Tuesday December 6

(4)Icons vs Bramabulls(3)

Icons start strong, Hold on for 4-3 won over Bramabulls

Rather than starting the game complacent, the Icons were an energized squad in the first period, outscoring the Bramabulls 2-0. The Bramabulls appeared to be in better form by the second notching three out of the four goals to tie the game at three. While the momentum seemed to be going their way, P.Assadi quelled some of the worries by providing a go ahead marker for the Icons. That goal left just over nine minutes which gave more than enough time for the Bramabulls to respond. But with the game winding down, J.Vrettis made sure this contest ended in regulation time. The net minder was brilliant facing 28 shots to give his club a big win to end the regular season. Both sides had no one score more than once, but J.Gagne did have the most points finishing with three helpers for the Bramabulls.

(5)Team Finland vs Smooth Sailors(4)

Win and you’re in, Finland edges top seed to solidify playoff spot

You never want to have a bad start knowing that your playoff hopes are on the line. Team Finland, who may have needed to win this contest found themselves in an early jam giving up two first period goals that included one shorthanded. But with the Smooth Sailors taking some penalties, Team Finland smelled blood. The next three goals all came with the man advantage that helped Team Finland claw back into the game. J.Tutino gave his club their first lead with his first of two on the night, and just like that, this contest was shifting in the right direction for Team Finland. However, there was still some work to be done with the game leveled at four goals apiece. The Smooth Sailors looked once more to M.Testolina to bail them out as the spark plug collected four points that included the equalizer with just over two minutes remaining. At that point, the question became can Team Finland pull out another rabbit out of the hat. After last week’s remarkable comeback versus the Smackdaddys, the magic still translated into this game when M.Raimondo bagged his clubs biggest goal of the night. Raimondo scored with only 40 seconds left on the clock and Team Finland didn’t need to worry on what the Smackdaddys did in their game versus the Bramabulls as they find themselves playing next week in a best of three series.

(4)Smackdaddys vs Bramabulls(8)

Bramabulls end season strong, Smackdaddys down after Team Finland win

The Smackdaddys didn’t have the right mind set entering this game versus the Bramabulls. Knowing that they were officially eliminated fromm a playoff berth, this contest had meaning for only one club. The Bramabulls needed to erase what happened earlier versus the Icons by getting back to their winning habits. After a 2-2 first period, the Bramabulls parted ways outscoring the Smackdaddys 6-2.E.Paquin and A.Mirolla each scored twice that saw both players combine for eight points. This result gives the Bramabulls a 6-4 regular season record, identical to the Icons as both sides will face one another in the semi finals.

The SalumiVino player of the night goes to Marco Raimondo of Team Finland. With only 40 seconds left in the game, Raimondo couldn’t come through at a better time providing the game winning goal and a playoff spot for his club.

Four very good teams will be going at it in a best of three semi finals on Tuesday December 13. The match ups are as follows:

(1)Smooth Sailors vs Team Finland(4) Two losses in ten games seems nice for the Smooth Sailors. But with their last defeat belonging to Team Finland, the overall standings may mean absolutely nothing. Finland is hot after pulling out two incredible wins. The Sailors also have something special going on, and that is the scoring leader of the division M.Testolina.

(2)Icons vs Bramabulls(3)Both sides have a ton of players. This series will come down to player management. P.Chiotis and A.DiPerna will need to make quick and sharp decisions over the course of the two or three potential games to see who will come out on top.