It was a date marked on the calendar and anticipated for some time.
The big day had arrived where the two best teams in the East would finally do battle with the regular season title hanging in the balance.
Both teams know each other very well and the dressing room was buzzing with chatter and strategy to try and gain an edge in what we knew would be a close game.
Oro 2 came out charging and took the game to us early
Flash and Connor started on wing and played well..learning on the fly and battling hard on puck all game.
Owen took the opening faceoff and shared the puck selflessly game long giving mates some terrific looks.
Justin was tested early on a clear cut breakaway from Owen D ...he stared him down with a great save.
But Owen would not be fooled twice; next time he ripped a low shot that found twine and gave Oro2 the early 1-0 lead.
1-0 Oro2 after the first.
There were many crazy plays in this one..posts, a goal that came after a whistle and even one each for both teams that seemed to go in/out so fast nobody knew for sure.
Oro 1 found their legs in the second and had many 2-1 and breakaways thwarted by Ryan who played a whale of a game as well. Both tenders cane up huge in this match
Into the third still down 1 and we told the team THIS is our period!
I was worried about weariness on our four defenders who aren't used to going all game every other shift but the fearsome foursome hung tough.
Oro2 had forced some turn overs pressuring the point earlier but the Harry and Colt adjusted well and began to make simpler plays eliminating the counterattacks. Earlier we were all guilty of trying a little too hard to get shots through shin pads as Oro 2 blocked the lanes extremely well
The Twin Towers of Power saved their best for last.
Simply extraordinary compete in chasing down any attacks and making strong plays in our zone
Hayden has taken coach's advice and so improved his speed and power at getting his big wrister off from the point and had many big rips.
Came so close to getting one tonight and played another fabulous all around game.
Magoo too was at his very best.
His top end speed was in full display chasing Owen D down on a partial break and is really beginning to show that Defensive MVP form from two years ago.
Outstanding performance from these two buds.
Third period saw us come so close but we were still unable to get on the board.
Aidan had led the backchecking tonight just as he has done all season...effort personified.
Jacob and Ty too had many great backchecks and we found the tables beginning to turn
With eight minutes to go Doogie found Jacob flying wide wing who shot a partially deflected? knuckleball that dipped and fooled Ryan.
Finally
We asked the boys to get to the dirty areas and Big Ben followed coach's instructions going to his house and helping draw a penalty late third.
On the late PP Aidan found Jacob high slot with 1:36 to go and this time he absolutely ripped a high shot bending twine sending the bench into a frenzy
Taz had been a force game long,showed a relentless determination to be a difference maker and co-player of the game honours with Justin.
With little time left we forced the game and never allowed Oro 2 to pull their keeper..shut down D
The buzzer went and Oro 1 was anxious to mob their tender...he who had offered them a chance to win this game with his fabulous netminding game long.
Another POG notched for league leading Justin who could win this award more nights than not.
Grace under pressure Justinator.
After the game Oro 1 was reminded they hadn't played their most complete game this season,yet still found a way to win
It will be a titantic battle going forward into the playoffs with these two very competitive squads
But for this night, we will take the W and celebrate a game that likely clinched the East title for Oro 1
All the extra work you have put in has paid off on a wonderful regular season...yet we still have a mountain to climb.
But for now,be proud of your accomplishments to date
You have earned it boys
Final ;
Oro 1 2-1 over Oro 2