Halifax Floor Hockey League
Lynx’ forwards Jason Fitzgerald and Mike Hashem opened the scoring, giving the Lynx a quick 2-0 head start. However, the rest of the first period belonged to the Hackers as they scored four unanswered goals to end the period, highlighted by a pretty coast-to-coast goal by Virag Pandya.
But the Lynx came out flying once again in the second period, scoring four of the period’s first five goals. In that span, Lynx defenseman Mike MacDonald set the record for the quickest back-to-back goals in the final, scoring two goals 34 seconds apart. Then again, this was the first final in which goal times were recorded.
The Hackers, trying to stay close entering the third period, let long-time Hacker John Price take command. Price scored his fifth and sixth goals of the game to end the second period, closing the Lynx lead to 8-7 at the second period intermission. Price’s goals were his first in two weeks, since his Hackers had a bye in the quarterfinals and he was shutout in the semi-finals.
In the third period, the Hackers showed the same grit that allowed them to finish the season undefeated, despite tying two games and winning three others by only one goal. Led by two more goals by Price, the Hackers scored the first four goals of the third period to take a stranglehold on the game.
The most controversial goal of the game turned out to be the game winner for the Hackers. With Price in control of the ball in the Lynx’ corner, Hacker’s forward Chris Rafuse broke free from his check to convert a pass from Price, and to give the Hackers a 10-8 lead. However, replays clearly showed that Rafuse pushed his checker, Jason Fitzgerald, into Lynx goalie Tony McCarthy, to facilitate the goal. In the ensuing brouhaha, both Fitzgerald and Rafuse were given offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, but the goal stood.
Lynx captain Richard Wanamaker led the Lynx comeback, scoring at the 13:16 mark of the third period to close the gap to 11-9, but that was as close as they would get. Despite pulling their goalie, the Lynx were not able to score any more goals, as they fell to the Hackers in the final for the second time in three seasons.
John Price led all players with seven goals and one assist, while Craig Mercer led a balance Lynx attack, scoring two goals and one assist.
Sabres Salvage Season
In what has traditionally been the most poorly attended game, the Keane Chill squared off against the Lite-Sabres to decide third place overall. Both squads floored severely depleted line-ups. The Chill made deals shortly before game-time with both the Lynx and the Sunnydale Slayers, to secure one-game contracts with both Blaise MacPhee and Kenzie Royal. MacPhee made his league debut in nets for the Chill while Royal’s presence gave the Chill a single sub.
The Sabres, also in a dire personnel situation, only managed to bring the minimum of 5 players to the game, which amounts to zero substitutions. Fortunately for the Sabres, their most fit players showed up, giving them a fighting chance.
Glen McCullough opened the scoring, as he neatly beat Sabres’ goaltender glove-side. Unfortunately for McCullough, he also plays on the Sabres. McCullough’s own-goal was credited to Chill forward Tony Joyce.
The Sabres managed to fight to a 4-2 first intermission lead, led by two goals apiece by Chad Griffin and Don Abbott.
The Sabres, desperately needing a substitution, wilted in the second period, allowing the Chill to explode for 5 goals, including three by scoring champion Rob Tyrrell. The Sabres only managed two second-period goals, giving the Chill a 7-6 second intermission advantage.
However, the third period belonged to the gritty Sabres. The Sabres’ Griffin brothers scored three straight goals to give the Sabers an insurmountable 9-7 lead. Sabres goalie Chris McMaster stopped the first 17 shots of the third period before succumbing in the final minute to Chill forward Dave Watson on a controversial goal preceded by a high-stick that was not caught by referee/statistician John Dulong. Dulong, claiming he was busy recording statistics, was oblivious to the flagrant foul. McMaster, who was in negotiations with Watson to secure a drive to next season’s games, was questioned after the game about the validity of the goal. “It was honestly one of the best goals ever scored on me, by one of my favourite players in the league. I only hope this budding superstar will continue to give me a drive to future games.”
