Fans of the Ohio Machine finally have something to smile about. For the second time this season, the Machine have won a game. This two-win season is one more than last season’s one-win. However, Boston Cannons fans now have a reason to despise the Machine. With the Machines’ 16-12 victory, the Cannons are officially eliminated from the postseason. Not only did the Machine win the game, they held Paul Rabil pointless for just the second time this entire season.
Scott Rodgers, the back-up goalkeeper to regular Brian Phipps received player of the game honors. Goalkeeping has always been a week spot for the Machine. Rodgers played a stellar game allowing eleven goals on twenty-two attempts by the Cannons. The Machine would love to see this performance every week by Rodgers.
The Machine put the pressure on early in their attempt to play spoiler. They scored the first four goals of the season. Kiel Matisz scored the opening goal followed by Eric O’Brien who took the face-off all the way into the back of the net. Jim Connolly and Steele Stanwick then scored goals respectively.
Following a time-out, the Cannons started to show a spark. Matt Poskay and Stephen Berger scored goals to get the Cannons within two. However, the Machine were too-hot to handle. The Machine would score the next three goals as Logan Schuss assisted both of them as Matisz and Marcus Holman found the back of the net. O’Brien would then score his second goal of the evening as the Machine went up 7-2.
Matisz finished off his hat-trick with the first goal of the second quarter. Rookie Logan Schuss then scored two goals consecutively to put the Machine up 10-2. The Cannons would cut the lead into six as Will Manny and Kevin Buchanan found the back of the net to put the score at 10-4 entering the half.
The Cannons would score the first two goals of the third quarter as Poskay and Manny found the back of the net for the second time during the game. The Cannons were getting a little momentum until that was shattered by a Jake Bernhardt goal for the Machine.
The Cannons then put together a three point run as Ryan Boyle ripped a two-point goal and Mike Stone scored his first goal of the evening. The Machine lead 12-9 entering the fourth quarter.
A common theme in this game was the Machine would start the quarters off hot as the Cannons scrambled to respond. This was the same story during the fourth quarter as well. Bernhardt scored his second goal of the game as Logan Schuss followed with his fourth. Stanwick would then find Bernhardt to complete his hat-trick. The Machine were up 15-9.
The Cannons would then respond and go on a 3-0 run just like every other quarter in this game. Stephen Berger scored two consecutive goals as Manny tacked on the third.
Following a Machine timeout, in which was called to settle things down, Chase Carraro put the final nail on the coffin as he fired in his first goal of the game to put the Machine up 16-12 in which would be the final score.
Both teams have just one game left this season. Come Saturday August, 10th at 7 on ESPN3, the Cannons host the 5-8 Rochester Rattlers as the Machine travel to take on the 3-9 Long Island Lizards to end their seasons.
