Halifax Floor Hockey LeagueLet's take a look at what went down this past week.
Sabres vs Bulldogs
The Dogs are trying to creep into the playoff picture on a couple of winning notes. The Sabres are struggling and have been since the mid way point of the season.
The Bulldogs had all of their bodies this night and came out firing on all cylinders.
The first period saw these teams go back and forth, but the Sabres came out on top with a 3-2 lead after one.
The second was a crap shoot as both teams decided to put away and defensive strategy at all and go for the gusto.
The problem with that was the gusto came in the form of keepers being left alone to fair for themselves and goals galore!
The Dogs scored the first two goals of the period taking and early period lead. The Sabres came storming back with two of their own and it was a 5-4 for but not for long...as the Dogs scored two back to back to take the lead once more...but hold on...The Sabres scored two and so the seesaw battle continued with the Sabres up by one after 3...holy moly that was a hand full!
Score was 7-6 after two
The third saw the Dogs take ownership as the Sabres played very random in their own end. The Dogs score...tie it up. Sabres score...take the lead. Then Bryce Keating steps up and muscles Matt Power off the ball and feeds a pass to the net and Brad Lawlor literally pokes it home to tie the game.
The dying seconds of the third and Bryce Keating finds himself behind the net once again. Both D from the Sabres stand there watching him while Stephane Bourdage comes to the from of the net and receives a pass while he was wide open to bury a shot in the top corner. Dogs take the lead and hold on to win this one by a score of 9-8
Oddly enough both goalies played great games, Wynn making about 4 spectacular saves in the third to give his boys a change to win...and win they did.
Notables were Kevin had dad who had a hat trick and then everything else was spread out. Great game on the offensive end...but the D was offensive as well! lol
Hackers vs Slayers
The Hackers have been their usual dominant selves this season. Dave Cooper seems to pick a great team season after season. The Slayers have been hit or miss this season. they have great talent and have had decent goals tending but seem to miss the mark most nights.
Tonight saw a tight game as both goalies played solid and the score sheet was not as full as usual.
Both teams traded goals in the first and it was 1-1 heading into the second.
The second saw the Hackers add one to their totals, however, the Slayers added two goals from Jonathan Darnbrough and carried a one goal lead into the third.
The third saw the hackers step it up early as they grabbed two goals early to take the lead. But the Slayers were persistent and answered back with two of their own and when it was all said and done, the Slayers took this game by a score of 5-4. Great game by both teams,
Notables were Kyle Bayers who had 3 goals and 2 assists and Dave Cooper who had 2 goals.
Fire vs Titans
So the titans have become the leagues proverbial whipping boy this season with not a point to record. The Fire have a solid defensive team, probably the better D team this season and add a few scorers and this makes for a tough task for any team on a Monday night.
This Monday saw the Titans score the only goals of the first and also the first goal of the second? Could this be a different result than usual? Well...in short...nope. The Fire tallied the next 4 goals while the titans added one more to their numbers and after the second the Fire led 4-3.The Fire drew first blood to start the third but the Titans answered back and the teams traded goals but the fire just scored more. When it was all said and done, the Fire took this one 7-5. Notables were Sean Fitzgerald with a hat trick and Chris Sampson with a pair of goals and a pair of assists.
Bob Strum faced 40 shots and turned aside 35 to earn this weeks HFHL Player of the Week honours.
The titans are looking for their first win this season and have one more chance to make it so. But don't count these guys out in the play offs...thats for darn sure!
Chill vs Lynx
This was a rather low scoring affair by league standards. The Chill were welcoming their keeper/savior in Paul Highmore who has missed the season with a lower body injury. He sure didn't let them down with his come back!
Both keepers were stingy in this one.
First period saw one goal by Eric Eisener and the chill had a one goal lead headed into the second.
The second saw the Lynx come out quick as they grabbed two goals to the Chills one and this one was tied 2-2 after the second.
the third saw the Chill turn it up a notch as they fired 14 shots at Burgoyne but they were rewarded with three goals. The Lynx grabbed one more but the Chill ended up on top i this one with a score of 5-3
Notables were Craig Burgoyne who faced 47 shoots and turned aside 42 while the Chill had Eric Eisener and Sam Haliburton each with a goal and an assist.
Thats how it looked from here folks.
We have one game left and a log jam in the middle of the pack.
The Chill stand atop with 15 points while the Hackers are nipping at their heals with 14. The Chill square off against the Bulldogs who are looking to complicate things with a win to end their season. The Hackers have to face the Fire to end the season and this will be a test for both teams.
The Fire are in third place but if they lose to the Hackers this week and the Lynx win...they will move into fourth.
The Sabres and the Slayers are fighting for 5th right now, but that could change depending on how the Lynx fair this week.
the Dogs could move up but doesn't look like a win will change their placement too much.
the Titans are dead last but are playing for pride this week.
Its a crap shoot folks! thats all I can say.
This is Billy Concarney saying so long and we will see how things unfold come Monday night.
Be well folks!