Wave suffer first loss of season to Blast, 9-4

The Milwaukee Wave and Blast faced each other for the first time since the Wave left 1st Mariner Arena last March with a decisive 16-7 victory in the 2011 MISL Championship game. The Blast handed the Wave their first loss of the season with 9-4 win improving their road record to 7-0 and overall record to 8-3.

The 74th meeting between the clubs since the rivalry began in the 1992-1993 season showed why they are each leading their respective divisions: the Wave leading the Central Division and the Eastern Division-leading Baltimore Blast. The Wave’s Giuliano Oliviero scored first with an assist by Matt Stewart. Nick Perera scored shortly thereafter off a rebound of Jonathan Greenfield’s shot giving the Wave a 4-0 lead. Later in the quarter the Blast’s Max Ferdinard pulled one back cutting the Wave’s lead to 4-2. The Wave remained on top 4-2 after the quarter of play. The physical play continued into the second quarter with blue cards handed to Wave’s Joe Hammes and the Blast’s Shaun David. The Blast’s Rookie, J.T. Noone, scored his seventh goal of the season with :44 seconds left in the half tying the game.  Scott Buete of the Blast received two penalties for tripping and unsportsmanlike conduct with :09 seconds left. The Wave were unable to score on the powerplay and went into the half tied up.
The Wave started the 3rd quarter on a power play but were unable to capitalize. Both teams defensive pressure held the game scoreless until the end of the quarter when the Blast took its first lead of the game at 6-4 with a goal by Stephan DeRoux. The Blast added a 3 point goal by Pat Healy in the 4th quarter while the Wave was held scoreless in the half.
The Milwaukee Wave plays next on Friday, January 6th at 7p.m. at the US Cellular Arena. They then are on the road for five games before returning home on January 29th.