Thursday March 10 (Quarter finals)

S.Catalano shines in net as the Islanders sweep past the Kings

(5)Islanders vs Kings(2)

Led for their formidable goaltender S.Catalano, who stood as an impenetrable wall in net, the Islanders thwarted the Kings offensive attempts time and again. His stellar performance between the pipes instilled confidence in his teammates, allowing them to focus on executing their offensive strategy with precision. It was the father son tandem that got the ball rolling with T.Passarelli and A.Passarelli striking early for a 2-0 lead. M.Barone was then able to widen the gap, and the Islanders looked to have a serious grip in the game despite giving up their first goal by N.Lobasso. The Kings hoped that tally would spark their bench for more to come. But with the Islanders remaining composed and resilient while knowing that Catalano was right behind them, the panic button was far-from being pressed. Eventually, the Islanders got some breathing room when P.Labateya and M.Scarpetta scored late to put the series away. With their impressive performance, the Islanders showcased that they have the elements in order to be a formidable opponent in their playoff journey.

The Allo Mon Coco Ste Dorothee player of the game goes to Santino Catalano of the Islanders. Throughout the game, S.Catalano demonstrated remarkable reflexes and anticipation, making a series of crucial saves to deny the Kings scoring attempts.

Blackhawks edge Flyers with D.Greco’s heroics in overtime

( 8 )Blackhawks vs Flyers(7)

In a jaw dropping display of incredible back and forth action, the fans were treated to an unforgettable showdown that will be talked about for a while. Both teams came out blazing in search of getting an edge forcing the goaltenders to remain extremely focused. With the game having many explosive opportunities, each side refused to back down. The Blackhawks did however trail a few extra times but managed to catch up with swift counter attacks and precision. E.Allen had already scored twice before completing his hat trick to tie the game late for the Blackhawks. Allen wasn’t the only one to spread his finger prints all over the score sheet. Z.Giosi and E.Gabrielli joined the action as well sharing three points each for the Blackhawks while T.Angelis and M.Destounis did what was expected for the Flyers causing most of the havoc offensively. The two players notched hat tricks while M.Saia contributed with three points. This game may have had many defining moments, but perhaps the most significant occurred in overtime. Led by one of their main pieces, D.Greco connected on an outstanding play with Z.Giosi, who fed him a brilliant pass that forced D.Greco to do the unthinkable, and that was to shoot the ball. That was his only goal after setting up five teammates beforehand, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

The Allo Mon Coco Ste Dorothee player of the game goes to Daniel Greco of the Blackhawks. His impact on the outcome was undeniable, as he dazzled fans and teammates alike with his exceptional skill and vision which resulted in an impressive six points that included the sudden death winner.

Late surge propels Panthers over Wild in playoff thriller

( 8 )Panthers vs Wild(4)

The game started with both teams trading blows, as the Wild and the Panthers exchanged goals in a back and forth battle. With neither side willing to give up an inch, the intensity on the rink was palpable, setting the stage for a showdown that would keep spectators on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer. As the game progressed, the Wild and the Panthers were locked up at three goals apiece. Then, an untimely penalty by the Wild enabled the Panthers to capitalise on a golden chance. L.Iacuessa seized the moment by beating S.Sauk to pull the Panthers ahead. With the games next goal being so crucial, the Panthers got their first, this time courtesy of M.Rossi. The extra gear proved to be pivotal as the Panthers knew they had their opponent by simply applying constant pressure while committing to a conscious coverage without the ball. M.Kardum would than add his second as did Iacuessa to cap off a hard fought win for the Panthers. Despite a valiant effort-from the Wild, the Panthers offensive onslaught was a little to much to handle . The Panthers performance was a testament to their resilience and determination, as they weathered the Wild’s early pressure and found their stride when it mattered the most. With their well rounded attack ,and clutch playmaking, the Panthers demonstrated why they’ll be a difficult out for any opponent.

The Allo Mon Coco Ste Dorothee player of the game goes to Ben Verducci of the Panthers. Throughout the intense playoff battle against the Wild, Verducci stood tall between the pipes, turning aside shot after shot with remarkable saves.

Resilient Sabres roar back to defeat Predators

(4)Predators vs Sabres(6)

What began as a promising start for the Predators turned into somewhat of a disappointing end. The Predators showed more purpose and conviction early on giving it to the Sabres that eventually resulted in a 3-1 lead. B.Panarello had just scored a nifty penalty shot goal, and D.Apikian could no wrong in net making a bunch of key saves. The Sabres knew something had to give if they planned on turning the tide. Scoring only one goal under 32 minutes just wont cut it. Since the deficit wasn’t so high, one goal would have easily put them back into contention. Finally, that moment came when J.Valcenti got to Apikian for a rare time. Energized by that tally, the Sabres continued to press forward capitalising on more opportunities that put the Predators on their heels. Out of nowhere, the Sabres had seized control of this contest dictating most of the pace which resulted in five goals during the final stretch of the game. Sometimes, it takes one player to take the bull by the horns in order to shift the tides, but not for the Sabres as they relied on everyone to pull their weight. J.Choudhry was the only player to score twice with the offense widely spread out. As the final buzzer sounded, the Sabres celebrated their hard fought triumph , while the Predators were left to ponder what might have been.

The Allo Mon Coco Ste Dorothee player of the game goes to Ricky Testa of the Sabres. The net minder demonstrated his readiness to face the challenge, making key saves to keep the opposition at bay. His calm demeanour and sharp reflexes provided confidence for his teammates, allowing them to play with greater freedom and aggression knowing that Ricky had their back.

As the tension mounts and the stakes escalate in the Sunday Draft division, the competition has reached a thrilling crescendo with the arrival of the semi final round. With only four teams remaining, each vying for supremacy on the rink, the stage is set for intense battles and memorable moments as the quest for glory intensifies. The semi final match ups promise to deliver high-octane action and drama, with every pass, shot, and save carrying immense significance. The players know that the margin of error is razor thin and each decision could tip the scales in favour or defeat. The match ups are as follows:

(2)Blackhawks vs Sabres(11) Both teams bring unique strengths and strategies to the rink, setting the stage for an intense battle that is sure to captivate the fans and players. For the Blackhawks, they boast a roster with exceptional talent and finesse. Facing that quality, the Sabres are tenacious and very difficult to play against. Their sheer determination and grit can get them over the top if they keep frustrating the Blackhawks offense. Time will tell as the fans will be in for an exhilarating showdown.

(3)Panthers vs Islanders(4) Both these teams will enter with a ton of confidence. The Islanders excel at grinding out victories and capitalising on their opponents mistakes. The only problem may be trying to beat out B.Verducci enough times. If the Islanders can figure him out, the Panthers will struggle despite having two lethal forwards in M.Chenier and M.Kardum. Ultimately, the outcome of this playoff match up will come down to which team can impose their will and execute their game plan more effectively.