Monday September 30
After strong finish, Ice Breakers carry momentum into second game
After being completely missing in action in their first encounter with the Orient, the Ice Breakers responded with a much better performance to split their miniseries. Things started to turn around towards the final frame even though it was too late. The Ice Breakers used four goals in the ensuing match, including two-from M.Thakaa to cap off a strong finish. Both teams had their ups and downs throughout the two games. The Orient looked like they were headed for an easy night after getting scoring efforts -from six different players in the opening game. J.Mavuanga and his captain F.Nasser shared three points each. The problem for the Orient was that the Ice Breakers played hungrier than they did in the second match. From-the drop of the ball, it showed that they wanted it more by using their speed and relentless effort often getting to the ball first.
(6)Orient vs Ice Breakers (3)
(5)Ice Breakers vs Orient (2)
D.Andrade delivers in both wins for Armadillos
If scoring two big goals wasn't enough in the first game for the Armadillos, D.Andrade couldn't have asked for a better finish on Monday night. Down to their last shootout attempt, D.Andrade faked out F.Koch just enough before going forehand to bury the game winner. The Armadillos took two difficult games against a team that doesn't give much. E.Parent was solid again allowing only two goals all night. Throughout most of the night, the Armadillos skill and speed was on full display but the 1 Timer managed to hang in there bringing the second contest to its final moments.
(3)Armadillos vs 1 Timer (1)
(2)1 timer vs Armadillos (3) S.O
Dynamic duo for Dragons find their stride
It's not simple. It's not effortless. It only looks that way when E.Girouard and S.Robineault work their offensive magic as they have throughout their ball hockey careers. It didn't even matter that the Dragons had only one change up to their bench. The game plan was simple, tighten up a wait for the dynamic duo to go to work. After complementing each other in the opening game for a close 2-1 victory, the Dragons went the distance in the second match taking it in the shootout. E.Girouard had already scored twice before notching the game's lone shootout marker. Looking back, the Chic Choc would have adjusted if they knew what they were going up against. Instead, they couldn't address a specific game plan that left them with only one point to show for. They will be happy however to have J-R Lemay back in the line up as the sniper didn't miss a beat netting two goals.
(2)Dragons vs Chic Choc (1)
(3)Chic Choc vs Dragons (4) S.O
Degenerates finally crack a brick wall
The expectations to prevail in any sort of manner felt like a long shot for the Excalibur on Monday night. And even though they had four quality players, neither of them had a chance to change as they were stuck playing with nobody on the bench. Usually these situations force players to hang back and wait while heavily relying on their net minder. The first encounter did go well for a period but that all changed in the second when the Degenerates opened up the flood gates. During that span, A.Lanni and S.Marricco posted their second to secure a 6-2 victory. In hopes of carrying that same momentum versus a depleted team, the second game had a completely different script. It was in the first period that S.Sauk went into super natural mode. The Degenerates threw everything except for the kitchen sink unable to beat him at least once. Then, A.Lanni finally somehow solved him to put his club in front. Normally, a team with a loaded bench tend to make life easy on themselves when entering the latter stages of a hockey game, but that clearly wasn't the case for the Degenerates. The Excalibur needed only one minute in order to gain the lead. S.Ruggiero and F.Bchara scored during that span which forced a massive push-from their opponent. Eventually, the Degenerates did level the game and brought it a step further when S.Sicuso picked a top corner leaving only 12 seconds on the clock.
(6)Degenerates vs Excalibur (2)
(2)Excalibur vs Degenerates (3)
Punishers thump Legacy after shootout victory
For how close the first game was between two high end clubs, the second encounter surprisingly didn't go that way. The Punishers simply elevated their game, and in doing so had everything go right en route to a lopsided score. J.Chiropoulos had his foot print all over the score sheet visiting the penalty box a couple of times but more importantly being very productive in the goal scoring column. Chiropoulos was a force bagging three goals and an assist with plays all coming-from the back end. Legacy, despite going empty handed in the second match, missed out grabbing some clean points in the first encounter by letting a late 4-2 lead slip away. A.Kobayati was the catalyst behind the comeback and perhaps the victory as the skilled forward participated in all four goals while riffling the shootout winner. From-that point on,the Punishers never looked back en route to an easier victory.
(4)Legacy vs Punishers (6) S.O
(7)Punishers vs Legacy (1)
The SalumiVino player of the night goes to Donny Andrade of the Armadillos. The Armadillos forward was vital to both wins. After riffling two goals in the opening contest, D.Andrade capped off a clutch performance in style on a shootout marker.
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