Dogs Toasted, But Not Burned

The first set of playoff games of the 2008A season ended in style with the entire league gathering to watch a shootout between the Bulldogs and Fire. As predicted here last week, the last place Fire proved to be the surprise team of the 2008A playoffs, reeling in the Bloomfield division champs to a 5-5 tie after 2 periods, and surprising them with a 9-9 regulation finish.

League commish Richard Wannamaker was on hand to run the 5-shooter shootout format, which resulted in a 1-1 tie, with first round goals coming from Gino Simmonds and Kevin Shute. Both goalies put on clinics, including a circus-style stop from Fire goalie Graham Dodge, who after being completely fooled by a deke to his left, reached back to the right with his paddle to stop the ball on its way to the open net.

In the end however, Ian Claveau would solve Dodge in the 7th round, leaving Fire captain Rob Tyrell facing a score or go home situation. Tyrell's team leading 29 goals were of no help here however, as Bulldogs goalie Glen Jackson would stand his ground and match all of Tyrell's moves, giving his team the win.

In other action that night, the Titans easily dispatched the Lite-Sabres, who were missing starting goalie Frank Dufour. Captain Dave Blandford put forward an honorable rookie appearance between the pipes, but the talented Titans easily took a 11-3 win to the next round.

The late games seen the Chill cruising past the Hackers 16-9, led by captain Roger Keating's 9-goal performance. The Lynx also became the only underdog team to win a quarter-final, taking advantage of a Slayers squad that was also missing their starting goaltender, Harvey Snelgrove. Journeyman backup Peter Rankin, stepped in to face a 51-shot barrage, but lost 8-6.