The 2023 season starts off with a rematch from last year's finals with the Mariners taking on the Diesels. The Mariners get on the board first with Rhett scoring from sub Ryan Pearson. 3 minutes later we are able to strike again with Jones knocking one in from the top of the crease. A few minutes later last years shootout hero Dennis Koehler one times another great pass from Pearson to put us up 3-0 after 1. Early in the second Luebke scores on a breakaway extend the lead to 4-0. That was the point where Andy had enough and closed the door making what felt like 10 straight breakaway saves. That woke up the Diesels as they put in the next 3 to get the game back to 4-3. We finally got back on track when Korepta manages to break Andy's wall and put us up 5-3. The diesels keep battling and get one more with the net empty but ultimately we hold on for the 5-4 win behind some great goaltending from Gadulka and excellent sun defense from Mr hockey Jesus himself Nick Menard. Big thanks to Menard and Pearson for subbing. 

Finals rematch with a lot of familiar faces on the Mariners squad.  Diesels had only 1 returning veteran, so things were going to be tough for the Black and Yellow. Boy was it!  Diesels barely get out of their own zone for the first period and find themselves down 3-0 after one. More of the same in the second period as they give up another to make it 4 straight. About midway through the Diesels finally start to settle down and play hockey. There was a bit of a momentum shift and late in the second Sharlow finds Deroche who tucks it between Gadulka's five-hole. Down 3 to start the third the Diesels continue to sting some good shifts. A timely penalty early on puts the Diesels on the powerplay.  Leave it to Radl and Deke to control the play and find B-Thomas for the PP goal!  Down 2 now and still plenty of time on the clock. More cycling in the offensive zone for the Diesels as Sharlow and Deroche lull the Mariners to sleep while Deke finds a seam in the slot to get fed a beauty for the quick snapper five-hole again!  4-3 and much like the tale of the Diesels' past, it was looking like another epic comeback. Mariners love playing spoiler though and tallied another security goal the next shift. Diesels down by 2 with 6 minutes to play. Gadulka stands strong for most of the Diesel assault. B-Thomas delivers another one with the goalie pulled, but that would be the extent of the comeback shortfall. Andy was stellar in net keeping us in the game and facing far too many breakaways. If the Diesels can string together 3 periods, watch out!