Anyone who has been watching the Maulers for more than a few years definetly remembers the Maul Bro's. I started watching four years ago, when Al was captain of the Maulers. Besides the name coincidence, they were more than a key part to the team at the time.
The fifth anniversary was a huge year for Missoula, the first and only year (so far) they won the league champtionship and went onto Nationals. They made a few marks in beating New Jersey but it was somewhat shortlived. The roster was incredible that year. Between Tiny Paxton Bell the scoring rocket and Blair Murphy the giant intimidator, they were practically unstoppable. This was also Corey Schafer's first year in Missoula, a trade from Great Falls. He was only a senior in high school but was still a huge presence on the ice as he is now. He wasn't really 'Corey Schafer' back then though, since the team had two by that name! Everyone called him "Little Schaf" and Cory Shafer was "Big Shaf"! It was a spectacular year!
Anyway, back to the Maul bro's, I think Paige was often outshined by his older brother, captain Al. That wasn't the case this weekend. Paige played all three games against the Spartans and scored both of his points on Sunday. No huge spectacular comeback but it was cool to see some of the older guys back on the ice!
Alex Shalamov picked up the first goal for Missoula, and you couldn't blame this one on the soft ice if you tried, if you've seen this kid play hockey, you've seen enough. This was where Maul picked up his first point in Missoula grabbing an assist on the goal with the help of Edward Pollon.
Then with three goals already in his pocket from Friday and Saturday, Sam Sevcik grabbed his fourth goal of the weekend on a power play. Henrik Ekestahl and 'Little Schaf' got assists.
Mackenzie Wood cut the lead to one in the beginning of the second but Sevcik yet again was the hero for Missoula when he snatched the goal back two minutes later in retaliation. Finally getting the power play goal they had been looking for.
Next was the moment every veteran Maulers fan had been waiting for, the Paige Maul comeback kid! With a Russian and a Swede behind him, Ekestahl and Shalamov set up a perfect play for Paige to make his victory goal against Kinsey and needless to say, it was more than a welcome back, not only for Paige but for the fans as well!
It was a big night for more than Paige though. A few weeks ago, the Maulers welcomed defenesman, Domantas Cypas, a '96, 6'4 Lithuanian who has become a force for Missoula and a key in penalty kills. So of course when the Spartans got a power play chance in the third, Domantas was on the ice. Where he took it upon himself to score his first ever goal for Missoula, shorthanded and unassisted! Once again-the crowd went ballistic.
Noah Parker was able to hold off the angry Spartans on steam for the next 10 minutes but Mackenzie Wood managed to grab one last goal for Southern Oregon just before the buzzer.
Missoula came off on the weekend 2-1 in the series, winning by a combined score of 6-11.
With these two W's, the Maulers bump up six points on the third place Spartans. They will look to extend their lead when the sixth place Seattle Totems come down for a pair of games this weekend.
One other huge thing to mention is the fans! The Maulers are averaging out to just about 1000 fans every game! Thats good enough for second place in the entire league, keeping in mind, that beats teams from Boise, Salt Lake City, Tahoe, Seattle, Oklahoma City and so many more, great job Missoula!
The fifth anniversary was a huge year for Missoula, the first and only year (so far) they won the league champtionship and went onto Nationals. They made a few marks in beating New Jersey but it was somewhat shortlived. The roster was incredible that year. Between Tiny Paxton Bell the scoring rocket and Blair Murphy the giant intimidator, they were practically unstoppable. This was also Corey Schafer's first year in Missoula, a trade from Great Falls. He was only a senior in high school but was still a huge presence on the ice as he is now. He wasn't really 'Corey Schafer' back then though, since the team had two by that name! Everyone called him "Little Schaf" and Cory Shafer was "Big Shaf"! It was a spectacular year!
Anyway, back to the Maul bro's, I think Paige was often outshined by his older brother, captain Al. That wasn't the case this weekend. Paige played all three games against the Spartans and scored both of his points on Sunday. No huge spectacular comeback but it was cool to see some of the older guys back on the ice!
Alex Shalamov picked up the first goal for Missoula, and you couldn't blame this one on the soft ice if you tried, if you've seen this kid play hockey, you've seen enough. This was where Maul picked up his first point in Missoula grabbing an assist on the goal with the help of Edward Pollon.
Then with three goals already in his pocket from Friday and Saturday, Sam Sevcik grabbed his fourth goal of the weekend on a power play. Henrik Ekestahl and 'Little Schaf' got assists.
Mackenzie Wood cut the lead to one in the beginning of the second but Sevcik yet again was the hero for Missoula when he snatched the goal back two minutes later in retaliation. Finally getting the power play goal they had been looking for.
Next was the moment every veteran Maulers fan had been waiting for, the Paige Maul comeback kid! With a Russian and a Swede behind him, Ekestahl and Shalamov set up a perfect play for Paige to make his victory goal against Kinsey and needless to say, it was more than a welcome back, not only for Paige but for the fans as well!
It was a big night for more than Paige though. A few weeks ago, the Maulers welcomed defenesman, Domantas Cypas, a '96, 6'4 Lithuanian who has become a force for Missoula and a key in penalty kills. So of course when the Spartans got a power play chance in the third, Domantas was on the ice. Where he took it upon himself to score his first ever goal for Missoula, shorthanded and unassisted! Once again-the crowd went ballistic.
Noah Parker was able to hold off the angry Spartans on steam for the next 10 minutes but Mackenzie Wood managed to grab one last goal for Southern Oregon just before the buzzer.
Missoula came off on the weekend 2-1 in the series, winning by a combined score of 6-11.
With these two W's, the Maulers bump up six points on the third place Spartans. They will look to extend their lead when the sixth place Seattle Totems come down for a pair of games this weekend.
One other huge thing to mention is the fans! The Maulers are averaging out to just about 1000 fans every game! Thats good enough for second place in the entire league, keeping in mind, that beats teams from Boise, Salt Lake City, Tahoe, Seattle, Oklahoma City and so many more, great job Missoula!