The Kentucky Stickhorses need to win their next two games and hope Baltimore falls to Boston in a few weeks. That’s the only way they can make the playoffs now as they suffered a potentially backbreaking loss at the hands of the Bombers.
Kentucky and Baltimore were tied after one and Spencer Lyons played pretty well in net, however he allowed a run late by Baltimore that eventually was the difference.
Kentucky’s offense struggled as they were without Mike McClellan who signed with the Philadelphia Wings. However, they saw three goal performances from Jesse Guerin and Brandon Dube along with two from Travis Bland.
It was strange to see the Bombers replace Ginny Capicchioni with Adam Miller in the second half after Baltimore had allowed just six goals in the first half. However, Miller did allow just four goals in the second half.
For Baltimore, Andrew Wasik scored twice and they also picked up goals from Dan Marhol, Mike Simon, Josh Funk and Travis Reed. For Kentucky, they also saw a goal from Chazz Woodson in his third game with the team and his second goal of the season.
Next weekend Kentucky hosts the Boston Rockhopeprs for the second time this season and it is the last time they will face Boston, in what might be kind of a break for them. However, if they lose this game they are done.
Kentucky needs to make defensive adjustments and also look for other changes as well. The offense wasn’t terrible, except in the second half they struggled to get quality shots on Miller. They face a much tougher goalie in Vince Talbot next week, and they should feel lucky that they didn’t have to face Capicchioni as much in this last game as it is.
They need their best players in Guerin and Bland to play at their best, and need to avoid penalties like the five minute major Anthony Kelly took in the first quarter. Big game for Kentucky next week in a literal must win for that franchise.
