Midget LL3s Named A-pool Finalists, News, Midget LL3, U18, 2016-2017 (New Hamburg Hockey Association)

This Team is part of the 2016-2017 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Mar 25, 2017 | Albert Ross | 618 views
Midget LL3s Named A-pool Finalists
The New Hamburg Midget Huskies Midget LL3s had a big job in front of them on March 23 when the puck dropped at the Wilmot Recreation Complex. Having lost game 1 in a 5 – 0 route to their fraternity brothers, the Midget LL2s, the LL3s faced a must-win situation for game 2 of the best-of-3 championship finals.

It was clear from the outset that neither team was giving ground in the fast-paced first period. In spite of best efforts, Josh Potts, representing LL2, notched the first point in a scrum that would remain the only goal for the frame. LL2, the league leading team in scoring, sorely tested Carter Schwartzentruber in the second frame with 6 credible scoring chances that he was able to turn away. For their part, the LL3s returned the favour with some nice opportunities coming from Ryan Pierson and Alex Wagler. When the buzzer went to conclude the period, it was still a one-goal game. That changed early in the third when Tim Wenn of the LL2s drove hard for the LL3 net and bashed in his own rebound to take a 2-goal lead. Schwartzentruber was again tested but further LL2 attempts proved fruitless. Momentum shifted at the halfway mark when the LL3s began to take the game into the offensive zone. Coach Duane Gingerich called for a time out at the 4-minute mark to give them the break they’d need for a last stand assault to turn the tide. With Schwartzentruber on the bench, the LL3s used the 6 on 5 to get a blizzard of pucks to the LL2 net. Repeated attempts by the LL3 squad came so very close but lucky bounces were not in the cards that night and goalie Colton Holba proved to be the hero for the LL2 squad. With less than a minute remaining, a desperate rink length LL2 shot tallied on the empty LL3 net sealing the 3 – 0 loss for the LL3s. It was an inspired game played by two well-coached and determined opponents. The LL2s secured the A-pool Championship with the underdog LL3s grabbing the Finalist spot. Hockey does not get much better than this! The LL3s would like to thank their families, friends and all those that supported them this season as they strove for the title.