Monday April 17

Classics punch ticket to final in double rout of Assadi Consulting inc

It might have been a meaningless night for the Assadi Consulting inc since they are locked in with no where else to move, but the  Classics on the other hand had something to play for. You always look to avoid an extra round if its in your control. By simply collecting a couple of points, the Classics got their automatic spot in the final  while the Dragons would take on the Assadi Consulting inc in the extra playoff series. The two wins were nearly identical with the Classics running up the score. The Assadi Consulting inc had the better start to the night, at least in the first five minutes finding themselves ahead 3-1. Then, they couldn’t sustain what the Classics brought the rest of the way. Even if the Assadi Consulting inc are a worthy opponent, they still aren’t a match for the Classics. It will take all their key elements in order to have a chance and steal some games. Showing up with barely two lines easily explains why they gave up eighteen goals in both encounters. There are too many threats coming-from every direction. M.Mavroudis being one of them notched a hat trick in the opening game while many others contributed collecting their fair share of points.

(9)Classics vs Assadi Consulting inc(5)

(9)Classics vs Assadi Consulting inc(4)

ETNA fair well for three of four periods with Dragons despite missing key players

In what could have been a good measuring stick for ETNA doesn’t really qualify in tonight’s case. Too many key pieces were absent which explains why the Dragons handed them a pair of losses. Granted, the second encounter did go the distance as it was decided in a shootout where the Dragons took that department on goals by Y.Derohanessian and J.Mandracchia. As a matter of fact, ETNA were the ones who let it slip away after carrying a 3-1 lead with just about four minutes remaining. A.Pitarelli set up J.Tutino before netting two of ETNA’s goals. You want as much as possible to avoid visiting the penalty box when going up against the Dragons. That one single penalty enabled B.Daniele to capitalise which now allowed the Dragons a single shot on net to even the score. Unable to kill off a little over a minute, G.DeMarinis tied the game late, and the Dragons went on to overcome their deficit and win in the shootout. The earlier contest remained fairly close for about a period. Once the final frame hit, it was all Dragons as they mounted the score by striking five times. P.Musto created the snow ball effect on back to back tallies which was eventually followed with J.Mandracchia adding  a pair as a well.

(3)ETNA vs Dragons(8)

(3)ETNA vs Dragons(5) S.O

RCGT Knights unable to close out deal vs Diabetoz Angels in second encounter

The RCGT Knights were left wondering what went wrong on Monday night after taking on the Diabetoz Angels. It wasn’t a question of who would prevail but rather on how you manage a situation. After coming off a difficult opening win, the RCGT Knights had their opponent on the ropes by winning a big first period 3-0. The Diabetoz Angels somehow found a way to battle back on an incredible finish to their night. Scoring four unanswered goals doesn’t come that easy, especially against a team that should have done better closing out their opponent. Regardless, the Diabetoz Angels deserve all the credit for mounting their come-from behind win. Already with a hat trick in the first encounter, J.Zervakos was the trigger for his side as the forward notched two straight tallies while setting up Philip for the equaliser. You saw that the wheels fell off, and the RCGT Knights didn’t know how to manage  the situation. They likely would have preferred to test their luck in the shootout since time was running out, and that the Diabetoz Angels had all the momentum going for them. Unfortunately, things only got worse for the RCGT Knights when T.Carperos used a late tally to put his side in front for good. Its not a pleasant way to lose a hockey game, but its better it happened now for a side that has expectations heading into the post season.

(7)RCGT Knights vs Diabetoz Angels(5)

(3)RCGT Knights vs Diabetoz Angels(4)

The SalumiVino player of the night goes to James Zervakos of the Diabetoz Angels. In a huge comeback effort win versus the RCGT Knights, J.Zervakos propelled his side by striking twice, adding an assist right after collecting a hat trick in the first encounter.

Its now official, the regular season of divisions 1 & 2 came to an end. With three teams representing division 1, the Dragons will take on the Assadi Consulting inc while the Classics will wait for the winner of that series. If the Dragons show up full slate, it will be up to the Assadi Consutling inc to figure out the right game plan on how to shut down some lethal weapons up front. Its all about defending well while relying on your goaltender to deliver. Scoring goals wont be the issue, its preventing them that will decide this series.

As for division 2 , eight teams will square off in the first quarter round. The match ups are as follows:

(1)RCGT Knights vs Country Club(8) Too much depth and experience will favour the RCGT Knights in this series. That being said, the Country Club have some good young talented players that can score goals. M.Dupuis has the ability to steal you some games, and the Country Club have the smarts on how to defend. Its all about putting it together.

(2)Snipers vs Diabetoz Angels(7) Despite what the seeding looks like, this series is difficult to predict. In some ways these two teams resemble each other. They both like to move their feet, and rely on  a coupe of key forwards. With the kind of season that A.Ekonomakis has shown so far in net for the Diabetoz Angels, the pressure will be on M.St-Laurent to perform just as well in which he has proven in the past.

(3)ETNA vs Degenerates(6) Here we have a rematch of last seasons final. Memories run long for ETNA as they’ll look for redemption in trying to knock out the recent champs. This time, they’ll be fully loaded and very difficult to defeat. For the Degenerates, its only about keeping it simple. Let the game play out, and simply do the right things and you just never know.

(4)Branditscan vs Brodie Boys(5) Two very familiar teams will look to take advantage of each others weaknesses. However, there doesn’t seem to be too many as both sides are built nicely for what’s ahead. This series will come down to on how the Branditscan will need to try and slow down an opponent that doesn’t stop running. They will need to remain patient while timing their runs that will lead to some scoring chances.