It took five tries, but the Winking Lizard finally brought home the championship hardware (banner) as they earned their first USA Hockey Adult Classic championship over the weekend. It was an eventful weekend as the Lizard came from behind in two games , dominated one game and eked out a 1-0 victory in the all important game.

Lizard Opens Up USA Hockey Tournament With 4-3 Victory

Down Two Goals Early, Lizard Fights Back To Gain Victory

     The Lizard faced off against Thursday D Rival Beer in the first game of the 2010 USA Hockey Adult Classic Tournament Friday night. Beer jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead  in the first period, but the Lizard didn't panic. With 2:14 left in the first period, Lizard center Scott Morris  got the Lizard on the board with a nice wrister.  

     The Lizard tied the game at two in the second as defenseman Andrew Robison ripped a shot past the stunned Beer netminder unassisted. Beer took a 3-2 lead midway through the third period, but that was short lived as Morris collected his second goal of the game at the 3:42 mark. Just a mere  23 seconds later Robison flipped in the eventual game winner as winger Dan Harker assisted. The Lizard skated away with a 4-3 come from behind victory as time expired. As the teams were shaking hands after the game, the Beer goalie was nowhere in sight as he apparently skated off the ice and had decided to show all of us the true meaning of loser by not showing sportsmanship by skating in the hand shake line. It's not the first time he's done that, so it really came as no surprise.

Lizard Down Two Early, Comes From Behind Again To Get Victory

Balanced Effort Fuels Victory

     In what seemed to be recurring theme, the Lizard spotted their opponent two goals in the first period in this second tourney game and had to fight back to get a victory.  The Lizard's opponent was the Triple D's from Wooster and they took a 2-0 lead in the first period. The Lizard finally responded very late in the second period as winger Bryan Randles roofed a rebound with his backhand off a Robison shot with just 39 seconds left i  the period. Just 20 seconds later, center Scott Morris tied the game at two with a nice shot off assists from Robison and Randles. 

    The Lizard took the lead in the third period as rugged winger Jay Richards cleaned up a rebound to put the Lizard up 3-2. Scott mansfield and Randles assisted on the play. 

"I was in the right place at the right time," Richards said.

     That lead was short lived as the Triple D's notched the score at 3 a couple minutes later. But just as quick as they tied it, the Lizard scored again to take the lead for good, this time by Robison unassisted. The Lizard got an insurance goal from winger Dan Harker  at the 3:54 mark to put the Lizard up 5-3. Center Mike Mahler assisted on the play. 

Lizard Comes Out Blazing In 8-3 Victory

Lizard Earns Third Trip To The USA Hockey Adult Classic Championship Game

     You couldn't tell the Lizard had played a game a few hours before as they came out of the gates blazing in this game, setting the rough and tumble tone on their first shift that carried throughout the game. At the drop of the puck, The Lizard pounded their opponent, Brian's Bail Bonds, at each end of the ice, knocking them off the puck and vigorously forechecking.

"We wanted to send a message on our first shift," Lizard captain Steve Roth said. "We have played them before and know they are a physical bunch, so I tried to set the tone early with them that we could play that game too. I think I got the point across on my first shift, no doubt."

     The Lizard racked up eight goals this game, including a hat trick by OLT captain Mike Mahler (3 g, 1a) and a five point night by dynamic winger Dan Harker (2g, 3a). The Lizard controlled the game from the get go and never looked back. As the game progressed, the action got more physical.

"Every time the Mahler, Harker, Schlaecter line would score two goals on their shift, our line (Groezinger, Plas, Roth) would be the next ones out and they took it out on us," Groezinger noted. "But that was just fine as we shut them down."

     The Lizard won this game 8-3 and advanced to the Championship game. 

Additional stats: Mike Carroll (1g), Robison (1g), Morris (1g), Craig Smith (1a)

Lizard Wins 2010 USA Adult Hockey Classic Championship

Lizard Scores Lone Goal To Earn Victory

     The Lizard made it to the Championship for the third time in it's 5 year participation in the USA Adult Hockey Classic Tournament, hoping that the third time would be the charm in bringing home the victory. The Lizard was facing off against the Dayton Ice who had ended up 3-0 in their pool, just like the Lizard. This was looking like it would be a game for the ages.

    The first period both teams were trying to get a good gauge of what they were up against. The second period saw both teams taking a few more chances.

"Our break out was not very good up through the first half of the game," Mahler noted. "We needed to change that. It became apparent after two scoreless periods that whoever scored first was probably going to win."

     The third period saw some great defensive plays and saves from goalie John Mathias. As time wound down in the third, both teams started pressing a bit more. With 3:30 left in the game and a 0-0 tie, Mahler hit Harker with a nice pass to push the puck up the ice. Harker skated in the zone and ripped a shot on goal. A scrum ensued and Robison pinched up and jammed the loose puck under the Dayton Ice netminders pads. The crowd erupted.

"Actually, here's how it really broke down on that goal," Harker said. " It was a pass across the crease, Robison deflected it for a shot and got his own rebound for the goal. Mahler won the faceoff to me."

The Dayton Ice  pulled their goalie in the waning minutes and the Lizard held them off to secure their first USA Hockey Championship, their 10th overall championship.

"What an awesome feeling," Lizard captain Roth said. "We fought hard all weekend and what a great bunch of guys to win this with."

"I am glad we won some more beer," Lizard Goalie John Mathias said.  "I was worried we wouldn't have enough."

To go along with the extra beer the Lizard won, they also received new Hockey Gloves, a giant USA Hockey Labatt Blue Championship banner (that all the team members signed) and a USA Hockey hat.

"It was a good time, glad I played," defenseman Kevin Ellis said.