Mar 19, 2015 | goldfield | 940 views
Mission Impossible Complete-Oro Into the Championships
Apologies for the late game report but it has taken this long for the bitterness of our final playoff match to ebb away.
It is an indictment of our game that a team can steal joy from a proud accomplishment with such chronically unsportsmanlike and recklessly violent behaviour.
Sadly,this was all too predictable
I have railed against said conduct since I began coaching,but for now will simply say this;
the buck stops with the Coach(s) and then ultimately the Organization/League to control on ice player conduct
On that front they have failed this season.... to the detriment of the majority who insist on teaching the kids to play clean and sportsmanlike above all else.
Now onto the game
We came into this final playoff game still alive only due to an amazing string of wins against the best teams in our league; this team knows no quit.
I told the boys pregame we needed one more,but knew in my mind that a tie or even a loss of 2 goals or less would do the trick; no sense planting those seeds
First period we came out storming but had trouble generating quality chances.
Stayner's keeper has been outstanding in all games we have faced them and this was no exception
Two powerplay opportunities were missed and we rolled into the second period knotted at zeros.
Second period saw the visitors take an early 1-0 lead and we calmly said no problem,lets get it back
Four minutes later on another PP saw our team finally bury a biscuit on a point shot from Harry that Doogie jammed home. 1-1
The Cyclones immediately answered, however, to take a 2-1 lead late into the second
There was a goalmouth scramble where Owen and Doogie had been thwarted but Eddie, who was stationed in great position, went top shelf in tight and tore the roof off the joint
The crowd and bench was ecstatic both for the team and the big guy who scored likely the most important goal of his career. So happy for you Fast Eddie...such an important, big moment marker that probably salvaged our season.
One to remember for a lifetime.
We captured the momentum and Eric took a head man breakout pass from Ty to go in all alone and bury his second goal on the day. Clutch Doogie once again.
3-2 into the third and Oro let it's guard down a bit thinking we had this wrapped up perhaps.
Where we had dominated the zone play earlier,Stayner now began to rush effectively and Justin was forced to make some big stops.
With 8 mins to go Stayner got their critical third goal...so now only a tie or win would get us through.
Playing spoilers is often what teams relish most when their seasons are effectively finished and were it not for the melee to finish the third,this was a more possible outcome.
But our boys weathered the storm on two fronts and the Justinator was superb in the final stanza.
There was one top shelf stick save where I turned to Coach Rob and said "that could have been the season" but Justin would have no part of that.
There were some nervous moments before the clock ticked down but I had told the boys late third "a tie works too...play hard defense/one man in" so they lined up to shake hands knowing the mission was complete
Player of the Game honours went to Eddie and Doogie and in the room we told the boys how proud everyone was of them season long and through these highly competitive playoffs
I spoke afterwards with The Collingwood 1 coach who graciously shook my hand congratulating our team on their accomplishment.
He was pleased that the two best regular season teams will now face off for all the marbles in a series where there can be no losers...both teams have had remarkable successes to date.
A tip of the hat to Oro2 ,Midland and especially Collingwood 2 who play as a complete a team game as we have seen all year. We feel fortunate to have gotten past you.
Congratulations to all teams making the final six as this is no small achievement in an 18 deep league and special kudos to Midland who did it battling key injuries all year.
Oro 1 will now represent the East in the Championship Series to the best of our abilities.... just as we have witnessed game in and game out.
One last time with all our Thunder.
Final
Oro 3- Stayner 3