GAME RECAP: Rockers vs. Elmira River Sharks 12/22/23
12/23/2023
The streak is over. After suffering five straight losses, the Motor City Rockers finally got back in the win column Friday night as they exploded for eight goals, including a four goal night for the game's number one star, in an 8-4 victory over the Elmira River Sharks in front of 876 fans at Big Boy Arena.
This was the fifth meeting of the season between these two squads, but the first in Fraser as Elmira hosted the previous four. Motor City won three of those four contests with the other game a shootout loss, so they had managed eleven of a possible twelve points out of those games, giving them good reason to think this was the night they could snap their losing streak. They didn't waste any time either, jumping out to a 2-0 lead just three minutes into the game on goals from TJ Delaney at 1:42 and Declan Conway at the three minute mark. This was their first time seeing new Elmira goaltender Sammy Bernard, and he was less then impressive. Delaney made it 3-0 on the powerplay at 8:50 for his second of the night, then Josh Colten got in on the fun at 17:25, also on the powerplay, for his fourth goal of the season and the Rockers were cruising up 4-0 after one. Trevor Babin stopped all fourteen shots he faced in the period for Motor City.
With Babin in net, and a four goal cushion at home, you'd think the game was in hand, but the Rockers have had a habit of blowing leads during this losing streak and with forty minutes still to play, anything was possible. Elmira made them pay on a powerplay of their own just 41 seconds into the second when Cody Rodgers absolutely lasered a shot past Babin to make it 4-1. Elmira then had a golden opportunity to get back in the game on a bad boarding penalty by Motor City's Tristen Wells at 5:46 that earned him a five minute major and a game misconduct. It got worse when Derek Makimaa went off for a cross-check at 7:29 giving the River Sharks a two-man advantage. It would be Rodgers again who would capitalize, blasting it past Babin at 7:40 for his second of the night and just like that it was 4-2. But the hero of the night regained the three goal lead for Motor City as Delaney got the hat trick at 14:41, putting the Rockers back in control up 5-2 after two.
Elmira struck early again on the powerplay to open the third when freshly re-signed Cameron Yarwood struck just 35 seconds in to make it 5-3. But Delaney again had an answer with his fourth of the night, and seventh of the season, at 1:57 to get the lead back up to three goals. Scott Coash then popped in his team leading twelfth of the season at 4:55 to make it 7-3. Rodgers again struck on the powerplay for a hat trick of his own at 8:11 but Elmira would get no closer as Motor City added an empty net goal from Nick Magill-Diaz at 17:09 for the 8-4 final.
The eight goals are a season high for the Rockers. In addition to the big four goal night from Delaney, a number of other players peppered the scoresheet. The recently returned Cade Lambdin picked up three assists, Jamie Milam, Dante Suffredini, Jonathan Juliano and Derek Makimaa all had two assists and Declan Conway and Josh Colten each had a goal and an assist. These two teams are right back at it tonight for the final game before the Christmas break. Face-off at Big Boy Arena is set for 6:05 PM. For Motor City, it's a chance to sweep the weekend and take six big points, righting the ship after a tough stretch.
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