Halifax Floor Hockey League
Prior to the game, the Hackers were given the unfortunate news that their star forward Jamie Houghton would not be available for the game. This was particularly painful because Houghton had scored 4 of the Hackers 6 goals against the Sabres in the last game of the regular season. This must have been all too familiar for Hackers captain John Dulong, since last season he was without star forward Spiro Bokolas when the Sabres defeated the Hackers 2-0 in last season's finale. This season, Bokolas was present, but as a member of the Lite-Sabres' squad.
The game began with both teams playing cautious hockey, wary of making the game's opening mistake. This was evident in the first period shots on goal, as there were only 19 total shots on goal in the first 15 minutes of play.
It was ex-Sabre Virag Pandya who finally managed to open the scoring to give the Hackers the first lead of the game. The much improved Pandya converted a John Price pass from behind the net, beating Sabres goaltender Chris McMaster between the legs.
The Sabres eventually fought back late in the period, when Bokolas deked Hackers goalie John Dulong out of position before potting the first Sabres tally of the game. Moments later, Sabres forward and 2002B leading scorer Damien Ho found himself alone in front of the Hackers' goal and gave the Sabres their first lead of the game -- a lead that would stand up at the end of the period.
The Hackers wasted no time in knotting the game at two in the second period. All-time leading scorer John Price took a Scott Ferguson pass in front of the Sabres net, did a 180 degree spin before beating McMaster between the legs. But Sabres defenseman Dan Culligan struck right back for the Sabres, putting the Sabres up 3-2.
After a scramble in front of the Sabres' net, Pandya appeared poised to score his second goal of the game into a yawning cage. But an out of position McMaster somehow managed to get his paddle on the shot and preserve the one goal lead.
Next, a beautiful spin and shot from Rookie of the Year Donnie Bailey beat McMaster to the blocker side to even the affair at two. But again the Sabres immediately struck back, when Adam Pettigrew's point shot deflected off a Hacker player past a helpless Dulong. For the defensive-minded Pettigrew, it was his first point in 6 games.
Bailey and Bokolas then traded goals in the relatively wide-open second period to make the score 5-4 Sabres. When all-time Sabres leading scorer Griffin then scored for the Sabres, it was the first time in the second period that a team had scored two consecutive goals.
With the seconds ticking down in the second period, Pandya took a John Price pass and beat McMaster along the floor with a quick shot that gave the Hackers the momentum entering the final frame, despite trailing 6-5.
The physical, defensive play returned in the third period, with neither team wanting to risk giving the ball away to create a scoring opportunity. It wasn't until about halfway through the final stanza when Sabres defenseman Mike Sullivan finally managed to open the period's scoring by pinching in and swatting a backhand in the open side of the Hackers' net.
The Sabres had no time to relax with the two goal lead, as a two-minute minor was assessed to McMaster shortly thereafter. A Delay of Game penalty left jaws dropped on the Sabres bench, and raised the spirits of the Hackers faithful. Just as the Sabres grit appeared to be winning out during the penalty-kill, Donnie Bailey was able to convert a Terry Davison pass during a scramble in from of the Sabres net to close the gap to 7-6.
With minutes ticking down, and the momentum firmly on the Hackers side, it seemed inevitable that the Sabres would blow a two-goal third period lead for the second consecutive game. It seemed even more certain when another scramble in front of the Sabres goal led to a wide-open John Price getting the ball with another yawning cage. But it was a miraculous diving mid-air paddle save by McMaster that kept the ball out of the net, and more importantly preserving the one-goal lead late in the game.
Shortly thereafter, the game's second star Spiro Bokolas was able to tally his hat-trick goal of the game, giving the Sabres an 8-6 lead with only about two minutes remaining. The Hackers would never be able to mount another serious challenge, and when the clock ticked to zero the Sabres had become only the second team in history to repeat as league champions.
An ecstatic Sabre squad mobbed goalie McMaster as the final whistle blew, as the Sabres fans in attendance burst into euphoric applause. Sabre defenseman Dan Culligan was heard after the game shouting "this is so much sweeter than last year!". Understandably so, since Culligan was absent during last year's victory.
For four of the Sabres playing in the game, it was their first championship: David Watson, Damien Ho, Spiro Bokolas, and Adam Pettigrew, plus absentee Owen Barnhill will get his name on the trophy in his rookie season. It was the second championship for Mike Sullivan, Dan Culligan and Dennis Drapeau, while Sabre veterans Dave MacKenzie, Chad Griffin, and Chris McMaster celebrated their third championship.
Despite the loss and despite the critics that had written them off, the Hackers had another incredibly successful season, finishing the season as the top offensive team in the league. With nobody else to point the finger at, many Hacker players declared that Hacker star defenseman Terry Davison was a "bad luck charm" and vowed never to play with him again. "It's all his fault," whined John Price after the game.
Light-scoring defenseman Mike Sullivan's third period goal turned out to be the game-winner. Sullivan has scored two goals in the last two league championship games -- amazingly, both of them were game-winners. McMaster won his 19th game in his last 20 starts in goal. A red-faced McMaster was quick to praise his teammates after the game, "I took a tonne of shots tonight right in the middle of the chest," he said, "which meant that our players were not giving the Hackers time to aim their shots."
Sabres forward David Watson, who was battling a cold, was on cloud nine after the game. "To never even win a playoff game before this season (cough cough)," wept Watson, "and then to win the championship...I'm beyond words". The Lite-Sabres' team physician Dennis Drapeau was quick to give Watson a diagnosis prior to the game. "Definitely a case of Lanhackeritis!" declared Dr. 'Double D'.
Back row: Bokolas, Ho, Pettigrew, Sullivan, Drapeau
Front row: Culligan, MacKenzie, McMaster, Griffin, Watson
Earlier in the evening, the ADC Lynx came from behind to defeat the Sunnydale Slayers to capture 3rd place overall.
PHOTOS:
> Richard Wannamaker and Rene Aucoin
> The Lynx Attack
> The Lynx shoot wide
> Ian Scott follows through on a shot
> Kenzie Royal and Rob Tyrrell celebrate a Slayers goal
> Chris Griffin and Wannamaker take a face-off
> Jason Fitzgerald scores from just over half
> The Lynx buzz around the Slayers goalmouth
