Mar 18, 2012 | bmiller | 818 views
Schlueter Hyundai vs. Pillers and Skills Plus
Schlueter Hyundai (4-0-1) finished off a busy St. Patricks Day weekend with a tie and a win against Pillers (3-1-1) and Skills Plus (2-2-1).
The team started the weekend off with a nail biter against Pillers. The two teams had played to a 1-1-1 record previously this season so an entertaining hockey game was expected, and both teams delivered. The line of Horvath, Wigmore-Lopez, and Anderson started things off quickly for Schlueter scoring just over two minutes into the opening frame. The lead was short lived however as Pillers would square things up three minutes later.
Horvath, Wigmore-Lopez and Anderson continued their strong play and answered for Schlueter the following shift to regain the one goal lead. The game would remain that way until late in the third period when Pillers scored two quick goals, one with 0.8 seconds remaining, to take a 3-2 lead into the third.
Schlueter would throw everything they could towards Pillers in the third and all three lines including Duquette, Davis, and J.DeMers as well as Dietrich, Flanders, and Noble had scoring opportunities. However they were not able to put one past the Schlueter goalie and with time winding down it looked like Pillers would walk away with the win.
With one minute remaining and control of the puck in Pillers end, Schlueter was able to go for broke and pull the goalie. The move turned out well as the extra attacker Davis was able to tie the game with 40 seconds remaining. With the game tied and less then ten seconds remaining Duquette, Davis and J. DeMers tried for a last second goal of their own. The Pillers goalie was able to come up with a big save and the game ended in a 3-3 draw.
The strong play by defense Garland, Domaratzki, Brookes, Jones, and Elhedhli cannot be overlooked. Most important was their play in the third period when they were able to keep the team within one. Schlueter finished the playoffs allowing only 9 goals against in five games, a testament to their strong play.
C. DeMers played great between the pipes and his solid play is another reason for the teams excellent goals against record.
Following the intense game Saturday Schlueter closed out the weekend in another tight game against Skill Plus. Skills came out hungry and took a quick one goal lead. However Horvath, Wigmore-lopez and Anderson continued their strong weekend and scored three minutes later to tie things up.
The teams would battle through a scoreless second period, heading into the third tied at one. After the Skills Plus goalie made a number of saves Duquette, Davis, and J. DeMers were able to put one past him three minutes into the third to take their first lead of the game. The line would score again their next shift to give Schlueter a two goal lead.
With two minutes remaining Dietrich, Flanders, and Noble were rewarded for their strong game as they were able to score a power-play goal making the final 4-1.
Haney, Elhedhli, Garland, Brookes, Domaratzki, and Jones once again played well defensively. The team is breaking out of their own zone more effectively and it all starts with a smart first pass from the defense.
C. Demers played in goal for the win finishing the playoffs with a tremendous 1.8 GAA.
The teams next action comes Friday as the house league year end tournament is set to begin.