JOKERS IN SHOOT-OUT WIN OVER BLACKHAWKS

Senior A League - Round 17 - Game 2

Jokers 3 - Blackhawks 2 (Shoot out)

Jokers goalie Jeremy Friederich (98) made 17 stops in win over Blackhawks. [PHOTO - Ian Thurston]

The Adelaide Jokers continue to make a last ditch storybook run for a finals spot after an exciting 3 - 2 Shoot Out victory over the Adelaide Blackhawks in Round 17 Senior A League action last week at Thebarton.

Ben Handberg was the Man of the Match for the Jokers, after he scored the deciding goal in the shoot out, giving the Green Machine an important 2 points in the A League standings. Handberg had a very productive night on the score sheet adding two assists to Nathaniel Benson’s (pictured) two tallies, to compliment his winning overtime marker.

Chris Stanton and Mike Gainer replied for the Blackhawks, who pick up a single team point in the shoot out loss.

Both teams battled through a scoreless first period but then Benson opened the scoring early in the second period on a setup play from Handberg and Tom Alexander. The Jokers made it 2 - 0 less than two minutes later when Benson scored his second of the game on a nice pass from Handberg.

Stanton put the Hawks on the board toward the end of the second period, and then Gainer tied the score with a quick goal to open the final period.

Both teams played a defensive game in the third, and the game went into the extra time showdown.

The Jokers out-shot the Tribe 28 - 19 with Jeremy Friederich stopping 17 shots in the Jokers goal to register the win, while Charlie Wragg faced 28 shots blocking 25 in the loss.

The Jokers improved their season record to 2 - 7 - 2 - 1 for 11 points, while the Hawks move to 6 - 4 - 1 - 1 for 21 points on the five team ladder.

GAME SUMMARY

1st PERIOD

SCORING - No Scoring

PENALTIES - Blackhawks - 11:58-Chad Wilson (Tripping): Blackhawks - 2:37 - Mike Gainer (Holding)

2nd PERIOD

SCORING - Jokers - 19:39 - Nathaniel Benson (B. Handberg, T. Alexander): Jokers - 18:05 - Nathaniel Benson (B. Handberg): Blackhawks - 5:32 - Chris Stanton (unassisted)

PENALTIES - Blackhawks - 11:02 - Chad Wilson (Tripping): Blackhawks - 6:38 - Adrian Von Einem (Roughing): Jokers - 2:02 - Tom Alexander (Holding): Blackhawks - 0:09 - Dan Ricciardi (Roughing): Jokers - 0:09 - Travis Dennis (Boarding): Jokers - 0:09 - Travis Dennis (Boarding)

3rd PERIOD

SCORING - Blackhawks - 19:36 - Mike Gainer (T. Collins, P. Joyce)

PENALTIES - Jokers - 14:23 - Bench Minor (Too Many Players): Blackhawks - 14:23 - Chad Wilson (Roughing): Blackhawks - 14:23 - Chad Wilson (Roughing): Blackhawks - 8:55 - Dave Hancock (Illegal Substitution): Jokers - 0:26 - Sami Mantere (Hooking): Blackhawks - 0:10 - Paul Joyce (Hooking)

Shoot Out

SCORING - Ben Handberg (Unassisted)

SHOTS ON GOAL 1st 2nd 3rd SO Total

Blackhawks 4 7 8 0 19

Jokers 8 10 9 1 28

GOALKEEPERS - Blackhawks - Charlie Wragg: Jokers - Jeremy Friederich

GAME OFFICIALS - Referee - Hayden Crafter: Linesmen - Damian Smith & Dave Gal

Scorer - Nicola Reese: Time Keeper - Sarah Wise