ defensive zone. A loose puck found by Zack sent a pass to Collin which gave him a clean break to bury the game-winner at 11:45. The Sharks were left stunned and pointing fingers.

Post-Game Notes

The Sharks’ bench was a mixed bag of frustration and shock, while Sharks goalie Felipe wisely declined any post-game comments. As close as this game was, it was the smallest moments that tilted the scales, with the Sharks’ missed opportunities and strange late-game decisions, they very narrowly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. The Tarantulas walk away with heads held high, while the Sharks are left wondering what might have been in a game they were so close to securing.

Final Thoughts:
This one will sting for the Sharks, who played with heart but ultimately came up short. For the Tarantulas, it’s a win that reinforces their upward momentum, proving they can capitalize when it counts. As the season is heading into the final weeks, this game will be one to remember—especially for that fateful 2-on-0 and a bench clenching moment no one will soon forget.

Boxscore:

1st Period

4:12 – Tarantulas | Penn, D
5:38 – River Sharks | Hernandez, J
6:57 – Tarantulas | Merullo, Z (Narvaiz, D)
7:29 – River Sharks | Lewis, R
8:00 – River Sharks | De Hoyos, C (Hernandez, J)
11:13 – Tarantulas | Merullo, Z (Penn, D)

Shots:
Tarantulas: 8
River Sharks: 11

2nd Period

4:36 – River Sharks | Lewis, R
5:16 – Tarantulas | Iacarella, C (Penn, D)

Shots:
Tarantulas: 7
River Sharks: 8

3rd Period

5:06 – River Sharks | Newell, W (Hernandez, J)
11:28 – Tarantulas | Penn, D (Iacarella, C)
11:45 – Tarantulas | Iacarella, C (Merullo, Z)

Shots:
Tarantulas: 9
River Sharks: 7