Thursday December 7

K.Kuczmarski takes centre stage with late three point surge for the Altius

(4)Altius vs Chiefs(3) O.T

It looked like J.Gagne’s third period power play goal put the Chiefs in a favourable position to defeat the Altius. Up 3-1 with half a frame remaining coupled with the fact that P-O Girouard is the one protecting the cage, its almost a very safe bet that this game was going to favour the Chiefs. However, the narrative took a dramatic turn when Altius, fuelled with determination and resilience, mounted a late game comeback, scoring two crucial goals to level the score. K.Kuczmarski was the catalyst orchestrating the comeback as the skilled forward did it all by scoring first while setting up A.Alonso for the equaliser. Now that both sides headed for the extra time, K.Kuczmarski was just getting warmed up by bagging the games biggest tally to secure a come-from behind win. The two late goals and the subsequent surge highlighted Altius’s ability to perform under pressure and turned the game into a memorable and exiting finish. The Chiefs had hoped for better, but had another shot at getting it right as they took on the Black Knights later in a double header night.

Krazy Train save best for last in third period takeover (E division playoffs, round 1)

(7)Krazy Train vs Rated R(5)

In what was a must win game, the Krazy Train staged a remarkable takeover in the third period to secure a nice victory over Rated R. The third period witnessed a flurry of goals and intense action, with the Krazy Train turning the tide to overcome Rated R. The collective effort of the team , coupled with the standout performances of J.Morina and M.Argiris , showcased the resilience and skill necessary for success in a playoff game. Rated R looked fine with their overall game after two solid periods. They led 4-3, and had the bodies to potentially wear down a shortened bench by the Krazy Train. Rather than taking it to them, the opposite effect happened instead. It was the Krazy Train that looked to have the extra gear and pace to out work Rated R. Sometimes, an adrenaline rush after a good shift is enough to keep the batteries going for the long haul. All nine players including G.Follano guarding the cage played a significant role in their teams success.

Black Knights outpace Chiefs team that played earlier

(6)Black Knights vs Chiefs(1)

Eventually, the Black Knights dominated a fatigued Chiefs team securing a convincing 6-1 win. The Chiefs did their part for a good portion by keeping the Black Knights off the score sheet. It wasn’t till the four minute mark of the second period for J-P Moquin to finally get on board. What makes that goal devastating for the Chiefs was that it came in a shorthanded situation. In these types of scenarios, you cant afford to fall behind when you’re a man up. Maybe playing with the slight lead  could have complicated matters fro the Black Knights. Unfortunately, the tally spelled the downfall for a team that just couldn’t keep up. The Black Knights had a massive second period surge where they riffled four straight tallies to put the game out of reach. Goals came by four different players until C.Gingras and D.Greco posted their second by the third. The game than reached a point where the only statistical value was to see if D.Delaronde was going to preserve his shutout. However, with just under six minutes to go, the Chiefs made sure to bury their power play chance thanks to T.Canuel. The rout demonstrated the impact of fatigue on performance in back to back games, as the Black Knights capitalised on the opportunity to secure a decisive win.

Armadillos take over in third period to take out rival Brew Crew (E division playoffs, round 1)

(4)Armadillos vs Brew Crew(2)

The game unfolded with both teams engaged in a closely contested battle, knowing that the stakes were high. The Brew Crew might have put up a strong fight, but the Armadillos determined play in the third period proved to be the turning point. They rode three consecutive goals coming in all forms. First, K.Koutsogiannopoulos snapped the tie on the power play. Then, P.Legatos widened the gap by two even strength, and finally M.Arkalis put the icing on the cake on a huge shorthanded marker. The Brew Crew, despite their efforts, couldn’t withstand the Armadillos surge, leading to their elimination-from the playoffs. Goals came-from different players which is expected for how well rounded the Armadillos are built. Both goaltenders gave their side a fair opportunity to win the game, but it was C.Stavriadis that got the better of his counter part C.Muccino. The turning point could be argued when the Brew Crew took a third period penalty that enabled K.Koutsogiannopoulos to break the tie, and ultimately pave the road to a hard fought win.

The SalumiVino player of the night goes to Kevin Kuczmarski of the Altius. With his side looking down and out, K.Kuczmarski went on a game changing run providing three huge points that included the final dagger in overtime.

The E division is now down to its final four teams. The semi final match ups are as follows:

(1)Generals vs Krazy Train(5) This clash promises intense competition as both sides are eager to reach the final. Knowing each others tendencies will come into play. The Krazy Train know to be aware at the Generals firepower up front, and need to make it a point to play a solid defensive game. As long as G.Follano see’s that shot-from the outside, the Krazy Train will look for some timely counter attacks in order to catch the Generals off guard. Expect plenty of action from-the two sides that will compete extremely hard and provide a ton of thrilling moments.

(2)Fatal Demons vs Armadillos(3) This semi final match up will feature two teams that are built with plenty of depth due to their deep rosters. There should be no reason why this particular encounter wont be tightly contested. Each team have multiple weapons at their disposal. Key players, strategic line ups, and tactical decisions will likely play crucial roles in determining the outcome of the series.