Sunday December 4 (Quarter-finals)

(8)Romans vs Les Aces(4)

M.Testolina hat trick ensures semi final spot for Romans

It was another spectacular performance for M.Testolina as the Romans were on the right side of a goal fest on Sunday night. Testolina was able to shine for the favorites scoring a hat trick and an assist in what was a crazy game. While the score may indicate a one sided affair, Les Aces were dead even at four goals apiece after two frames. It was only by the mid way mark of the third period where the Romans found a way to pull away. What helped were their two power play goals in just over two minutes. L.Mancini snapped the tie and J.Palmitano increased the lead for his third point of the night. If not for the untimely penalties, Les Aces may have potentially caused a major upset, especially with the way Danny Brousseau was playing, who bagged a hat trick in the second period alone.

(4)Shockers vs Hit List(3)

Third period rally see Shockers erase two goal deficit, win in overtime

Just when the Hit List thought they may have had it, the Shockers stood up instead. The Shockers woke fromm the dead in the third period Sunday, rallying two goals down before scoring in overtime to stun the Hit List. C.Debonis was behind most of what happened for his club to prevail. The consistent forward participated in all three third period goals that included a pair that found its way behind A.Vivas. But as much as he sparked the whole comeback, the Shockers got their last say by another big piece of the puzzle. M.Blackman ended the night and the Hit List’s season just 90 seconds into the sudden death frame. It was a match that both sides took valuable lessons from. The Hit List played well in the first two periods with the help of their captain S.Trudel, who scored twice and provided an assist. Knowing that it takes three full periods, the Hit List couldn’t keep up long enough to shut down their opponents. While the Shockers are glad to advance, they’ll need to keep in mind not to play with fire and start their next games ready and focused.

(3)Lumberjacks vs Nighthawks(2)

Too little too late, Nighthawks fall short

With goals in every frame, the Lumberjacks did everything they needed to do and oust the Nighthawks out of the playoffs . D.Ruiz opened and closed the scoring for the Lumberjacks, who can thank N.Mackeen for keeping them in the entire match. The only slight let down for the net minder came late in the game. The Nighthawks attempted a miracle by getting their first of two goals with less than four minutes remaining. Despite the unlikely comeback, E.Medrano pulled his club within one that still over two minutes left on the clock. Unfortunately, it came a little too late for a club that trailed fromm the very beginning of the contest. The Lumberjacks won a prototypical playoff style game which they hope use in their next round versus the Shockers.

(3)Brew Crew vs Red Nose(8)

Red Rose crack Brew Crew defensive code, punch ticket to semi final

In a very uncharacteristic game, the Brew Crew didn’t know what hit them. Red Nose capitalized twice on the power play and won a decisive second period to blow the game wide open. As expected, N.Delia had a say as the natural sniper put two quick goals together to finish the frame up 5-1.By then, the Brew Crew felt beaten down despite scoring twice in short span. Y.Leroux and M.Bourassa were also a burden for the Brew Crew as both players each tallied twice. Whatever was said prior to the game definitely worked for a side that had only nine players against a full out experienced roster.

The SalumiVino player of the night goes to Matt Blackman of the Shockers. The calm and collective d-man upped his gear at a time of need. M.Blackman helped mount the comeback with an assist before notching his clubs biggest goal of the season in a 4-3 overtime win over the Hit List.

After four grinding battles, four clubs will head off to the next round where things will only get harder. The semi finals are a best of three series that will be played all on the same night. The match ups are as follows:

(1)Romans vs Red Nose(5) Both sides have plenty of fire power up front. Since goal scoring won’t be an issue, what may be a problem for Red Nose is how they’ll keep up in the second game with a shorter roster. Game one for the red machine will be key

(2)Lumberjacks vs Shockers(3) Two young talented teams will see each other more than their girlfriends on a Sunday night. With that, come frustrations as both sides will need to be very disciplined if they plan to advance.