Halifax Floor Hockey League
When the Lite-Sabres play the LAN Hackers in a playoff game, you can usually count on two things -- it will be a close game, and it will be low scoring. The two teams took that to a new level on Thursday night when they faced-off for the 2002A championship -- a level that approached the absurd. In fact, it was by far the lowest scoring game in league history. The previous record for fewest goals in a game was 7, when these very same teams played each other in the 2001B playoffs.
The game began with a notable absence from the Hackers line-up. Spiro Bokolas, one of the league's best stickhandlers and the Hackers' second-leading scorer, was back in his home city of Montreal and unable to play.
The first period was highlighted by close-checking and featured few quality scoring opportunities. Both teams were displaying the patience and discipline that got them to the ultimate game. The game's first goal wasn't scored until the 14:10 mark of the first period when Sabres' defenseman Mike Sullivan pinched in from the point, and whacked a shot by Hackers netminder John Dulong. The first period ended with the Sabres enjoying a 1-0 lead after outshooting the Hackers 13-9.
The Hackers, sensing that the game could be decided by a single goal, increased the pressure in the second period. But when Sabre Kathleen MacDonald converted a pretty pass from linemate Dennis Drapeau at the 7:30 mark of the second period, the Sabres had upped their lead to 2-0.
The Hackers had their best chance to score late in the period when Hacker Chris Rafuse found himself with an open net after a scramble left Sabres goaltender Chris McMaster badly out of position. But McMaster somehow managed to get the paddle of his stick on Rafuse's shot, preserving the shutout.
Confusion on the Lite-Sabres bench late in the second period led to a Too Many Men penalty against the Sabres, after Peter Rowe and Jamie Houghton got their signals crossed on a line change. The penalty crossed over into the third period, but a tired Sabres squad somehow managed to stave off the Hackers attack.
The hot temperature in the gymnasium was taking its toll on many of the players in the third period. Temperatures during the day reached 20 degrees celsius in Halifax.
The Hackers continued to press the Sabres in the third period, sensing that they could open the floodgates if they could only beat McMaster and the stingy Sabres defense with the first goal.
On the other end of the floor, Dulong was more than holding up his end of the bargain. Playoff time is Dulong-time, as is evident by his 5 championship rings. His playoff save percentage is a full 30 points higher than his regular season average. Dulong ended the game with a .935 save percentage, the second straight game with a 90%+ mark.
But it was the Sabres defense who stole the show late in the game and the Hackers were not able to beat McMaster. MacDonald was in on both Sabres goal and was the leading scorer for the Sabres for the second straight game.
The Hackers outshot the Sabres 41-31, although both teams managed about the same number of quality scoring opportunities.
McMaster's shutout was the second in league history (Dulong had the other), and the first in playoff history. He faced 77 playoff shots in total and stopped 76 of them.
McMaster was proud of his team's patience and discipline. "We didn't take unnecessary risks, which is what the Hackers were waiting for".
"If you would have told anybody that (Dave) MacKenzie, Rowe and Griffin wouldn't get a single point between them and we would still win, they would tell you were crazy."
Rowe, who's blistering snap shot was inches off during this game, continued his amazing streak of having played 17 games in two seasons without losing. "The Sabres guaranteed the championship when the signed me in the off-season," joked Rowe.
Kathleen MacDonald, who won her first championship, led the Sabres in playoff scoring with seven points. "This one is for Mike Sasco," said MacDonald while holding the trophy after the game, referring to her co-worker who plays for the Keane Fire.
[ Lynx 13 Slayers 9 ]
The ADC Lynx beat the Sunnydale Slayers 13-9 in the consolation game. Story coming soon.
