Friday December 9(Semi finals)

O.Valiquette riffles 4 goals, Generals thump Brewers to kick start series

(7)Generals vs Brewers(1) Game 1

O.Valiquette had a stellar performance notching four markers, D.Massa held the Brewers to only one goal, and the Generals barely met resistance in their semi final opener. The Brewers hung in there for quite a while trailing only 2-1 just shy of the mid way point of the game. Keeping the game close for as long as possible sat well for the Brewers, but not as much for the Generals, who finally turned it up finishing off a strong second period. It was during that stretch that both sides knew where this game was headed. After carrying a comfortable 5-1 lead heading into the third period, V.Lamarche and O.Valiquette added insurance to cap off a fairly easy win. Slowing down the Generals is a tall task. You almost have to hope for fortunate bounces and lights out goaltending if you are the Brewers. With an hour to regroup, the Brewers wont have a choice but to respond with a near perfect game if they plan on extending the series.

S.Pistone holding the fort in net for the United Masters

(2)Chiefs vs United Masters(4) S.O Game 1

The Chiefs twice let leads slip away, and the United Masters came back to bite them en route to a shootout win. It was just about grinding it out for the United Masters. There was no need for any fancy hockey or highlight individual efforts. They played a blue collar style, and ultimately got rewarded in the end thanks to a pair of shootout goals by A.Minassian and D.Charbonneau. The Chiefs, although played well, understood the importance of getting that third goal when the game was 2-1 in their favour. The problem was that the United Masters kept getting in the way while covering their man within a very close proximity. Adding to that, it didn’t help either that S.Pistone was standing between the posts. The goaltender was a rock, and never flinched for well over two periods to give his club a legit chance to take the game. He managed to keep the Chiefs at bay until a shootout decided the outcome. Since the Chiefs couldn’t figure out Pistone, the United Masters capitalised on their shootout attempts to grab an important lead in the series.

First period outburst helps send Generals to final

(6)Generals vs Brewers(4) Game2

The last thing the Brewers needed was a bad start if they had any sort of hope on defeating the Generals. Giving up four first period goals wont cut it despite plenty of time left over. The Brewers looked miserably flat-footed-from the start allowing four different players to get their way for the Generals. Meanwhile, the Generals didn’t change anything about their game. Strong teams like the Generals move the ball extremely well which makes it hard for any opponent to follow. Another area of their game that makes them lethal is the ability to shoot the ball. Most of the Generals have heavy and precise shots on net which makes it hard for any team contain long enough. Even though you have long stretches of success, eventually they’ll find a way. In fairness to the Brewers, this series was always going to be an uphill battle. At least they never threw in the towel by responding heavy in the second period on three goals. Still, they kept trailing, and never made up much ground-from that point on. The Generals managed to protect their slight two goal margin the rest of the way solidifying a much more competitive game two vs. the Brewers.

A.Mercan blasts a pair for the United Masters, Chiefs fall short in early playoff exit

(2)Chiefs vs United Masters(3) Game 2

You never want to fall behind when you are trailing in a playoff series.The Chiefs gave up two first period goals, and had to be wonderibng how to fix things.The mind set wasn’t complicated, play it a shift at a time while trying to get the next tally. Surely enough, A.Zarzour provided it, and the Chiefs were back in the game with nearly two full periods to play. Since this series saw both sides limit the scoring due to their disciplined defensive style, the next goal came as a must for the Chiefs. After a rare mishap by A.Minassian, D.Galloro found himself alone in front of S.Pistone, and made sure to bury his chance to level the score. Now that the game was all tied up in the third period, both sides felt that they were already in sudden death overtime for how difficult it was to find the back of the net. By that point in time, it was all about just throwing the ball toward the net in hopes of it going in. That’s when A.Mercan came through again on a deceiving shot that gave P.Delli Colli no chance. The United Masters regained their lead, and had just under six minutes to kill off. As much as the Chiefs kept putting on the pressure with their season on the line, it just wasn’t meant to be in the end. Overall, the United Masters played it right, and got to the finish line first as the deserving team.

The SalumiVino player of the night goes to Ari Mercan of the United Masters. The d-man not only kept the Chiefs forwards honest, but was able to provide three big goals in a low scoring series.

The Masters 35+ division is now down to its final two teams. The heavy favourite Generals will take on the United Masters. While it may seem like it’s a given that the Generals will take it in the end, the United Masters could cause a surprise if they keep doing what’s been working for them. By keeping it very simple along with relying on S.Pistone to guard the cage, anything is possible. They just need to keep the games close for as long as possible.