Franchise Hockey 9 Overfelt 4
Pioneer 6 Franchise Hockey 1
The Franchise lost 6-1 to Pioneer, one game away from the championship. However, the 2007 Winter League will be remembered for the team's huge playoff upset. Captain Matt King led the way with a season-high five goals, while Myles Rowland chipped in three to compensate for Kris Anderson's one-game suspension.
Rowland opened the scoring early in the first period against Overfelt, beating the goaltender five-hole. After Overfelt answered following a defensive turnover, King scored his first of the game top-shelf. Again, Overfelt had the answer and took a 3-2 lead. Josh Capelle tied the game moments later, but, then, it was King's time.
King went on to score three consecutive goals, spanning the second and third period. The highlights were a hesitation deke off a faceoff, a tip off a Sheraj Ragoobeer drive and a beautiful wrister from the slot off a Capelle pass.
Then, an Overfelt player took a run at King. King was shaken up with an injured chest and shoulder. The injury would come back to haunt the Franchise as King was clearly ailing during the second game.
Following the player's ejection and a bench minor for unsportsmanlikeconduct after his coaching staff reacted angrily, King scored his fifth of the game on a beautiful lead pass from Brian Reich. Rowland sealed the deal with two more goals, beating the entire Overfelt defensive on single plays.
The win was a huge one for the Franchise, as it energized the team and snapped the six-game losing streak. The Franchise dropped the second game to Pioneer, but the day was still a successful one.
Ragoobeer took a pass from King in the third period to spoil Pioneer's shutout. The game was highlighted by several unbelievable stops from Mikey Stanzler, including two breakaway robberies. After a player poked Stanzler after the whistle and then shoved Cam Rowland on the next play, Reich stepped in and challenged him.
Franchise Hockey will open the 2007 Spring League this upcoming weekend. The team will end the winter with a good taste in their mouths.
Box Score:
Game 12:
1st Period:
M. Rowland 16 (King, Cornelius)
King 10 (Capelle)
Capelle 3
King 11 (M. Rowland)
2nd Period:
King 12 (Ragoobeer, Capelle)
King 13 (Capelle, Ragoobeer)
3rd Period:
King 14 (Reich, Stanzler)
M. Rowland 17 (Merk)
M. Rowland 18 (Merk, Ragoobeer)
Goaltending:
Stanzler 4-5 (4 GA)
Game 13:
3rd Period:
Ragoobeer 1 (King, M. Rowland)
Goaltending:
Stanzler 4-6 (6 GA)
Captain's Thoughts:
The stage was set. Playoffs, star player suspended, short bench, big rivalry. The result? Franchise Hockey came through with its biggest win in history, thoroughly dominating Overfelt. I know I speak for the team when I say that we did not like Overfelt. Their players were dirty, their coach was obnoxious, and their two wins were extremely dissatisfying for us.
This helps.
Myles was spectacular on offense and defense, Robby and Josh were simultaneously very good, Brian did all the little things right, Sheraj jump-started the offense and anchored the defense with Ray, the Cam-Chris C. pairing was solid, and Mikey rebounded from a shaky start. All in all, it was beautiful.
The Pioneer game was definitely frustrating, as the referees somehow decided to swallow their whistles. But it was good to have a big lineup, and the team put up a physical battle until the end.
This team is full of a bunch of battle-tested warriors now. See you next season, i.e. Friday.-
Your Captain
#37