Monday August 16

Hart Foundation put up solid challenge vs heavy favourite Punishers

If there is one thing teams learned over the season is that the Punishers don’t have issues scoring goals. The Hart Foundation understood this which forced them to trade chances in order to keep it competitive. After a slow start flooring a depleted line-up, the writing was already on the wall for the Hart Foundation, who dug themselves in an early hole with nobody to rescue them. The second game was very different that saw both sides trade plenty of shots that featured high end chances. Once P.Karvouriaris buried his second, the Punishers felt confident riding a two goal lead with four minutes remaining. Normally, they would be putting games out of reach long before that, but credit to the Hart Foundation as they stuck through it for nearly the entire game.

(2)Hart Foundation vs Punishers (6)

(6)Punishers vs Hart Foundation (2)

Orient use 5 second period goal explosion to down Classics

One good period just didn’t cut it for the Classics. It looked as though these teams would have kept it close but that just wasn’t the case with the Orient outplaying the Classics as of the second period. In only two minutes and change, the Classics fell apart and never really recovered the rest of the way. M.David and H.Awada contributed with a pair of goals each and T.Chouinard was nearly flawless expect for once during the two games. The Classics didn’t help their cause in the ensuing match as some lack of disciple sent them to the penalty box too many times. Two out of the Orient’s three goals came with the man advantage courtesy of H.Awada and A.Sayed, and for a second straight game, T.Chouinard was rock solid preserving a clean sheet.

(1)The Classics vs Orient(5)

(3)Orient vs The Classics(0)

S.Ruggiero blasts late winner, RCGT Knights avenge earlier loss to Bad Guys inc

The RCGT Knights turned back the Bad Guys earlier win on a late rally to split their mini-series. Both tallies had eyes as V.Mancini and S.Ruggiero riffled two beauties giving G.Barkley almost no chance. When games are played this tight, anything could happen at any given time. The RCGT Knights, despite dropping a very close contest knew they had it in them to return the favour. It looked like the Bad Guys inc had them on the ropes until the tides shifted almost instantaneously. Special teams played a significant role with A.Lepore striking twice on the power play as did J.Mandracchia. On the flipside, T.Spano got the RCGT Knights on board first with a shorthanded marker. Winning against a team-from the higher division will definitely go a long way for the RCGT Knights, who appear to look ready with the playoffs looming around the corner.

(2)RCGT Knights vs Bad Guys inc(3)

(2)Bad Guys inc vs RCGT Knights(3)

Degenerates struggle on 1-Timer’s fore-checking pressure

One of the more structured teams of the division, the 1 Timer played their games the right way on Monday night versus the Degenerates. The formula wasn’t complicated, but very effective. The Degenerates found out how frustrating it was going up against a side that just didn’t stop getting in their face. Every play was a battle and the space was limited leaving barely any time to keep the ball long enough. The 1 Timer forced their opponent to turn the ball over, and in doing so, capitalised enough times to take the series lead. Much of the second match resembled the first one, except this time the Degenerates got their little run notching three goals in only over a minute. That small sequence enabled them to squeak out a nail biter against a team that was without two key pieces. Even though the games split, the 1 Timer showed how effective they are, and will continue to be a thorn as the season winds down. P-A Surprenant keeps finding a way posting three big goals for the 1 Timer while F.Koch was stellar making plenty of key stops. As for the Degenerates, S.Marricco and D.Charbonneau shared three goals each.

(3)Degenerates vs 1 Timer(5)

(5)1 Timer vs Degenerates(5)

The SalumiVino player of the night goes to Tommy Chouinard of the Orient. After facing 36 shots, the net minder was nearly perfect allowing all but one tally.