Sometimes, numbers don't pan out. Going into last night's first playoff tilt, Bandits A had lost 3 straight; they also hadn't won any game convincingly since the season's opening two games, when they won 6-1 and 5-2; and they hadn't beaten the Bandits C team all season (albeit with two ties). But none of that mattered last night, because our team's #4 decided to take matters into his own hands by having a five-point night. Yup! After scoring the games first two goals in the first period to put the C team on its heels, Dylan then assisted on two more goals in the second period to put the C-men into shock, and finished out his hat trick in the third to put them to bed.
Having said this, no hockey game is ever totally won by a single player, and Dylan received LOTS of help, including two helpers on his goals from Kasey; single goals by Kasey and Cal (another boomer blast from the point that the C team goalie will be having nightmares about all summer); and the same exceptional goal-tending from Kyle that we've had all season (Ho Hum!). Canaan, Patrick, Spencer and Garrett also contributed assists; and everyone else, even though kept off the score sheet, contributed through determined play in all three zones.
The only real negative was several bad penalties in the late second and third periods, which led to 13 minutes of being down a man, including a six-minute short-handed stint. However, the team was able to withstand all of this until Bandits C scored a last-minute power-play goal that was meaningless to the final result, though it did rob Kyle of a well-deserved shut out.
THREE STARS:
1. Dylan (3 G, 2 A, 5 P, 5 shots, +5) Dylan has emerged as the team's top sniper.
2. Kasey (1 G, 2 A, 3 P, 1 shot, +4) Kasey has become the team's best set-up man, especially over the last half dozen games, in which he has about 10 assists; it's also no coincidence that he and Patrick lead the team in plus/minus at +13.
3. Cal (1 G, 0 A, 1 P, 1 shot, +3) His big, accurate shot has entered into the realm of downright scary.
Honorable mention: Kyle (ho hum) with 21 saves, many of them spectacular, on 22 shots - nothing new there; Canaan (0 G, 1 A, +3), who continues to impress with his steady, smart play (you don't have to be flashy to be good); Alex, Cal, Canaan and Patrick all were very solid defensively, as was Garrett when he wasn't caught too deep in the offensive zone; and Andrew G, Mitch, Christian, Ryan and Tommy all skated hard every shift.
Playoff game #2 is Wednesday night, 9:30 PM at Nichols versus Oakridge with a trip to the finals, and perhaps even Provincials on the line. An effort similar to last night's, minus all the penalties, could be the winning ticket.
Article by KP White
For individual stats, click HERE.