Friday April 13(Semi finals)
(0)Devil Dawgz vs National(4) Game 2
National pound Devil Dawgz, punch ticket to final
Off to the finals for National. With goals coming in every frame, National was able to knock out the Devil Dawgz and further their quest for bigger and better things to come. O.Meilleur opened the scoring late in the first period, and F.Laurin wasted no time striking early in the second to double the lead. Despite the amount of time left over, the Devil Dawgz started to feel the pressure by then. It was just one of those nights that nothing went right. Surely it didn't help with F.Lamarche holding the fort. The net minder made every save possible to avoid any sort of confidence-from his opponents. Then, just to re assure his teammates, the captain put the final nail in the series. M.Pinheiro set up his clubs second goal before bagging two of his own.
(5)Chiefs vs Bramabulls(3) Game 2
Chiefs extend series after third period push
The Chiefs just felt that they couldn't let this one slip away. By pushing the pace as much as they could, they managed to score when it counted and force a third and deciding game. The winner came fairly late with S.Koulieris snapping a 3-3 tie. Already with a goal, F.Benhamadi tapped his second in a yawning cage. Both sides had plenty of promising looks but the goaltending was difficult to beat in this match. S.Pare stood tall in net just like his counterpart G.Follano of the Bramabulls. Since the Bramabulls couldn't close out the series, they were now forced to play their best period of the season in order to pass.
(3)Bramabulls vs Chiefs (1) S.O Game 3
Chiefs devastated in heart breaking loss
With just about 14 seconds remaining in the mini game, it looked like the Chiefs would pull through. Then the Bramabulls broke their hearts. They tied it by picking up a loose ball on the side of the net on a swipe-from P.Rivera. It was just an absolute stunning turn of events. Still, this series had to go the extra step after both sides failed to capitalise in overtime. The Bramabulls took game one in the same circumstances with D.Lonardi and J.Morina each scoring while G.Follano denied both attempts-from the Chiefs.
The SalumiVino player of the night goes to Gerry Follano of the Bramabulls. If not for his sequence of key saves, and for denying both shootout attempts, his club would be making different plans next Friday night.
Maybe it was only fitting that the top two teams met after all in the finals. Some may argue that the Bramabulls have National's number after defeating them twice in the regular season. But with playoffs being a whole different dynamics, only the Vegas odds makers would have an idea on who will prevail. Both sides have their strengths but National may have the slight edge due to their overall speed. A.DiPerna will need to play it smart and make correct decisions if he plans on popping champagne bottles.
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