Mar 29, 2014 | Albert Ross | 1640 views
Midget LL2's Crowned League Champions!
Having
secured the top slot in round-robin play-off action the Midget Husky LL2’s had
home ice advantage when they began their best of 3 series against the Paris
Wolfpack to decide which team would be the Grand River League Midget Champion
for 2014.
The puck dropped on March 18 but things did not go well for the Dogs. Paris led by a goal through two periods with a disappointed home team suffering a disallowed goal in the process. In the dying seconds of the third, Brandon Tracey matched a second Paris goal on a power-play but it wasn’t enough to stave off defeat. It was a humbling 2 – 1 loss that the Huskies took to heart as they prepared for game 2 in Paris on March 26. Facing elimination, the Dogs were once again down by one after a period of play characterized as tough and physical. The mood on the bench changed and it was a different Husky team that took to the ice in the second period. The refuse-to-lose attitude took the form of crisp cycling plays when the Dogs went to the power-play early. The pay-off came when team captain Eric Noseworthy tallied from the slot on some fantastic team play from Andrew Just, Tyler Griffith and Pat Glofcheskie. With Chris Thrush solidifying the back end on repeated Paris thrusts, the Dogs got their own offensive going. The pressure was getting to the hosts and the Pack were once again applying blistering cycling plays as the frame wound down. The pressure continued as even strength returned in the third with the reward coming from the stick of Griffith. A stretch pass from Sean Boake found Griffith racing to the net and a backhand to the short side put his team in the lead for the first time in the series. The Wolfpack fought back and the Husky defense was sorely tested. Mackenzie Rykmann, Colton Hussey, Boake and Glofcheskie were at the top of their game, blunting the worst that Paris could bring but it was Thrush that stood out as he continued to frustrate the attackers. A holding call against the Dogs at the 2 minute mark put the hosts in the drivers seat but a misplay deep in the Paris end was a golden opportunity for Tracey as he popped one in unassisted on the turnover. Paris couldn’t recover and the Huskies 3 – 1 win forced a third and deciding game at home on March 27. With a championship on the line, both teams came out playing hard but for the third time in as many games, Paris found the net first on a turnover. It was end-to-end action up to the second frame with neither side moving the needle further. The Husky opener came just as a Paris penalty expired. Forwards, Just and Griffith executed a classic 2 on 1 drive with Just’s centering pass being delivered by Griffith into the rigging to tie the contest. With momentum on their side, the Pack continued their offensive with the payday coming late in the frame. Securing the puck at center ice, Just bolted to the net, split the Paris defense and beat the goalie on the short side. The third period was warfare on ice as both teams took the physical aspect to new levels. Penalties were levied to both teams but Paris was getting the worst of it. It was their undoing as the Huskies kept the puck deep and ran out the clock. When the buzzer sounded, the Huskies had the 2 – 1 win in hand that gave them the Grand River League Championship title. It was a long road to that moment but the team has a right to be proud of their achievements. The New Hamburg Huskies Midget LL2 players: Damian Naylor, Tyler Griffith, Brandon Tracey, Owen Houle, Andrew Just, Eric Noseworthy, Robert Bowman, Cam Gingerich, Connor Ross, Colton Hussey, Pat Glofcheskie, Sean Boake, Canden Addley, Mack Ryckmann, Chris Thrush and Jamie Rennick along with coaching staff Duane Gingerich, Duane Houle, Mark Naylor, Adam Jantzi and Al Ross would like to thank the team sponsors, Puckson Inc. and the Electronic Design Group along with our families, friends and fans for your support all year. Together, you’ve helped make this year one to remember.