Playoff Game # 5

        As each day passes, the excitement grows more and more  in the Chankavich cup finals and Tuesday the excitement reached its full potential. With the bleachers full of loyal fans, the series went back to FRC centurions home court as game 2 of the finals was about to take place. People lined up all night to get prime spots to witness this piece of sports history. The appetizer ended as the teachers won 3-0 which could only described as dull in comparison to what was to come next by those who were privileged enough to have a full hockey lunch hour. The team kept to tradition and held their routine warm up.  By looking at the warm-up you could tell that Gord Temp was ready for this game as his mind looked focused while taking the barrage of  shots by the team. 

    The whistle goes and head referee Willie MacDonald dropped the ball.  The team worked hard right off the opening drop and managed to create similar chances like how game 1 started too.  Luckily for the team the beginning had the same results as Ryan Buchanan potted his 3rd of the playoffs early to give the team a 1-0 lead.  Things looked to be going in the same direction as last game but you can never count this team out of it.  After a flurry of shots down in the other end, with goaltender David Flynn standing on his head, team first place captain Aaron Kirouac took things into his own hands and ran the ball up floor. He managed to find a bit of time and let go a shot from the right and picked the right corner. This tied the game up 1-1. 

    It was back and forth hockey after that, both teams created chances but the goalies coming up big with the saves. The first period would end scoreless, much like the trend of the second. The centurions were relentless in their shots on David Flynn but for everything they threw at him, he had an answer. Equally, the centurions had a couple of blips of their own, but also up to the task was Gord Temp who managed to turn away 17 shots that afternoon. The buzzer went after the second period, the game still tied at 1 and that meant, the dreaded sudden death overtime.        

    The teams started playing 3 on 3 for the first period of Overtime. The floor was more open and that meant more opportunities. The team played well, but there was one major scare, when sniper David Rivet, had a backhander hit official Willie MacDonald in the face and had an awkward bounce in front of the net. But Gordon used his great reflexes and managed to cover the ball before any damage was done. The buzzer went once again and we're off to another overtime period.

    This one was 2 on 2 as the centurions put out Bobbie MacDonald and Brett McCormac. You could cut the tension with a knife in that building. The puck dropped and immediately the centurions applied the pressure. Getting 2 quick shots on the first place goalie. That had Team First place rattled as Captain Aaron Kirouac was forced to retreat behind the net. Bobbie Macdonald attacked from the right forcing Kirouac to come out the left. Bobbie pressured him up along the board and then Brett McCormac poked away the ball and created a breakaway. With Kirouacs stick harassing him, Brett mccormac used blazing speed and managed to get away. He held on to the ball with composure like that  of a WHL player. He made Dave Flynn commit and roofed it above him. The Centurions win! The crowd went absolutely nuts! Be there or be square when the centurions have a chance to wrap it up at home Monday 12:35!

TSN's Monster Performer

Mr. BRETT MCCORMAC!

    TSN's MONSTER performer for the second game of the chankavich finals is a man who be hence forth known as Mr. Clutch as his goal in Double overtime, gave the centurions the strangle hold on the series putting them up 2-0. The goal was as beautiful as they can get as he made challenge for the ball while outrunning team first place superstar Kirouac. He showed more heart in that play and that's why it ended like it did. Scoring highlight reel goals is nothing new for the centurion assistant captain, as he scored another big goal against Danger Patrol. 

Hits and Misses

Hits

• Won game 2

• Great shots on net

• great job shutting down their big guns

Misses

• Not enough changes

• let things get too close

• need more traffic in front of Dave

Coach Chankavich's Keys for Next game

Tuesday was a great game for the fans to watch but too close for my likings. I know its said never critic a win but there are definite things that could have been improved. I want to see better preparation for Mondays game when we look to close out the series. It'll be tough but I know the boys can do it.  Until next time...

Ryan Chankavich

Coach Chankavich