Since losing their first two games of the season, the Keane Chill were on a roll. They had reeled off three straight victories to vault them into third place overall. Their success could be attributed to a number of factors, but none more important than the sensational play of second-year goaltender Ryan "Arms" MacDonald.
MacDonald, who had led the Lite-Sabres to the finals in 1999B as a rookie, has been in virutal hibernation since his scintillating debut. But his reemergence in 2001A sent gave the Chill the shot in the arm they so desperately needed.
However, it was a different sort of wake up call that MacDonald provided to his teammates last Friday morning. One day after leading his team to victory over the ADC Lynx, MacDonald and his doctor gave team captain Michael Griffiths the devastating news. MacDonald had sustained torn cartilage in his knee, and had a possible torn MCL that would require a scope. His season was over.
Fortunately for the Chill, they are not lacking in goaltenders. Between Griffiths, third-string goaltender Peter Rankin, and emergency goalie Barrie Harvey, they have over 40 games worth of regular season experience behind them. Griffiths, who played in goal in the Chill's season opener, has hinted that it would be he who would be starting in their next match.
Whether Griffiths, Rankin, or Harvey starts in goal, the Chill will face their toughest challenge of the season Thursday night against the revitalized LAN Hackers, who once again are on a roll after a mediocre start to the season.