Monday May 1 (Semi finals Division 2)

P.Delli Colli’s shutout propels ETNA to game 3 victory over Brodie Boys

Unable to close out game one after leading 2-1 with half a frame remaining, the Brodie boys were stuck enduring a heart felt loss. The lagging offense of ETNA erupted late in the final stanza on three quick goals followed with the sealer when J.Tutino fed the empty cage. M.Stoico, J.Cardinal and A.Pitarelli scored within a short two and a half minute span to flip the contest, and cap off an important win to their night. You always hope to close things out when the opportunity presents itself. Sticking with fundamentals goes without saying when playing at this stage. ETNA played with fire instead heading into game two by taking too many penalties and the Brodie Boys made sure they got burned. H.Angelov took advantage by striking with the man up, and the Brodie Boys were extra cautious riding their slight lead. You almost want to search for that next goal rather than playing on your heels in a wide open four versus four format. Eventually, they got their first thanks to M.Gibson, who was able to widen the gap with half a period remaining. A.Mancini, although wasn’t overly busy, stopped the few shots he faced to earn the shutout. As it was perhaps expected, this series was going to be decided in a third and deciding game. The importance of getting that first goal usually tends to go a long way. It took barely a minute into the contest for J.Pimentel to get ETNA on board after a very long scoring drought. That kind of a start came a long way as ETNA were now the ones in control of the situation. Since time wasn’t yet an issue, the odds were good that somebody was going to score. It really became a question of who. Unfortunately for the Brodie Boys, an extra visit to the penalty box enabled J.Alfieri to capitalise, and put a serious strangle hold on the series. By that point, time started to be a concern that the Brodie Boys had no control over unless they sparked some sort of miracle comeback. It was P.Delli Colli’s turn to answer on a huge shutout win after both net minders did an incredible job keeping their clubs in it the entire time.

(5)ETNA vs Brodie Boys(2) Game 1

(0)ETNA vs Brodie Boys(2) Game 2

(3)ETNA vs Brodie Boys(0) Game 3

RCGT Knights overcome game one loss as they bounce back to knock out the Diabetoz Angels

Instead of coming out with more desperation after taking a shootout win, the Diabetoz Angels were listless and never got going the rest of the way. The RCGT Knights set the tone early in game two winning the opening frame rather handily. They led 3-1 after one before adding goals by M.Argiris and A.Provost to secure what appeared to be an easy game two. Every game has its own personality, and despite dropping the second encounter, it was up to the Daibetoz Angels to find answers and respond in a more engaged fashion if they planned on upsetting the RCGT Knights. Maybe they would have taken this deal of being split heading into a fifteen minute or more mini game. If that was the case, than they got what they wanted. The problem was that they couldn’t get anything going as their offense kept running dry. Even though its easier said than done, the first goal could have gone a very long way knowing that they have the right line of defense protecting the house. A.Ekonomakis has shown all season long that he can withstand playing with a slight lead if his players continued to buy into a committed defensive game. But in order to deliver in that situation, you need to score first. Instead, J.Prevost got their quickly for the RCGT Knights, and the Diabetoz Angels were now stuck again trying to play-from behind. It becomes extremely difficult having to bounce back against a team that knows how to manage these moments in a playoff series. The RCGT Knights are confident, experienced and know exactly how to play under pressure when the games reach this stage of the playoffs. Once A.Provost scored to double the lead, the writing was on the wall for the Diabetoz season despite three minutes left to go. J.Prevost would eventually use a late power play goal to cap off the series which at the same time saw S.Sauk record a big shutout.

(3)RCGT Knights vs Diabetoz Angels(4) S.O Game 1

(5)RCGT Knights vs Diabetoz Angels(1) Game 2

(3)RCGT Knights vs Diabetoz Angels(0) Game 3

The SalumiVino player of the night goes to Paolo Delli Colli of ETNA. Your chances of winning are good if you limit the Brodie Boys to only four goals in three games. In order for that to happen, your goaltender has to be in the zone. After a battle tested series that could have gone either way, P.Delli Colli was lights out enabling ETNA to take care of business and move onto the big dance.

The second division is now down to its final two teams. It isn’t a total surprise that these two clubs found their way here with the load of depth, experience and talent pool. The final will feature two teams playing hockey the right way. There wont be much room out there which will be expected as the two sides will have to compete hard by winning plenty of one on one battles. Quick and smart line changes, discipline, big key saves and some creative offense is a bare minimum required for whoever will win in the end.  Both sides wont have a choice but to dress all their players as endurance and the will to battle will be key on who will prevail. This series has no clear cut favourite which may just come down to who will get the lucky breaks and or bounces.

Semi final division 1

Dragons trounce Assadi Consulting inc to punch ticket in final

The Assadi Consulting inc didn’t get the starts they hoped for in order to compete with a fully loaded Dragons team. The two losses mirrored each other with the Dragons storming out of the gate grabbing some early leads. Barley five minutes had gone by in the opener, and the Dragons mounted a comfortable 3-0 cushion. Despite a late tally in the first period by J.Courteau, the Assadi Consulting inc were stuck wondering on how to adjust in the ensuing match if they planned to challenge the Dragons. And for a second straight game, it just wasn’t meant to be. This time, A.Mirolla caught the defense off guard bagging two quick goals to send an immediate message that they were the ones headed to the final. S.Mirolla then made the score 3-0 to cap off a solid first period. Not to be out done just yet, T.Bozinakis gave some life by finally getting his side on board. Although the game was still within striking distance, the Assadi Consulting inc were eventually forced to pull out their net minder for the extra attacker. But nothing came of it. Instead, B.Daniele launched a pair of balls to feed an empty cage and solidify a fairly easy semi final win. This series could have been closer than what it was if not for a pair of poor starts. Giving up some early goals only makes it that much harder to battle back against a solid hockey team. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t the right time to  have an average performance  with enough talented players throughout your line up. Credit to the Dragons however for showing up on time and delivering a strong message that they mean business this season.

(4)Dragons vs Assadi Consulting inc(1) Game 1

(6)Dragons vs Assadi Consulting inc(1) Game 2

The SalumiVino player of the night goes to Guillaume Vermette of the Dragons. The Assadi Consulting inc score way more than what they showed for tonight. And since the Dragons have a solid defensive core, it only made sense that a quality goaltender like Vermette allowed only two goals in four entire periods.

With the Dragons advancing to the final, they’ll be taking on a very familiar Classics team. Kick back, heat the pop corn and put your feet up and enjoy as this series will definitively entertain. There is no clear cut favourite despite the Classics winning the division while holding the title of recent champs. Perhaps the one key element that will make the difference between winning and losing is limiting your mistakes, and that involves avoid taking penalties. Both sides wont have issues in net, defensively and definitely on the attack.  A series so anticipated that TSN 3 is considering airing.