Separation Emerges Between Teams After Week Three

Temperatures were high over the fourth of July weekend, and emotions ran even higher as teams faced the inevitability of seeing a separation in the standings after being knotted at a 1-1 record following the first two games of the season.

While games did not come down to the wire as in the first two weeks, week three did not disappoint. Players cashed in on some of the prettiest solo-effort goals we’ve yet seen in the San Diego Elite Draft League, and we got to continue laughing at the volume of clappers being taken from all spots of the rink–from four feet out of the crease to desperation shots sailing two feet high and wide. 

The San Diego Elite Draft League will go on a multi-week break in honor of NARCh, with games resuming on Saturday, August 3. Time will tell if teams stay bunched in the standings or if the separation begins to build. 

Until then, here’s a recap of the wildly entertaining week three games.

Week Three Recap

Del Mar Bandits vs. North County Surfers
The Del Mar Bandits and North County Surfers exchanged opportunities throughout the game, but the emerging storyline here is the Bandits’ X-factor substitute player, Chuck Baldwin, who continued his lethal tear following his game-one appearance for the Bandits in the season opener. While the whole Bandits team was buzzing, receiving scoring from Colton Grover (1G; 2A), Tanner Stephan (2G), Keith Gurr (1G), and Greg Andrews (1G), it was the efficiency of Baldwin (3G; 2A) that became the real backbreaker in this matchup.

The Surfers got contributions from Zac Casinghino (2G), Ray Kinsey (1G; 1A), Reed Kinsey (1G), and Christian Tabone (1A). Tallying 31 shots on goal and firing plenty more high and wide of the net, the Surfers had plenty of chances, but just not enough conversions to keep up with the Bandits’ firepower.

Now the question for the Surfers and other teams around the league becomes: can any of the teams slow down Baldwin or match his offensive efficiency?

With a hat trick and two assists, Chuck Baldwin was recognized as the player of the game. See the surprisingly stirring insight he had to share after the game in the video below. 

Final Score
Del Mar Bandits: 8
North County Surfers: 4

Mission Bay Ospreys vs. Temecula Vineyard Vipers
The Mission Bay Ospreys went to the syllabus on this one and played aggressive and poised in both zones to take time and space away from the Temecula Vineyard Vipers, who looked more like they did in game one of the season than in their more impressive game two outing.

The Ospreys took an early 3-0 lead in the first period and never looked back. They ended up with balanced scoring across their lineup, with goals coming from Nathan Robert (1G; 1A), Mike Rounds (1G), Daniel Carlos (1G), George Godinez (2G; 1A), and Jason Effertz (1G), and both Noe Santos and Philip Bryan earning assists.

Missing some of their key players, including team captain Matt Hamilton, the Vipers had little bite for most of the first period. But we’ve seen that they can be lethal when coming together as a team. The Vipers’ scoring came from Logan Wise (1G; 1A) and Anthony Mata (2G), with Chad Lewis tallying an assist. 

For his versatile play across offensive and defensive zones, George Godinez was recognized as the player of the game. 

Final Score
Mission Bay Ospreys: 6
Temecula Vineyard Vipers: 3

Looking Ahead: Keys to the Game
These are the key components to giving each respective team an advantage, as analyzed by the San Diego Elite Draft League back office.

Del Mar Bandits: Stay the course and continue to create odd-man opportunities by generating speed out of the defensive zone.

Mission Bay Ospreys: Continue to push on the forecheck and play physical to wear out opponents, create momentum, and generate scoring opportunities. Increase communication when defending to ensure opposing players get picked up in man-on-man coverage.

Temecula Vineyard Vipers: Whether it come from getting the first goal of the game or from on-bench presence, find the emotional spark to get players thinking as a team instead of a collection of shooters. 

North County Surfers: Apply the same composure with the puck in the offensive zone as has been shown in the defensive zone to hit the net and create quality scoring chances.