New Britain herald., 1927-12-16


 Games Tonight
 New Britain at Meriden.
 Nallingford at Holyoke.
 The Meriden Maroons are no long Ar at the top of the standing in the American Roller Hockey league fol- lowing their meeting last night with New Britain at the Stanley Arena Tn this city. The Hardware City quln- tet, continuing its marvellous work Of earlier in the week. whirled through to a to victory over the Silver City contingent in one of the most exciting games seen on the local rink this season. Merlden has now dropped down from a tie for first place 10 third in the standing
 The New Britain team started last Monday night after a reorganization, 10 show a dazzling speed against Wallingford and the team romped home an easy winner. Last night meeting the full strength of the champions of last year with the great Steve Pierce back at his post in center, the Hardware City five battled its way through three of the most hectic sessions imaginable to a well earned win.
 Bib" Boucher, scintillating speed demon, and Alexander, his running mate, with each succeeding game show more and more that they are mated to perfection and last night they paired off nicely in both speed and pass work to give Meriden an added push on the slippery tobog- gan towards the celler. Boucher started the game at first rush and later on, Alexander changed posi- tions with him. Either man was able 10 outspeed Williams, Meridcn's clashy leader, and both did that very thing.
 Once again, although too much cannot be said of the clever work of the two rushors, New Britain can attribute its victory in a great meas ure to the sterling work of it's de- fensive trio, Muirhead, Brown and Blount. The drives that Blount stopped were again few because Of the excellent work of Muirhead and Brown in stopping plays before they reached New Britain's cage. When the Meriden forwards did get the ball in position for q shot, they found an impenetrable stopping fool' in Bill Blount who was never any better than he was last night.
 In the third period. Gid" Brown La1 driven at top speed by Williams, Meriden rusher Browns eye was split near the cheek and the swelling completely closed it. He retired from the floor with 13 minutes to go and was treated by Dr. John l.. Kelly and with only one good eye but a. heart as stout as oak, he returned to the battle and carried on the attack even better than he did before the injury. The eyeball was not affected by the accident and except for q beautiful "shiner" he will be In shape for further conquests.
 Murhead was everywhere on the floor last night. He was stationed at center but he watched the forwards in floor work. His passes and his handling or the ball were marvellous 10 watch. He worked to perfection with tho two wondermen, Boucher and Alexander.
 New Britain demonstrated last night that it has well-balanCed team. A lightning-like attack through Boucher and Alexander, coupled with a perfect pivot man in Mnirhead and g. tough defense In Brown and Blount, makes 1t one of the most feared teams in the league.
 The Neriden team was all that has been said Of it, The quintet worked f1>sd for win and only the hardest sort < work on New Brit9in's part kept them from scoring victory. Steve Pierce bore out the truth of his reputation as the best player in the game while Williams and Lunde- vile were everywhere on the floor. Morrison and Purcell formed tough defense that only the fastest kind of work could penetrate,
 New Britain fought not only the Meriden team but also the "hreaks' of the game. Five goals were shot into the net only to have them come out. These "outs' almost cost the local qulntet the game, One appear d to have been yanked out by Pur- cell but Referee Mcdonald failed to see it that way.
 Only one foul was called in fhe game and that vas on Brown. The five man work of the local team kept every player right on top of his Meriden opponent and made it a great spectacle The game was re- plate with daring blocks of drives, with neat pass work and with speedy skating by both teams. + was a great contest and does credit 10 both outfits.
 New Britain 'nvades Mertden To- night 10 meet the Maroons on their home floor A large delegation of rooters plans 10 accompany he local team 10 the Silver City. Another hectic battle is expected