Wednesday May 18 (Semi finals)

Armadillos advance on B.Gabbour’s shootout winner

(7)Armadillos vs Assadi Consulting Inc(6) S.O Game 2

With the way the first period ended, this game looked like it was going to be a blowout for the Armadillos. Clearly, it was a nightmare start for a team that had no choice but to put their best game forward if they planned on moving on. However, that disastrous start was addressed, and in a convincing way as the Assadi Consulting Inc flipped the script riding four unanswered tallies taking its first lead of the game when P.Arkalis snapped a 3-3 third period tie. By then, the Assadi Consulting Inc hoped the Armadillos would go quietly for how in command they were of the situation. All they needed was to apply six more minutes of their entire season into keeping the Armadillos off the score sheet. Unable to ride it out, Q.Syrydiuk was there to rescue the Armadillos with just under five minutes remaining. Both sides till that point had their high and very low moments in such an important contest. It was clear and evident that the next goal was likely to decide if the series would extend or not. Neither side was able to finish it off in regulation time which left a dreaded shootout. As crazy as the game was, the shootout wasn’t any different with the two teams trading two goals each during the first round. It took only the round right after that for the Armadillos to close out the deal. B.Gabbour capped it off netting his second during the shootout while J.Mandracchia failed on his attempt to keep it going.

Bad start hurts United Arms as Punishers move on to familiar territory

(1)United Arms vs Punishers(7) Game 2

It was a pretty simple formula, and the Punishers used it in their easy win over the United Arms. Score first, limit the scoring chances-from the other side and have your goaltender bail you out if needed. The Punishers did everything right on Wednesday night winning in all areas of their game. Building a decent lead allows your defense and goaltender some margin of error if in case they go on a bad stretch.  The United Arms knew they had to play in front but couldn’t put themselves in that position. Instead, they fell behind which forced them to chase the game by taking some high risk chances. The problem with that is your doing it against a team that’s lethal on their transition game. The Punishers will make you pay almost every time when given room up front because of their high end talent. P.Karvouriaris notched a pair and C.Gingras feasted on the back end providing four helpers while scoring came-from six different players. This series was a tall order for the United Arms who needed everything to go right. They just couldn’t put it together on this particular night against a team that was prepared and ready to move on.

The SalumiVino player of the night goes to Brad Gabbour of the Armadillos. Shootout goals are also very important when it comes down to deciding a series. B.Gabbour was able to provide two of them that included the winner.

Again, the Punishers and the Armadillos will meet in the final. While the Armadillos look to repeat as champs, the Punishers feel there is some unfinished business to settle. Every time these teams meet, the games often go unpredictable as they usually tend to end in a dramatic fashion. This series cannot really be predicted by any experts with so many variables and moving parts involved. The Punishers will have that hunger of leveling the score which should have everyone putting in that little extra drive into their game. The Armadillos wont have a choice but to match the expected will and intensity  of a side that wants nothing more than to beat them.