Sunday October 27(Quarter-finals)
Kraken Hold Off Canadiens’ Fierce Comeback
(9)Kraken vs Canadiens( 8 )
The quarterfinal showdown between the favored Kraken and underdog Canadiens was anything but predictable. The Canadiens came out blazing, and star forward T. Settino set the tone early, netting two quick goals. His second came off a slick backhand assist-from G. Papadakis, giving the Canadiens a 2-0 lead that shocked the Kraken. Despite the Canadiens’ red-hot start, the Kraken weren’t ready to be dethroned. With renewed focus, they found their rhythm and stormed back with four consecutive goals to turn the tide. C. Pirone was pivotal during this rally, tallying three points and threading crisp passes to lead the Kraken’s offensive surge. The Canadiens, initially in command, struggled to contain the Kraken’s relentless attack, which resulted in a daunting 9-5 deficit late in the game. Down by four, the Canadiens refused to go quietly. In a stunning late-game push, they rattled off three straight goals, reigniting their offense and putting the Kraken on their heels. Yet, despite closing the gap to a heart-stopping 9-8, time ran out on the Canadiens' spirited comeback, and the Kraken held on to secure the narrow victory. The Kraken’s resilience and scoring power ultimately proved too much, though the Canadiens' tenacity kept the favorites on edge until the final buzzer.
The Allo Mon Coco Ste Dorothee player of the game goes to Carmine Pirone of the Kraken. Pirone’s impact went beyond the scoreboard, though his numbers were impressive. He scored a crucial goal that sparked the Kraken's momentum and added three key assists, threading precise passes to set up teammates in high-danger areas. As the Canadiens pressured, Pirone kept his composure, orchestrating the Kraken’s offense to complete a critical four-goal run that shifted the game’s momentum. His play style balanced skill with grit, leading by example and rallying his teammates to maintain their lead and withstand the Canadiens’ late-game push.
Sabres Stun Predators in Dramatic Comeback Win
(5)Predators vs Sabres(6)
In a tense quarterfinal matchup, the Sabres and Predators went head-to-head in a cautious, low-scoring game, with the Sabres holding onto a slim 3-2 lead for much of the contest. Both goaltenders, M. Freda for the Predators and F. Koch for the Sabres, stood tall, fending off close-range chances and keeping the game tight. As the final stages approached, the game erupted with thrilling action. The Predators struck first in the late-game surge, with M. Cimenelli and F. Martin scoring back-to-back goals to shift momentum and take a 4-3 lead. The Sabres responded when G. Santacroce made a dazzling move off the sideboards, snapping a perfectly placed wrister over Freda to bring the game to 4-4.Not long after, Cimenelli completed his hat trick, putting the Predators up 5-4 and seemingly securing their spot in the semifinals. However, the Sabres had one last trick up their sleeves. With just 45 seconds on the clock, J. Wong struck gold, tying the game 5-5 and electrifying the crowd. Then, an incredible twist, Santacroce capitalized again, following Wong’s goal with the game-winning tally, burying a clutch wrister to seal a stunning 6-5 victory for the Sabres. This exhilarating finish sent the Sabres to the next round, while Cimenelli’s hat trick was overshadowed by Santacroce and Wong’s heroics in an unforgettable playoff thriller.
The Allo Mon Coco Ste Dorothee player of the game goes to Gaetano Santacroce of the Sabres. G. Santacroce earned Player of the Game honours with a remarkable performance in the closing moments of the Sabres’ quarterfinal clash, securing a dramatic 6-5 win that advanced his team to the semi-finals. With time ticking down, Santacroce stepped up when it mattered most scoring two incredible goals, showing poise and precision under intense pressure.
Panthers’ Early Surge Secures Win Over Wild
(11)Panthers vs Wild(7)
The Panthers secured their place in the semifinals after a thrilling victory over the Wild, thanks to a fast start that put their opponents on the back foot. The Panthers jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, establishing a solid cushion that forced the Wild into offensive mode as they tried to mount a comeback. Both teams showcased their offensive firepower, with both sides converting on penalty shot opportunities. The Panthers had a well-rounded scoring effort, highlighted by M. Chenier, who scored three late-game goals to cap off an impressive four-goal performance. F. Mastrocola, J. Leroux, and M. Crapis each added two goals, contributing to a balanced attack that kept the Wild’s defense scrambling. Despite the early deficit, the Wild pushed back hard, led by T. Acheson’s hat trick. J. Tzaentakos and T. Angelis added two goals apiece, narrowing the gap and keeping the game within reach. However, the Panthers’ early lead proved too much to overcome, and their sustained offensive pressure ultimately sealed the win. With this victory, the Panthers advance to the semifinals, carrying momentum-from their strong start and impressive depth of scoring.
The Allo Mon Coco Ste Dorothee player of the game goes to Yannick Gaudreau of the Panthers. With the Panthers building an 8-3 cushion, Gaudreau’s dependable play gave his teammates the confidence to stay aggressive on offense, knowing their goaltender had their backs. Despite a late push-from the Wild, Gaudreau’s early saves proved pivotal, helping the Panthers maintain control and ultimately secure the 11-9 victory.
M.Barone’s Five-Goal Night Propels Kings to Victory Over Flyers
(6)Flyers vs Kings( 8 )
In this quarterfinal showdown anticipated to be neck-and-neck, the Kings and Flyers delivered a high-stakes battle, with the Kings ultimately prevailing thanks to M. Barone’s five-goal performance. The Kings started strong, quickly taking a 3-0 lead, but the Flyers answered back, netting three goals to level the game at 3-3 and spark a resilient comeback. Unfazed, the Kings regained momentum, pushing ahead to a 5-3 lead. However, the Flyers refused to back down, rallying once more to even the score at 5-5, setting up a tense final stretch. With the pressure on, Barone stepped up, scoring his fourth goal to break the tie and put the Kings ahead 6-5—this time, for good. Barone continued his offensive display, notching another tally to complete his five-goal night and extend the Kings’ lead to 8-5. The Flyers added a pair of late goals, but it wasn’t enough to even the score. Alongside Barone’s heroics, A. Dambrosio added two key markers to support the Kings’ offense, while A. Kalaydjian played a pivotal playmaking role, assisting on four goals to keep the Kings’ offense firing. Barone’s prolific scoring, combined with Kalaydjian’s creativity, led the Kings to a hard-fought 8-6 win and a ticket to the semifinals.
The Allo Mon Coco Ste Dorothee player of the game goes to Michael Barone of the Kings. Barone was the offensive engine for the Kings, starting with a hat trick that helped his team establish an early lead. When the Flyers fought back to tie the game twice, Barone stepped up, breaking the 5-5 tie with a clutch goal to give the Kings a 6-5 advantage. M.Barone went on to add his fifth highlighting his offensive impact on the game.
The quarterfinal round concluded on Sunday night, narrowing the field to four teams poised for an exciting semifinal showdown. The first matchup features the top-seeded Kraken going head-to-head with the Sabres. While the Kraken have established themselves as the team to beat, they will face a challenge as they head into the game undermanned. The Sabres, boasting key players like N. Macri, G. Santacroce, and E. Allen, have the talent necessary to capitalize on any gaps in the Kraken’s lineup and could make for a competitive clash.
In the other semifinal, the Panthers will take on the Kings in what promises to be another thrilling contest. The Panthers bring a potent offensive front, highlighted by the dynamic trio of F. Mastrocola, A. Zarzour, and M. Chenier, capable of putting up big numbers. For the Kings, success hinges on playing smart hockey and effectively utilizing their breakouts to generate scoring opportunities. With M. Barone fresh off a standout performance and the division’s leading scorer, S. Kalaydjian, in their lineup, the Kings have the potential to keep this series tightly contested.
As the semifinals approach, ball hockey fans can look forward to some quality matchups filled with skill, strategy, and intensity.
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