Mar 24, 2013 | Joe Heinisch | 554 views
The Curtain Closes on Team Allstates' Season
Sunday March 24, 2013
Game Reporter: Jay Nijhuis
I would like to start this report off with an apology, it is my understanding that many fans were disappointed in the lack of game reports during the final 3 round robin playoff games of the season. This reporter was stuck in Orlando Florida covering the Bikini Olympics but rest assured I had spies sending me fully detailed game reports about the win and 2 ties I missed. I talked about those missed games in great detail as I compared tans with Miss Hungary poolside and raised a glass to the undefeated Team Allstate players who I knew were gearing up for the League Championship.
This reporter was quite surprised to discover that the boys in black were rewarded for going undefeated in the playoffs with a game Friday Night March 22 against our arch nemesis Schlueter Chevrolet. "Congrats on going undefeated, here's your reward!" Huh?
Any way the Boys in Black certainly had to feel much better about their chances after beating Schlueter in the round robin a few weeks previous, we knew we could beat them and the coaches reminded the boys about that fact. Team Allstate got off to a slow start getting down 2-0 early in the game, but like they have done all season, they showed grit, determination and character in coming back lead by Captain Joe V to tie the game 2-2. This reporter feels that Team Allstate out played Sclueter Chevrolet for most of the 2nd and 3rd period but we couldn't finish off multiple chances. The Schlueter Bruins potted two more goals to make the final score 4-2 and the Season Ending Tournament got real at that point and time.
The second game was Saturday March 23 at 8:00am against the Kitchener Rangers, a team that Team Allstate has some history with. The Kitchener Rangers were eliminated from the Christmas Tournament by Team Allstate and they had won their first game on Friday night which meant it was a do or die game for Team Allstate to have any chance of advancing. This game did not disappoint as both teams had point blank chances to score and the crowd began to realize that they were witness to an incredible goaltending clinic. Finally Alternate Captain Wes S. pulled off one of his patented end to end rushes and sniped a beautiful wrist shot high glove to make it 1-0. That score held up to be the final, despite the fact that the Kitchener Rangers pulled the goaltender with about 1:20 left in the third period. Team Allstate wouldn't concede the tying goal and goalie Jack L. secured a 1-0 shut out victory moving the Boys in Black to a 1-1 record.
The third and final game of the round robin portion of the League Championship Tournament was on Saturday March 23 at 3:30pm. The coaching staff was surprised to discover that our opponent Schlueter Hyundai had tied Schlueter Chevrolet earlier in the day which gave the Boys in Black hope of finishing the round robin in first place. As a matter of fact, if we won and the Kitchener Rangers won, Schlueter would be eliminated from the Championship Game.
There were anxious moments before our game as many of our parents were in the other arena trying to find out what would happen. The two teams tied 1-1 which meant if we won, we would finish first and have a rematch with Schlueter for the Title. We couldn't however overlook our opponent Schlueter Hyundai. It was another nail biter but thanks to Liam J., Wes S. and Joe V. Team Allstate skated off the ice with a 3-1 victory and a date with Schlueter in the final.
The Championship Game was Sunday March 24 at 10:45am at RIM Park, we were surprised to discover that we were ranked second and assigned the Visiting Team status for this game. The rules of the Tournament clearly stated that wins would be the first tie break, but that was obviously not the case. Perhaps it was foreshadowing of what was to come.
Now this reporter doesn't have a great memory, but I do remember a lot (like remembering that the Pillers Arena was also the site where Schlueter Chevrolet beat Team Allstate in the Christmas Tournament scoring 3 power play goals, two of those on a 5-3 penalty). I remember many parents wishing that referees didn't have to be the difference maker in that game. Well the Hockey Gods can be cruel sometimes as we were about to discover once again.
The Championship Game was outstanding with both teams trading chances, lots of speed, passing, forechecking and great goaltending with the score being 0-0 after two periods. The third period was a 15 minute period and fans were excited about an extra 5 minutes of great hockey. That's when the cruel Hockey Gods decided to rear their ugly heads once again. Team Allstate was given a too many men penalty early in the 3rd. The player coming off the ice never touched the puck and the consensus in the crowd was that it was a cheap call to make in a Championship Game. Team Schlueter managed to capitalize on the bad call and the spirt of Team Allstate and their fans just seemed to deflate a bit.
The Boys in Black continued to work their hardest, but they just couldn't get any traction on a Schlueter Chevrolet team that back checked like crazy. The final score was 3-0 Schlueter Chevrolet and the Team Allstate fans gave the team a huge round of applause and watched proudly as the boys had finalist medals placed around their necks.
This reporter has covered many games this season and in my opinion this Allstate Team improved greatly from Day 1 to the final day of the season. Every single player managed to improve and they learned how to be better players, better people, great friends and good sports.
If you look at the hardware the boys won it is pretty impressive...Christmas Tournament Finalists, February Freeze Champions and League Finalists. We have 3 amazing coaches to thank for the outstanding performance of this team. A huge thank you to Joe, Ray and Tim for giving up so much of their time to help our kids become better players. I know my child has never had more fun playing on a team and is already pretty upset that the season is now over.
It has been my honour covering Team Allstate this season and I hope my game reports and photos have added a little something special to your son's hockey season. I have really enjoyed it. Have a safe and happy summer and i'm sure we will bump into each other at the rink or in a dressing room next year. Just a reminder that Coach Joe will be emailing everyone in a week or so about one final team get together hosted by Wes S and his parents I believe.
Keep your stick on the ice!
Signing Off