Feb 04, 2013 | KWhite | 333 views
Black Bandits Open Playoffs with 3-2 win
It became more exciting at the end than it probably should have been, given that the boys were up 3-0 with just 6 minutes to play. But somehow or other, the Black Bandits managed to win the final face-off in our end to preserve a 3-2 victory, after the Orange Bandits had surged back with 2 late goals to make it close.
Goaltending was the story in the third period, when Ben faced 15 shots, after having only had to turn aside 10 in the first two periods combined. One of the goals that beat him was gloved in, and the other was on a mad scramble with him already sprawled out flat... so neither goal was cheap. On the other side, the Black Bandits scored 3 goals for the first time in memory. And, in fact, a very legitimate goal was waived off, which would have made it four. Every goal was the result of hard work.
Cory scored a beautiful goal to begin the scoring, early in the second period, skating hard to catch up to a pass from Ryan Heatherington, an AP defenseman who played very well all game. The second goal was scored thanks to hard work from Benoit, Tim and Ryan G., Ryan finally banking one in off a defender's skate. And the third goal started with an excellent rush from Patrick, who dropped it off to Brett, who then passed it to Jake for a lovely one-timer. When passes click, goals happen quick!
The team's first star goes to Cory, for an excellent first goal and skating hard all game. Second star goes to Ryan G., who led the team with 5 shots and also skated hard all game. And third star goes to Patrick, who was his usual steady self on defense, but also added considerable offense, with 3 good shots, one assist after an excellent rush, and several times pulling his teammates away when tempers seemed to be flaring. Honorable mention certainly goes to both AP players, Ryan Heatherington and Brandon Levere, who contributed much both offensively and defensively, to Ben in net, to Jake for his goal and continued superior effort, and to Ryan Hanna for being steady on defense all game as well. Passing was sloppy, but otherwise the entire team played well and deserved the win.