Hackers Nip Lynx 9-8, Move Closer to Bye

The Hackers squared off against the ADC Lynx Tuesday night in a game they had to win to keep their hopes of a first round playoff bye alive. The Hackers were missing their starting goalie, captain, and inspirational leader, John Dulong, who was rumoured to have abandoned his team upon learning they would not finish in first place this season. Starting in goal for the second time this season was Virag Pandya, who had lost his only other start.

The Lynx were missing the services of their leading scorer Blaise MacPhee, who they hadn't won without all season. MacPhee was on a self-declared olympic break while he tried out for the Canadian National Floor Hockey team. With a win, the Lynx would secure second place and more importantly, a first round bye.

After Chris Rafuse opened the scoring for the Hackers, Mike Hashem scored two straight to give the Lynx an early 2-1 lead. But the Hackers grew stronger as the period progressed. Rafuse added two late first period goals to give the Hackers a 3-2 first intermission lead -- a lead they would not relinquish.

The second period belonged to first-year Hacker Spiro Bokolas. Bokolas scored three goals and an assist in the second period, hoisting the Hackers into a seemingly insurmountable 8-3 lead.

But anything can happen in the FHL -- and it usually does. This night was no exception, as the Lynx fought back to within one goal, 9-8. But Pandya held strong late in game, and was helped by a last minute goalpost that would have tied the game. Instead, the Hackers prevailed 9-8, giving them the opportunity to clinch 2nd place with a win or tie next week.

Craig Mercer led the Lynx with four goals and one assist, while Richard Wanamaker and Mike Hashem added 4 points apiece.

The Lynx will now need some help if they want to finish 2nd overall. They need to beat the Slayers next week, have the Hackers lose to the first-place Sabres, and improve their plus/minus differential with the Hackers by at least 4 goals.