Monday July 11

RCGT Knights unable to keep up with the Kings

Behind a strong defensive effort along with balanced scoring, the Kings were the better of the two sides versus the RCGT Knights. Y.Gazura gave his club hope on a pair of quick second period goals, but it wasn’t nearly enough as the Kings rode off a strong finish en route to a 7-3 victory. Unfortunately for the RCGT Knights, they didn’t have the same fight in them entering a pay back match up. The Kings carried their momentum wasting no time what so ever rattling off four first period goals that included a pair-from T.Ferreira. Even though a three goal deficit isn’t the end of the world with so much left over, the RCGT Knights just kept finding themselves in a deeper hole unable to keep up. S.Bordonaro and D.Lombardi also chipped in with a pair while A.Pietracupa stood firm in net collecting a pair of wins.

(7)Kings vs RCGT Knights(3)

(2)RCGT Knights vs Kings(7)

Degenerates and Country Club split after intense battle

It showed-from the drop of the ball that the Country Club and the Degenerates were primed for four periods of good hockey. For a good portion of the first match, the Degenerates carried a slight 1-0 lead up until the Country Club eventually answered on a pair of second period tallies. S.Beaudin had evened the score, and C.Payette finally put his club in front for the first time leaving just over two minutes in the game. The Degenerates didn’t help themselves losing some important one on one battles versus a hungrier side. The Country Club certainly deserved what they got and hoped to continue a similar performance in the ensuing match. However, the Degenerates understood that they needed to make adjustments and focus on certain aspects of their game if they planned on splitting the cake with their opponent. Thanks to a very good start that provided a pair of two goal leads, the Degenerates had the control in their favor even though it took a full out effort. Anytime you are in a position to protect a one goal lead, it comes without question that your net minder needs to be there at all times to bail you out. Luckily enough for the Degenerates, T.Borgia was sharp, focused and extremely good to help capture a difficult 4-3 win.

(2)Country Club vs Degenerates(1)

(4)Degenerates vs Country Club(3)

Orient catch Dragons off guard early en route to a productive night

When going up against a good hockey team, you almost have no margin of error if you plan on having some success. That was the case in the first game between the Orient and the Dragons where only one side seemed to show up and play. The Orient achieved their objective by scoring early and often which only complicates matters for a team that has to mount a difficult comeback. E.Harnois was a major factor for the Orient as the skilled player scored three times in the opening game that finished in a landslide. Now, you have to figure that a team like the Dragons wont repeat such a putrid performance with so many experienced players throughout their line up. And while they did adjust, it still doesn’t guarantee anything for the standings . The Orient didn’t quite have that comfortable gap like in the previous match, but were still in a good position despite it being a 2-1 lead. In situations as such, forces you to play a tighter checking game along with your net minder being more alert. E.Paradis-Levasseur needed to be brilliant in which he was keeping the Dragons to only one goal on 22 shots. Perhaps the turning point occurred when J.Saydi riffled a power play goal that ultimately held up for the winner.

(7)Orient vs Dragons(2)

(1)Dragons vs Orient(3)

Assadi Consulting Inc suffer late blow in first game, Altius feeds off momentum

You battle so hard carrying an early 1-0 lead while everything appears to be fine only to find yourself at the wrong side of the spectrum when its all said and done. The Assadi Consulting Inc didn’t have the body count which may explain whey they couldn’t force the shootout with the game dead even at 1-1. After scoring his clubs first goal, A.Alfonso made a big play to set up B.Bentivegna, who made sure to bury his chance and give the Altius their first lead of the night. The heartbreaking tally left about 90 seconds on the clock, and the Assadi Consulting Inc needed to forget this one in a hurry. To their credit, they hung in there in the ensuing match trailing only 3-2 after the first period. Eventually though, the Altius took advantage of a power play chance thanks to an unlikely hero in G.Panagiotopoulos capitalizing for a two goal margin. The conservative defenseman couldn’t have scored at a better time to put the Altius in a position to help capture a second win. A.Alfonso was there to feed an empty cage with his third point of the encounter capping off a productive five point performance.

(1)Assadi Consulting Inc vs Altius(2)

(5)Altius vs Assadi Consulting Inc(2)

Horsemen look to their big guns in shootout split with Snipers

Sometimes it doesn’t matter in what form they come, but teams want nothing more than to win hockey games . The Snipers and the Horseman played throughout four straight periods without anyone edging out the other expect for in the breakaway competitions. And even at that, it was just as even as both sides split the cost at the end of the day. The Snipers got the better of the Horsemen in the first of two games on a pair of shootout markers by J.Hassan and H.Awada while M.St-Laurent was there to shut the door denying both attempts by the Horsemen. Then, and in the same circumstance, both sides hit familiar territory unable to settle it during regulation time. This time however, the Horseman looked to some of their key elements to pull through. D.Greco ,M.Kardum and V.Pandza had all scored during regulation time which set the stage for D.Greco and M.Kardum to test their ability in the shootout. Both players did not disappoint, netting both goals for the Horsemen while on the other side of the court, M.Vinciguerra got some pay back making big saves to secure the win.

(2)Horsemen vs Snipers(4) S.O

(3)Snipers vs Horsemen(5) S.O

Dragons put the effort but couldn’t match the man power of the Classics

The name of the game is winning, and the Classics did that twice on  Monday night, pinning a pair of victories versus the undermanned Dragons. If not for a brilliant one on one play by A.Kakivelis that led to a highlight reel goal, the Dragons were only moments away-from testing their luck in a shootout. Instead, they just fell short of the finish line, and were now stuck playing two players short due to injuries. You never want to go up against the fire power of the Classics with a short bench. However, the Dragons played it smart keeping the game extremely close for as long as possible. A.Kakivelis used an early second period power play goal to put the Classics in front 2-1. It took only a minute and change after that tally for E.Mavroudis to notch his second providing a two goal cushion. The Dragons did have a bounce back opportunity when the Classics took a penalty. And rather than capitalising with the man advantage, the opposite happened instead. P.Karvouriaris and C.Gingras summed it up as both players were responsible behind striking twice with the man short.

(6)Classics vs Dragons(3)

(1)Dragons vs Classics(5)

HC Jokerit dig out of a hole to collect a pair of wins over the Big Timer

The HC Jokerit must have felt that entering their second game was going to be just as easy after stamping a convincing 4-1 victory. After all, they got the offense rolling on efforts-from four different scorers, a strong defensive game along with a sound goaltending performance by H.Psaroudis. However, the second match had a different story line with the Big Timer flipping the script, at least in the first period. Sometimes you need to fall behind in a hockey game to see how you respond . The Big Timer caught the HC Jokerit off guard early posting a 2-0 lead, and an eventual 3-2 lead by the time the first period ended. Both teams were now tested on how to manage one important frame in order to get the win. For the Big Timer, it was a matter of how to prepare for a stronger defensive game while the HC Jokerit needed to be creative in order to get the offense required. In this particular case, the HC Jokerit were the ones who addressed their needs by striking on three quick occasions. Out of no where, this contest turned on a time, and the HC Jokerit were well on their way for a second win by bleeding out the clock.

(4)HC Jokerit vs Big Timer(1)

(3)Big Timer vs HC Jokerit(5)

The SalumiVino player of the night goes to Andrew Alfonso of the Altius and the HC Jokerit. The cardio machine played a remarkable eight periods of high energy hockey on teams-from the higher and lower divisions. He helped provide four out of four possible victories while accumulating a total of 9 points.