Sunday August 21(Semi finals)

(7)Icons vs Team Mixed(0) Game 1

Icons get monkey off their back in overwhelming fashion

Finally, can this be the time the Icons get it right? In their last few seasons, P.Chiotis and his troops kept hitting a wall when facing many familiar faces from the other side of the court, but that all changed from the opening faceoff. It took less than 30 seconds for E.Girouard to convince his club that they mean business. With goals from four different players, the Icons ramped up a 4-0 first period lead and never looked back giving Team Mixed nothing what so ever. P.Karvouriaris scored twice and C.Stavriadis made sure to keep his cage clean denying every shot his way. Team Mixed knew that they had almost no chance with different issues leading up to the series. They did try but the energy level couldn’t be matched versus a team that’s been rolling on all cylinders. It was to the point that they decided to throw the towel for the second game handing the Icons an easy spot to the final. With this opponent out of the way, the Icons will focus their attention on one more round to reach their ultimate goal.

(4)HC Mutts vs Lumberjacks(5) Game 1

Lumberjacks rally from 3 goals down to stun HC Mutts

The HC Mutts had a 4-2 third period lead and were eager to take command of the series. However, the party got cancelled in rather stunning fashion by the Lumberjacks. With the help of two feeds provided by D.Ruiz, the Lumberjacks got the tying goal and the winner by the very same S.Denis. Both those tallies came late in the game. The HC Mutts ignited three first period goals, all by their sniper S.Sacco. Most of the match appeared to be going well for the HC Mutts, who never gave up a lead until the dying instance of the game. With this coming as a heartfelt loss, the HC Mutts are forced to see how much character they have knowing that they have to win both games ahead of them.

(1)Lumberjacks vs HC Mutts(4) Game 2

HC Mutts end up showing character, force a third and deciding game

After letting slip away what could have been there’s in the previous encounter, the HC Mutts put it behind them showing plenty of composure in game two. The HC Mutts did trail early but bounced back posting the games next four goals. N.Pereira snapped a late first period tie, and for nearly two full periods, this contest went scoreless until M.Danello gave some breathing room. The Lumberjacks attempted their luck by pulling out N.Mackeen but the magic just wasn’t there. With this result, each side had only 15 minutes to see who would challenge the Icons in the final.

(3)HC Mutts vs Lumberjacks(2) Game 3

HC Mutts pulls it off in down to the wire series

Similar to the previous two games, the tempo was swift early on. This time, the Lumberjacks had the better start with a 2-0 lead. C.Gingras and A.Sarrigiannis scored and the Lumberjacks got the control they wanted. In a fifteen minute mini game, time is always the trailers worst enemy, especially when you’re down by a pair. But with still plenty of minutes left over, the HC Mutts showed once again what there made of. Led by their natural goal scorer, S.Sacco cut the lead in half and the HC Mutts put themselves in striking distance of a tie. Unfortunately for the Lumberjacks, their untimely visit to the penalty box didn’t help their cause at all. The Lumberjacks took not one but two late penalties giving the HC Mutts a 5-3 advantage. That’s the equivalent of a shark smelling blood when it’s extremely hungry. And with no hesitation, S.Minkiewicz came through for the HC Mutts in an uprising fashion. The skilled player not only tied the game but bagged the winner only moments later to shift the series on a dime. When looking back at what happened in all three games, it just goes to prove that many circumstances need to occur to determine who will win and who will lose. With both teams being very deserving, the HC Mutts found a way to get to the finish line first.

The HC Mutts know what lies ahead of them. An Icon team that refuses to lose and who are considered as the favorites to win the E Sunday division.But with the ball being round for both sides, and after winning an emotional series such as this one versus the Lumberjacks, who’s to say that it will be easy for anyone. Unless the HC Mutts are missing players, the final should be close.

The SalumiVino player of the night goes to Steven Minkiewicz of the HC Mutts. With their season on the line, S.Minkiewicz couldn’t score at a better time providing the equalizer and winner late in game three.