Halifax Floor Hockey League
The Lynx got the early jump in what proved to be a very spirited game. Leading the offensive attack for the Lynx was Jay Allison, whose surgically precise stickhandling and shooting left many jaws dropped. With time running out in the second period, the Lynx had the momentum and a two-goal lead. But a hailmary goal from behind half from Hacker bruiser Darren Derocher with mere seconds left in the period brought the Hackers to within one entering the final frame.
After being outplayed for most of the first two periods, the Hackers knew they could still pull it out with a good third period. Dubbed as the "Florida" of the final by some observer's, the third period proved to provide everything from big goals, big saves, a penalty and controversy. With the Hackers still trailing but applying pressure the in the third, the Lynx were given a warning for body contact. Control was returned to the Hackers as a result, and league-leading scorer Shawn Currie took the opportunity to score his fourth goal of the game. The Lynx bench, still fuming over the warning call, expressed their discontent by tossing a water bottle at the feet of referee Chris McMaster, who in turned call a questionable two-minute bench minor on the Lynx. The Hackers promptly went on to score on the ensuing powerplay.
Earlier in the game, a Lynx goal started by a borderline high-stick by Lynx forward Scott Ferguson threw the Hackers faithful into an uproar. As did a second period call on a apparent goal by Hacker John Price. Replays proved inconclusive (because there are no replays) on a shot the Hackers claimed went under the crossbar. Also, early in the third period, an apparent Lynx goal was waved off after the referee ruled that Hackers goaltender John Dulong had shown control of the ball.
As the third period wound down, the Hackers were down by one and looking for a hero. And it was the workhorse of the Hackers team, underrated forward Steve Schumph, who stepped up scoring the final two goals of the game, giving the Hackers a razor-thin 12-11 victory and their fourth consecutive title.
A disgruntled Allison, the purported thrower of the water bottle, vowed to exact his revenge on McMaster. "I will hunt Goldielocks down and wring his neck!" When McMaster was made aware of Allison's threats, McMaster replied "I'm not afraid, I'll just dye my hair back and that should confuse him. Knowing his microscopic IQ, he'll never be able to find me."
Thanks to all for another successful season. See you in 2001A.
