In the last game of the season, and second in as many nights, the Cobras jumped to an 8-1 lead by the middle of the third, powered by Jim Mucciaccio's fourth Hat Trick of the season, and two goals apiece from Anders Visconti and Jim Torchia.

Spectrum seemed to have the Cobras charmed at the opening face-off, setting up in the offensive zone and scoring on their first shot of the game to gain a 1-0 lead. The Cobras responded on the next shift as defenseman Abe Ziady carried the puck into the zone and fed Jim M. streaking down the right side, who fired the puck past the Spectrum goaltender for his team leading 21st goal of the season.

From the ensuing face-off, Jim M. entered the zone, but had the puck knocked off of his stick by the Spectrum defense. Anders, trailing the play, picked up the loose puck and shot it through the goaltender's legs to put the Cobras up for good, 2-1.

But the scoring didn't stop there. Jim T. would score two goals by the end of the period, on identical plays. Coming off of the right side boards, Jim T. deked his way to the front of the net and beat the netminder cleanly with a rising backhand.

"Jim's M.O. is patience." said Team Captain Jon "Vroom" Vredevoogd. "Jim stickhandles with confidence, and when uncontested, he forces the goalie to make the first move. I've seen him score that goal many times before. All I can say is I'm glad he's on our side."

Cobra Forward Nick Freed, Jim T.'s linemate, disagrees. "Sure, patience is a big part of his game, but his real secret is his equipment. It smells. BAD. Bad enough that it actually repells the opposition. Jim's god-awful stench from hell can make you cringe, and in that instant, he beats you. All I can say is I'm glad he's on our side."

When reached for comment, Jim curiously smelled his own glove, and passed out.

The game lost much of it's flow in the second period, with the only goal scored by Angelo "Demoe" Demartino on a shorthanded breakaway, to put the Cobras ahead 5-1. With the game slipping away, Spectrum raised the level of their physical play, inspiring the Cobras to do the same. The penalties were numerous and continuous as Spectrum was awarded three power-plays and two 5-3s, during which they could only muster one shot on net.

But the teams were evened up in the third, which allowed the Cobras to do even more damage. Intent on protecting the lead, Cobras defensemen Steve Pratt, Yves Maynard, Mike Kirschner, Abe, and Vroom concentrated on clearing the zone quickly, which caught Spectrum forwards off-guard, and eventually led to a bevy of odd-man breaks.

Jim M. ended his season with two more goals on consecutive shots, including a wraparound goal just two minutes into the period to push the lead to 7-1. At the halfway mark of the third, from the left boards at the goal line, John L. shook off a defenseman and fed a wide open Anders in front of the net, who tipped the puck past the goalie's glove for his third goal in two games.

Oddly enough, the Cobras seemed incredibly out of synch after the goal, and allowed three straight Spectrum goals due to bad line changes, and an apparent premature celebration.

"We fell apart at the end." said Vroom. "The game was winding down, and with just under two minutes left, we were all tired, and just waiting for the game to end. We got a little lazy in our own zone and hung Chico out to dry. Luckily by that time, Spectrum didn't really have a chance to catch up."

Backup goaltender Gary "Chico" Esterman played his second game for the Cobras, and now has a 2-0-0 record with the team.

Next stop: The Playoffs!