Halifax Floor Hockey LeagueThis week saw three games go according to plan and one wild wild west shoot out that might just surprise!
Sabres vs Slayers
Game one saw the league's numero uno team facing off against the last place Sabres. In this round one match up, no one gave the Sabres a chance as the regular season stats told it all. But this was anything but a walk over here folks. The Sabres matched up well and her;d their own until the 3rd, when the Slayers were able to grab 2 goals to which the Sabres could not respond. Both keepers played great and gave their teams a chance in this one. But the Slayers would not be denied in this one and they took home a 5-3 win.
Notables for the Slayers were Shanti Dogra who had a goal and an assists, while the Sabres were led by the Mcguigan boys, with two points each. Rumor has it that this is Cory Mcguigans last game for a while as he has signed a contract with the EFHL's (European Floor Hockey League) Whiffle Demons out of Frankfurt Germany. Cory will be missed but we will anxiously await his return. Good Cory!
Bulldogs vs Titans
This 1st round match up was destined to be a route right from the start. The Dogs were missing two of their top guns in Mark Duggan, who was a last minute scratch and Jeff Sheppard, who is nursing an upper body injury from last weeks game. It would be a tall order for anyone to face off against the leagues most prolific scoring machine and unfortunately for the Dogs this was not going to change tonight.
Led by Caines, Cross and one wade Mullen, the Titans amassed a grand total of 13 gaols after three periods while the undermanned and overpowered Dogs mustered 6 goals of their own. Enough to best two other teams tonight but just not enough to get past the Titans.
Notables for the Titans were Mullen with 4 goals, Cross with 4 goals and a helper and Gord Caines who grabbed 3 goals and 3 assists. The titans next game will be against the .... you'll have to wait and see!
Titans win this game 13-6
Lynx vs Fire
These two teams finished 4th and 5th and faced off tonight in a classic battle on the big floor.
The Fire welcomed back their long lost sniper Alex Gale, which proved to be the difference maker in this one. The Lynx were missing one of their top gains in Ken Heidman who underwent season ending surgery last week after sustaining an injury in a non-hockey related incident.
This one was close, but Gale blew into town and led the way with 4 goals and an assist. Add a goal by his brother Eric and goals from Tyrrell and Haddad and there are your 7 goals.
At the other end the bright stars were Matt Clarke who had 2 helpers and one time Baby Face Bryce Keating who scored 2 gaols and shows signs of maturing...of maybe that's a stretch ;-) but improving as each season goes by.
The Fire were just too much for the Lynx tonight and as a result took home the 7-4 win
Chill vs Hackers
Well here was the game of the night for sure. Not sure I would have guessed it before hand though. The last time these guys met, the Hackers dominated the Chill in the latter part of the game and crushed them by a score of 11-4.
Tonight saw the Hackers come out of the gate grabbing the first 2 goals and the route was on...or was it? The Chill stayed close grabbing one of their own and after the first it was 2-1 Hackers.
The Chill came out in the second led by league late comer Tony Casella who scored two goals early but the Hackers are the force right? they answered back with three goals and took a 5-3 lead into the third.
The third saw Kane step it up and shut the Hackers down while his team mates Dave Colburne who scored the 4th goal and then tied it up with a late period goal by Casella off a feed from Mark Mcguigan. This one was all tied up after 3 periods...so off to a short out we go!
Each team picked 5 shooters and the game within the game was on. First up Matt Power. He tried to deke Kane but shovelled the ball past the net. Next was Pittman, the junior, who tried to beat Boudreau on his own deke but Boudreau stood tall and we were still tied.
Next was Gill Mombo...who danced in hair in place and pulled to his back hand but Kane threw out his leg and kicked the ball aside. Game still tied. The Chill sent Chard Banks down the middle and he tried to deke as well but couldn't beat Boudreau. still tied folks
Third shooter for the Hackers was Sean Fitzgerald who came in and also went to his backhand. He appeared to beat Kane but out came the glove and the ball just rolled out of harms way. Enter Tony Casella, who came down and shiot rather then seeking and just beat Boudreau outstretched glove tucking the ball into the lower part of the net. Chill have lead.
The Hackers sent Erc Eisener to the well but came up empty just missing the outside part of the net.
Last shooters were Mark Mcguigan and Cooper. Mcguigan can seal it with a goal, down the court he goes, dipsy first, doodle second, he is patient but Boudreau is too, Mcguigan goes to his back hand and bounces the ball off the outside of the post.
Last shot belongs to Hackers money man Dave Cooper. Cooper comes straight at it no holds barred. He stays in the centre and gets close enough to let a snap shot go...ping! Off the post, and this one is in the record books as a win for the Chill.
This was a great game with high emotions and some good hockey.
Chill advance to the semis with a surprise win over the Hackers. This was the Chills second playoff win in a row against the Hackers as they pulled off another upset last season in the finals against the juggernaut. Way to go Chill!
Kane stopped 20 shots in the third and all bested all 5 shots in the shoot out giving him this week's Eastside Mario's Player of the week honours. Way to go old man!
So the match ups are decided for the semis and will see the following:
Chill vs Slayers
Fire vs Titans
These both could be great games or blow outs, but we will have to see what happens on Monday.
This is Billy Concarney saying so long and be well folks!