Grim Reapers Hockey Club

RISE OF THE REAPER
Since Russian bots seized control of this page we have gone dark. However our crack intelligence team was able to free ourselves from their clutches. A few thousand Bitcoin in ransomware certainly helped too.

Light Reaper Team Edges an Even Lighter Gut Check Team.
The Reapers, playing with a short bench, beat Gut Check 6-4. To be fair, GC didn't even have a bench - nope- just 5 guys that skated the entire game. We really should have buried them but Oh well, they don't has how, they ask how many - and we got 6!

John Copper led the way with 4 goals - Sean the beast, picked up one and Richie "i'm running a bit late" added one, but it was the miraculous return of Anthony Anaszewicz who picked up the Hat's Off Award. Anaszewicz, known for his ferocious forecheck, slipped back to D to make room for the reunification of Sean and Copper. Sean pulled off his own Game 7 Willis Reed moment, by limping into the locker room just minutes before the anthem and inspired the boys with his dominance, but then reinjured his previously undisclosed lower body injury and is likely back on the shelf again. Team pharmacist dispensed some meds immediately following. Sean has been placed on the DL, eta of 4-6 weeks. Management is looking at who has earned a call up to the big club. Be sure to follow us on twitter for all the late breaking Reaper news.

Regretzkys Top Reapers 4-1
The Grim Reapers dropped a 4-1 decision to the summer league regular season champions, Regretzkys 4-1. Regretzkys came out storming, as they did in the summer semi final game, eventually building a 3-0 lead. With 3 lines, the Reapers did start to change the tide, however unlike in the semi final game, the Reapers were without a few of their big guns - Philp, Anderson and Shaw and could not close the gap.

At the start of the 3rd, the boys in black loaded up the first line, putting Choo Choo Timmerman and Dean The Machine Bernardini along with John Copp. They dominated every time they were on the ice and it paid off as Bernardini jammed home a rebound cutting the score to 3-1, early in the 3rd. It appeared the Reapers would be making a comeback, as the Regretzkys took back to back penalties, giving the Reapers a 2 man advantage. However they could not capitalize and shortly after the last penalty the Regretzkys put the game away, making the final score 4-1.

Reaper Ramblings
Bernardini, a hard bargaining free agent made his season debut and was awarded the Hat's Off Award for his tireless effort. Bernardini played one game in 2017, but was a holdout this summer. Dave Bradley started in goal for the Reapers and kept the boys in the game. Bradley, who last suited up for the Reapers in 2012, leading them to the Championship in the inaugural season, came out of retirement to fill in for the injured Jeff Engelmann. Nothing the promise of a six of bud can't accomplish.

Sloppy Reapers Drop 7-4 Decision
The Reapers played a very sloppy game in their early season rematch with the Czech Golems. Even though the Golems only had 7 skaters, they blasted out to an early 4-0 lead, with all four goals coming off Reaper miscues. The Reapers finally got their game going later in the first, when Anthony Anaszewicz popped in a rebound. This was followed up by his centerman, John Copp who quickly cut the lead in half heading into the second. However, the Golems were the only ones to tickle the twine in the middle frame and took a 5-2 lead into the 3rd. Mark Anderson got one back for the boys in black, making the score 5-3 with about 6 minutes to go. Just when it looked the Reap would sow another comeback Brian Choo Choo Timmerman got into a shoving match and got tossed. Loosing one of their hardest skaters didn't help the cause. Jeff Shaw, understudy to Sean Philp filled in nicely and picked up a goal, but the Golems got an empty net goal as the clock rand down, to close out the night.
Reaper Ramblings
1A goalkeeper Jeff Engelmenn is still sidelined with a lower body injury. 1B goalkeeper, Jim Davidson stood tall and was awarded the Hat's Off Award for this solid play. The Reapers don't resume play until October 11 as the circus is in town. Jimmy proudly displaying le chapeau and looking quite pensive in the other photo.

Reapers Double Up NWF
The Grim Reapers beat NWF 4-2 in a rematch of this Summer League's Championship game. While NWF edged the Reapers 1-0 in that close fought battle, the Reapers pretty much handled NWF the entire contest. Tomas Zubek opened the scoring on a fine pass from down low from Ricky Bobby, which Zubek one timed into the far side. Jim Anderson then sent a laser from the point that eluded the NWF goalkeeper, doubling the Reapers lead. The Reap pretty much dominated the first period, looking to take a 2-0 lead into the second, but a bad bounce sent NWF star Boitven in all alone on netminder Mark Franceschina, who stoned him with a blocker save with only 4 seconds remaining in the period.

NWF got one back, before Sean Philp finished off a nice passing play in the 3rd from Christopher Homerin, who dished one out to Philp from behind the net for an easy tap in. Ricky Bobby, off to his best start since his rookie season, added the 4th goal on a rush down the left boards. He let a shot go from the top of the circle which the goalie saved, but Ricky followed up his shot with a strong drive to the net and fired in the rebound sealing the deal.

REAPER RAMBLINGS
The Reapers continued their strong all around play, solidified by a D-Corp of the Anderson Boys (Mark & Jim) Eric Strickland and veteran Mike Lenzi. All three lines were effective, but it was emergency backup goalie Franceschina who came away with the Hat's Off Award for his timely saves, especially the one with 4 ticks of the clock left. The Reapers are now 2-1 and face off against Golems, the traveling Czech club in RMAHL action Sunday night.

Depleted Reapers Fall to Regretzkys
The Grim Reapers, ravaged by early season injury and travel, only was able to ice two lines for their match with the Regretzkys. The Regretzkys, regular season champs, with only 4 losses last season, were unceremoniously dumped in semi final action by the Reapers. Regretzkys sought revenge for their early exit of the summers post season, and found it beating the Reap 7-4 in RMAHL action. Mike Lenzi and Eric Stickland provided some offense from the back end while the Reap battled all night. Ricky Bobby took home the Hat's Off Award for his hard skating effort. Ricky's off to a splendid start, now that his injury plagued season is behind him. Must be a contract year!

Reapers Kick off Season with 7-4 Victory Over Golems

The Grim Reapers won a very hard fought game, 7-4 over the Golems. In their home opener, the Reapers fell behind early as Golems came out flying and with their tape to tape passes, really had the Reapers on their heals. After the Reapers tied it up, Golems took the lead again and carried it into the second period. However, the boys in black stuck to their game and started to take control thru the middle stanza. Goals by Frankie "Sticks" Santaniello (2), Sean "The Straw" Philp and Bobby "Never Ages" Chester pushed the Reapers past Golems 4-2 thru the second period.

Jeff Shaw fired a bullet early in the third giving the Reapers a seemingly comfortable 5-2 lead, but the Golems immediately struck back. However, Christopher Homerin finished a gorgeous passing play started by Philp, who carried the puck over the offensive blueline, and deftly slowed up, took one cut to the middle and then made a nifty drop pass to a late arriving Mark Anderson. Anderson scooped up the puck, took a stride to his right and with a clear shot at the Golem netminder instead threaded a pass to Homerin on the back door who one-timed it into the open net. Santaniello finishing the hattrick and scoring by putting the Reap back up by 3.

Reaper Ramblings - Jim Davidson filled in aptly for Jeff Englemann who incurred a lower body injury in the preseason. Englemann is expected to be out at least another 4 weeks. Ricky Bobby played one of his best games in some time - hard on the puck, feet moving, letting his talent take over the game- and it showed! At age 74 Bob Chester became the oldest RMAHL player to score in a league game. Bobby not only buried one from slot but was quick on his feet, with his stick in lanes all night. His fine two way play earned him the Hat's Off Award. The boys has a wonderful party at Dave and Lucy Putlaks house on Sudnay. the Party was well attended and it always fun to get the spouses involved. thanks putlaks for such a great time! Finally, we liked to apologize for the lack of features and editorials over the past season on this site. It seems our site was hacked by Russian bots. We think everything has been since straightened out and you can look forward to your game by game updates right here on this Reaper Station at the Same Reaper time. Game two is Sunday night at 1050 at West Meadows Ice Arena.

What a fantastic time we had this year in Kalamazoo! After dropping our first game 5-3, we won both matches on Saturday. Started the day with a big 6-3 victory, then only 4 hours later earned a hard fought 5-4 win. The last game was one of the most intense and satisfying wins the Grim Reaper's ever experienced. What a great group of guys and welcome to Brandon Link and Anthony Anaszewicz who fit in perfectly, always putting team first. Our best ever finish, both on and off the ice! Jeff Engelmann picked up the Hat's Off Award in game one, John Copp for game two and Jiri Klimes for our third game, but it was Eric Strickland who took home the hat for the entire weekend.Job well done, Eric!

Reapers Edge Warpigs
The Grim Reapers showed resilience once again with a last minute victory over the Warpigs. Skating with only seven forwards the Reapers maintained pace with the pigs who shot out to a 2-0 lead. The Reap cut the lead in half on a goal mouth scramble by Robert Cavanaugh, jamming home the loose puck.
However, the pigs restored their 2 goal lead midway through the match, setting up an exciting 3rd. The Reapers battled back, getting a goal from Richie Bobbie, before John Copp tied the match with just under four minutes to go, after a nice feed from Mark Anderson. Mike Lenzi finished the chilling comeback with the game winner with only 1:36 to go in the contest, earning the Hat's Off Award. The Reapers remained locked in a first place tie with Steelhead, with both teams having matching records of 6-1-1.

Reapers Battle to a Tie
The Grim Reapers battled Steelhead in a thrilling, back and forth 5-5 tie. The Reapers jumped out in front early, only to find Steelhead getting two goals back and then taking the lead. However, the boys in black kept the pace and picked up the next two goals, to put the good guys back on top 3-2 in the second.

Steelhead proved why they are undefeated and kept the pressure on through the second period, firing off three quick goals, taking a 5-3 lead. Then it was the Reapers turn to prove why they sit atop the league in a tie with Steelhead, by getting two goals, knotting the game at 5.

The third period was scoreless, though the Reapers carried the play in the third. Steelhead took a penalty with 36 seconds left in regulation and following a timeout to rest the big guns, the Reapers dominated the closing seconds of regulation and picked up where they left off in the 3 on 3 OT. However they couldn't crack the Steelhead goalkeeper and the game ended in a 5-5 tie. The Reapers oushot Steelhead 36-34. Steelhead's record is 5-0-1, while the Reap sit at 5-1-1. Sean Philp had two goals, with contributions also coming from John Copp, Mike Lenzi and Dean Hutchings. Mark Anderson took home the Hat's Off Award for his relentless attack - both on offense and on the backcheck.

Grim Reapers Cheat Death
The Grim Reapers buried Creeping Death, 6-1 in RMAHL action. After surrendering an early goal on a defensive zone breakdown, the Grim Reapers tallied 6 times routing Death and maintaining their first place tie with Steelhead. Sean Philp, Tomas Zubek, John Copp (2), Mark Anderson and Dean Hutchings scored for the Reapers. Hutchings had his strongest offensive output of the season, and likely his career, registering 31 shots on goal, shattering the old Reaper record of 9 SOG. While his shooting percentage may have taken a hit, his stellar all 'round play earned him the Hat's Off Award.

Reapers Cut Diamonds
The Grim Reapers ran their record to 4-1 with a 4-1 victory of Diamond Jim, continuing pace with Steelhead atop the league standings. Sean Philp picked up two goals, John Copp and Bryan Timmerman rounded out the scoring. Timmerman took home the Hat's Off Award for the second time in the young season. The Reapers are off till October 18, when they take on Creeping Death.

Reaper Down Warpigs 7-2
The Grim Reapers moved into a tie for first place with a 7-2 killing of the Warpigs, moving their record to 3-1 on the young season. The Reapers outshot the pigs 29-20 and the match was never really contested. Newly signed Jeff Shaw netted two goals and a nifty backhand pass from behind the cage to Dave Putlak cruising to the net. Putlak put a one-timer past the goalkeeper. Chooch Chooch Timmerman opened the scoring jamming in a rebound from the goalies right after a scramble early in the first created by the relentless forecheck of Frankie Sticks. Reaper D contributed, with Dean Hutchings scoring as well. A couple opportunistic plays led to a pair of goals by the aging forward. One of the pad, deflected pass the goalie- far side and the second after a nifty passing play from Sticks and Chooch. Shaw took home the Hat's Off Award and looks to be the leading free agent signing of the season.
Reaper Ramblings
Pete Ostrowski made his return after suffering a broken jaw in non-league play. Surprisingly, Pete was now wearing a full cage. However, the sick bay door swings both way as Ricky Bobbie went under the knife for a meniscal repair. He's expected to be out 4-6 weeks. Of course, first he will go on rehab assignment in Rockford - or at least get the rust off with that other team he plays for before suiting up for the Reap. The Reapers are back home against Diamond Jim Sunday 640pm. Grilling to immediately follow.