Halifax Floor Hockey League
Hey Ho everyone. I am Billy Concarney with our last news story for the 2015 A season...and what a season it has been. So with out anymore fanfare, let's get at it!
This past week saw the Hackers face off against the Titans for the newly revamped and expanded HFHL Cup at Stad Arena Large Floor. The lines were drawn and the teams were ready to RUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMBBBBLLLLEEEE, and this was set to be a great game.
The Titans became a huge contender with their late season acquisition of one of the league's prolific goalies in Chris "Big C" MacKinnon. They had depth on the blue line and some fire power up front. They proved their worth in the semis as they toppled the hot Lynx rather easily.
The Hackers finished on top of the league for a reason. With some steady goal tending from Boom Boom Boudreau and the offensive leadership of Dave "I'm Super" Cooper, these guys would be the team to beat.
The ball was dropped and the game began. The first period was pretty smooth. Both teams had some chances and the goalies came up with some great saves, but the Hackers picked up a pair from Shaun "Goody Goody Yum Yum" Goodwin and finished the period up by a score of 2-1. It was anyone's game at this point.
Drop the ball for the second. It was once again back and forth, but Dave Cooper stepped up as he has so often in clutch moments and scored all three goals for the period, yes a natural "hatty"! But the drama really came about midway through the second. There was a scramble in the crease for the ball and Paul Chang in all of the excitement grabbed the ball in his hand and handed it to his goalie. The whistle blew and the Titans were awarded a penalty shot. When questioned about the call, the ruling was pretty clear. If a player closes his hand on the ball in the crease, then it is automatically a penalty shot. In order to pick the ball up and give it to Boudreau, Chang had to do just that.
So with tension so thick you could cut it with a Scott Cross Snapshot, the stage was set. Cross lined up at centre and carried the ball towards Boudreau who was anxiously waiting to see what Cross would do.
Cross has one of the best shots in the league...or the world for that matter! (ok, that was an exaggeration) but he opted to deke. When he got close enough Cross went one way and tried to draw Boudreau along with him, while Cross dragged his stick and the ball to the other side. Boudreau however read the move in a book last week and shut the front door on Cross. This was arguably the turning point in the game.
After 2, the Hackers had a 5-1 lead.
The Third brought a push from the Titans. They scored first and then second and appeared to have the Hackers on their heels. But the Hackers were not going to be denied this night as they had a clincher goal added to the score sheet by Tom "the Fiery Bird Thingy" Griffiths. This all but ended any hope of a come back and the Hackers won yet another championship outscoring the Titans 6-3. The Titans just could not get the scoring chances or the shots they needed to take control of this game. They only mustered 22 shots...one of the lowest counts of the season.
the Hackers on the other hand had some great scoring chances, namely for Cooper, who did not miss much. Despite a valiant effort from McKinnon, it was just not in the cards for the Titans.
So there you have it guys. The Hackers won from the gate and once again Dave Cooper showed his drafting abilities as he fielded a team that were too much for everyone to handle this season.
Congratulations to the Hackers for winning the 34th season championships.
Thanks for a great season everyone and please register if you are coming back.
This is Billy Concarney saying so long and from all of us here at the HFHL News and all around the league...
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Be well folks!
