Before WOAA playoffs commence, teams compete with one another for the pecking order that they will battle in after their league season is complete. Some would argue that if you aren’t number 1 that you should strive to be the top of the bottom half with the hopes of winning that championship. Others think you should play to WIN every single game you play. And if you don’t win, well at least you know you gave it your all and tried your very best which will only aid you in winning future games. That is how you ultimately win championships!
On February 1st the Bantam LL boys travelled to Lucknow with a short bench, but full of determination. They ended the 1st period with a 2 to 0 lead. Basil VOROS scored first followed by Carter YOST. The scoreboard was on fire during the 2nd period as YOST increased their lead by one early on in the period. Lucknow answered back with two quick goals. The pressure was on so YOST, singlehandedly, scored his team another goal and acquired him a HAT TRICK in the process. Kole HUNT scored Mitchell’s fifth goal giving them what seemed to be a comfortable lead. Now, you can’t assume that just because there are only 12 seconds left on the clock that the period is over, because with just 11.3 seconds Lucknow scored again! 5 to 3 is now the tally. Lucknow wants to win…and we can’t let that happen. The 3rd period commenced with Lucknow scoring again and then again to tie up the game. It was at this point that the lines were shuffled back, but to no avail, and the game ended in a 5 to 5 tie.
The last game in regular season play was a home game on February 3rd against BCH. Once again the boys competed with a short bench, or maybe we’ll just call this their regular sized bench, of 10 kids. At any rate, they certainly had their work cut out for them but they did not disappoint their fans. BCH scored 25 seconds into the game. Seriously?! Ugh! Mitchell would not let this set the tone for the game so, shortly thereafter; Wade MONDEN gave his team a 2 to 1 lead before the end of the 1st as he scored the first goal off of a rebound shot with the assistance of Kurtis DEJONG and Will STEINBACH. The second was a tad bit fancier as he went around the outside, across the goal line, then did a spin and back handed it through the goalie’s legs. Denzyl FINLAYSON and Cole WILTON assisted with this performance. This gave Mitchell the lead and they never let it go. YOST scored in the 2nd with the assistance of HUNT and despite BCH recording one more in the 3rd they were not able to acquire anymore allowing us to skate away with a 3 to 2 win.
League play is now over and playoffs will commence on February 14th at 7:30pm in Monkton where we will meet up with the Listowel Cyclones.
And, in case you were wondering, that puts us at the top of the bottom half.