Halifax Floor Hockey LeagueThis is Billy Concarney here and let's get right at it.
The first game of the night was between the top seed Fire and the shocking Hackers, who just last week knocked off the top team during the regular season. The Hackers finished last remember.
Well, tonight was going to be different. Without two of their key players in Gill Momborquette and Tony Joyce, things would be hard enough...but now throw their goalie Tom Wynn into the mix and these guys are done like a turkey on Thanksgiving day!
The Fire faced off against the Chill the previous week, who played without their regular goalie. One was wondering if maybe Adam Schellenberg was paying guys to stay home!
So, in Tom's place came one valiant hero like figure...in Greg Sullivan. Greg dressed like he knew what was going on. He knew this would be a high scoring game. heck everyone did.
The ball dropped and to no one's surprise the Fire opened the scoring when Adam Schellenberg took a feed from Braden Urquhart that left Greg Sullivan wondering what the whistle was all about. The Hackers answered back with a goal from Roy Monk on a pass from Rob Tighe.
Adam then scored again with a boomer from the point, but Chad Banks quickly answered back to even this up after one.
Start the second period. It was just a matter of time before the Fire would open up those flood gates and send Sullivan packing. Braden Urquhart scored twice followed by Chad Banks. The Fire were starting to get their game on. Braden scores again!...but then so does Cooper and Banks again. These guys are staying close.The Fire then scored two more unanswered goals from Rogers and Mullen. The second period ends with the Fire leading 7 - 5. Surely this is all over.
The third period starts and Hackers draw within one on a goal from Mark McGuigan. But Braden grabs another to keep that two goal spread. Roy Monk scores...lead is cut to one once again.Rob Tighe throws a prayer at the net from his own end and a misplay by the usually stellar Bobby Zwicker means that the game is tied.
Could it be?
The Fire's D Man Eric Gale scores followed by Braden Urquhart and they have their two goal cushion back. But we know the Hackers...they never quit. Chad Banks grabs another goal and the lead is cut to one. Time is ticking and ticking and ticking 10 more seconds and this one is in the books...but Dave Cooper is not done folks. He takes a feed from Chad banks and burries it to tie the game with 5 seconds left...No way! This is not happening.
All the while Greg Sullivan has been a quiet hero, staying in his own little space but making some saves to keep his team in this one.
Folks...we are headed for a shoot out! The Fire have way too much fire power to let this one slide.
Now due to some poor record keeping, the rest of the story is a blur, but I will do my best to recall the events as explained by a very non observant ref (lol)
The Fire opt to shoot second.
First up for the Hackers is Dave Cooper. Bobby Wicker shuts him down!
First shooter for the Fire is Braden Urquhart. He has 5 already and was poised for his 6th. In he comes and shoots, but Sulli flashes the leather and makes a HUGE save to shut him down.
Next shooter is Chad Banks..He scores! one shoot out lead for the Hackers
Next shooter for the Fire is Adam Schallenberg. He scores! all tied at one.
Next shooter is Mark McGuigan who scored a sweeeeeet goal. Hackers are one save from the second upset of the playoffs!
Wade Mullen steps up for the Fire. He shoots.....Sulli stops him! The Hackers pull off the most prolific upset in HFHL modern era playoff history! Wow...that's all I can say...wow!
Hackers take this one 12-11...
The next game saw two pretty even teams. the Titans are loaded with big shot fire power, while the Slayers are young guns on the run.
This game was a great one and the first period was a good way to start. Kane and Boudreau faced a barrage of shots and after one it was tied 1-1.
second period starts off with the Slayers taking control early. they score fast and often and after the second have a commanding 6-2 lead.
But we all know that no lead in the HFHL is safe. The Titans try to mount a comeback and score three goals but Shane Erb silences their bid for the next round by scoring a goal and sealing their fate. When it is all said and done, the Slayer take this one by a score of 7-5
So there you have folks. This weeks Eastside Mario's Player Of The Game award is going to none other then Greg Sullivan. The people's hero and one very deserving man who has a new found respect for old fat guys who have to put the gear on and stop the shots...right Sulli?!
So the finals are set. The Slayers will choose the floor and time and the Hackers will show up...probably with most of their players and their keeper back...poised to pull off yet another upset for the ages and be the first teapot finish last during the regular season and then stomp everyone else to the ground to win it all. Will it happen? Can they finish this Cinderella story? You will have to come see for yourself next week on Monday night at Stad...time to be announced later.
This is Billy Concarney saying so long and remember...it's not over until the fat lady sings....or makes a bunch of saves ;0)
Be well folks!