Sat-Dec-21, 2024
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Fall 2004 Playoffs

Long Island Cup Championship Games

B League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
B4 - Storm raise HLI cup following 5-2 defeat of GN-Bruins
Capping the finest season in the organization's history, the Storm never trailed in putting away the GN-Bruins 5-2. With the victory, the Storm claimed their first fall HLI Cup. At the onset, it appeared the Storm would have no challenge en route to their championship. They applied heavy pressure throwing rush after rush at the Bruins. Only the strong play of Bruin goalie Mike Anderson limited the damage to a single goal. The Bruins worked a tying goal when a Kef Lewis end-to-end rush led to a Darren Seid tap-in. So, despite the Storm having a 2 to 1 shot advantage, the game was tied after opening period.

The second period proved the most furious. Each team took turns controlling play through heavy forecheck pressure. As a result, they each worked an early goal after forcing a defensive zone turnover. The game's turning point came during the middle of the period. The Bruins enjoyed eight minutes of power play in the final ten minutes but could not score. It was, instead, the Storm who scored. The Storm's Kris Nielson intercepted a lazy neutral zone pass and threaded a pass to B League MVP Jim Starr who lasered a snapshot top-self, glove side in what proved to be the gamewinner. Starr, who at times was a one man forecheck, had previously set-up the Storm's second goal with a nifty behind-the-back pass to Rob Taylor.

The Bruins ultimately could not muster a third goal. The Storm succesfully killed all eight short-handed minutes. Their long penalty kill was bolstered by several stupendous saves by goalie Andy Kazarian. Kazarian, who befuddled the Bruins throughout the match, continued his stellar play into the third and refused to yield. Nielson sealed the win when he disrupted a breakout play and buried the biscuit off the subsequent goalmouth scramble.

Winner's Bracket
B2 - Storm tsunami GN-Bruins 10-4
In a Starr-studded performance, the determined Storm swamped the Bruins with four unanswered goals late in the second. Trailing 3-2 mid-second, Jim Starr scored 3 of the next 4 Storm goals to put the game out of reach. Starr finished the game with 4 goals in all.
B1 - GN-Bruins wear out Klash 5-2
The Bruins capitalized on a pair of third period defensive breakdowns to break open a close 3-2 game. Bruin goalie Mark Tessairo was sharp, especially early, in frustrating the Klash offense.
Loser's Bracket
B3 - GN-Bruins stymie Klash again 4-1
In a case of Deja Vu, the GN-Bruins notched two third period goals to eliminate the Klash. As in their previous playoff tilt, the Bruins extended a slim one goal lead into the third. Four different players scored for the Bruins.

C League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
C7 - UMB-Grizzlies overcome Woodstock 4-3 to earn C League championship
Mike Terribery's shorthanded, breakaway goal with just 2:40 remaining was the difference in a closely contested C League championship match. Terribery was sprung by a smart Sandy Sandorfi pass off the wall that just snuck past a Woodstock defensemen. With the win, the Grizzlies realized a Long Island Cup crown in their inaugural C League season.

The key to this championship victory was a single second period shift. After a spirited first period that saw limited scoring opportunities and a lone Woodstock score, the Grizzlies growled to life four minutes in. In a shift as unexpected as it was ferocious, Joe Durso scored twice in a minute. Both goals came as a result of swarming Grizzly pressure that stunned Woodstock. Dazed, Woodstock continued to play uncharacteristically back on their heels. Woodstock was able to limit the damage solely because of the stout play of netminder Adam Wisnieski, who at times was under unhindered seige. As such, the Grizzlies stretched the lead to 3-1 when Garret Simowitz capitalized on Wisnieski loosing his stick and his teammates unable to clear the zone.

But as poorly as Woodstock played in the second, they quickly turned it around. Kyle Tomczyk's blueline blast just 30 seconds into the final stanza energized his squad. Suddenly, Woodstock regained their bearings and the ice tilted back towards the Grizzly end. The championship, however, was clinched by C League MVP Mike Tuniewiz. Tuniewiz throughout the playoffs played his best when his team needed him most and the Grizzlies needed their netminder the most in the season's final period. "Tuna" faced 15 shots under relentless Woodstock pressure. And while Woodstock found the net once more to tie, they ultimately could not solve Tuniewiz for the gamewinner.

C6 - Woodstock refuse UMB-Grizzlies 3-1
Aftering spotting the Grizzlies an early goal, Woodstock scored three times in four minutes late in the first period for all the scoring they would need in forcing the ultimate game. As in their previous match, Woodstock started slowly, and the Grizzlies buried an unattended putback only 2 1/2 minutes in. Woodstock, however, soon gained their bearings and blitzkreiged the Grizzlies in the game's critical stretch. They maintained this intensity through the remaining two periods as they consistently disrupted the Grizzlies to hold them scoreless for the final 40 minutes.
Winner's Bracket
C4 - UMB-Grizzlies clip Woodstock 4-3
Special teams proved the difference for the Grizzlies as they earned a hardfought win. In this well-played match, each team had several powerplay chances but it was the Grizzlies who converted three times with the man-advantage. Their third powerplay goal, off a Chris Austin blueline slapshot at 11:12 in the third, proved the gamewinner.
C2 - Woodstock corral Pioneers 7-3
George Lee scored four times to lead Woodstock past the Pioneers. After trading first period goals, Woodstock scored three times in the second. They then put the game out of reach after extending their lead to 6-2 early in the third.
C1 - UMB-Grizzlies spank Phantoms-LCF 8-4
Exploding for six second period goals, the Grizzlies mauled a shellshocked Phantoms squad. The first period, which ended with the Phantoms leading 2-0, gave no indication to the impending carnage in the second period. Andy Viox scored twice for the Grizzlies, both in the furious second.
Loser's Bracket
C5 - Woodstock rally past Pioneers 6-4
Shaking off some early game doldrums, Woodstock recovered from a 4-1 first period deficit to earn a rematch with the Grizzlies. Mike Restiano scored three goals in the comeback, but the key tally came off the stick of Greg Egglinger. Egglinger roofed a backhand just as the first period horn sounded to close what appeared to be a safe lead to 4-2. This score sparked Woodstock and seemed to deflate the Pioneers. For the next period and a half, Woodstock held a decided play advantage and orderly built an insurmountable 6-4 advantage.
C3 - Pioneers vanquish Phantoms-LCF 6-2
Getting back to playing their trademark style, the Pioneers upped the intensity early and never relented in coasting to victory. A Dan Coffey natural hat trick proved all the offensive needed with two coming just 10 seconds apart. Kelly Gibbons chipped in with two tallies.
Wildcard
C0 - Phantoms-LCF 'one Adam-7' Court Officers 8-5
In one of HLI's more remarkable playoff performances, Adam Lagnese singlehandedly put away the Court Officers. Lagnese scored seven times in his virtuoso display of offensive hockey. With the win, the Phantoms erased any lingering effect of their season ending five game losing streak.

D1 League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
D7 - Red Wings melt Avalanche 5-1 to claim D1 title
Playing perhaps their finest game of the season, the Red Wings stormed the Avalanche to complete the difficult four game climb through the loser's bracket to become D1 champions. As in the previous match-up between these two squads, the Wings were led by D1 League MVP Mike Marino, who scored twice and assisted on another. Marino's points came on the Wings first three goals when the game was still in the balance.

The Wings controlled much of the first two periods where they outshot the Avalanche 25-6. Save for another gallant effort by 'Lanche netminder Chris Reidy this match would have been a blowout. As it was, despite the Wings' decided play advantage, the game was tight until late in the second. Marino' second goal broke a 1-1 tie when he finished a pretty tic-tack-toe sequence initiated by Dennis Salvatore and delivered by a nifty, blind, behind-the-back Chris Merle pass. Marino then set up the critical third goal when he drew heavy Avalanche attention leaving an unattended Jon Kolb to bury a weakside, powerplay putback.

To their credit, the Avalanche sparked in the third in a frenzied attempt to climb back. They turned the tables on the suddenly cautious Wings and more than doubled their shots in the third period. But in their haste, the 'Lanche needed to take chances and ultimately fell victim to their desperation. The Red Wings delivered the knockout while shorthanded, when Dennis DeMille intercepted a blueline crossing pass, skated free on Reidy, and buried the fatal score.

D6 - Red Wings deny Avalanche 3-2
Mike Marino's blast from left circle with just 47 seconds remaining found the far right side and forced a winner-take-all D1 title match. Marino's goal, his third, capped a thrilling final five minutes which saw the Avalanche rally from two goals after Marino's second at 5:27 remaining had seemingly sewn up the victory. The Red Wings, who held a decided shots advantage, were frustrated throughout by the strong effort of Avs goalie Chris Reidy.
Winner's Bracket
D4 - Avalanche's magic carpet ride continues in 5-4 defeat of the LI-Bruins
The Avalanche, as in their other playoff matches, surged to a comfortable lead and surprised the LI-Bruins. Frank Ingebretsen scored three and Paul Taddeo scored two as the Lanche built a 5-2 second period lead before holding off a perplexed Bruins squad.
D2 - LI-Bruins shoot down LI-Stars 5-4 in OT
Mark Hedquist scored 12 minutes into overtime to secure a hardfought win in an instant HLI classic. Trailing 3-1 in the third, the Bruins scored three unanswered before the Stars potted the tying goal with 47 seconds remaining. Hedquist and Chris Viscusi each scored twice for the Bruins.
D1 - Avalanche clip Red Wings 5-1
Frank Ingebrethsen scored four times as the Avalanche post an upset win. The Red Wings, who entered the postseason with four straight wins, played flat throughout.
Loser's Bracket
D5 - Red Wings roll past LI-Bruins 3-1
In another playoff-tense match, the Red Wings scored twice in the third to eliminate the Bruins. The winning goal came from a bang-bang, deep slot Pat Norris onetimer off a crisp, corner pass from Brian Pelligrino. Throughout the game, prime scoring chances were kept at a premium as both teams played solid defense.
D3 - Red Wings extinguish LI-Stars 6-2
The Red Wings took the first step of the long journey through the loser's bracket with a decisive dismissal of the Stars. Dennis Demille led the way for the Wings with a hat trick. The Wings jumped the Stars from the get-go and opened a insurmountable 6-1 second period lead.
Wildcard
D0 - Avalanche leash Rabid Dawgs 7-2
The Avalanche scored three first period goals and were never threatened in their comfortable win. Eric Presti and Paul Taddeo each scored twice for the Lanche.

D2 League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
DD7 - The Slipper Fits! Spectres beat EC Caps 3-2 in OT to claim D2 crown
Robert McIntosh's deflection of a blueline slapshot 3 minutes into overtime culiminated the Spectres Cinderella run to the D2 championship. The winning tally came with just 11 seconds remaining on a Spectres powerplay. Defensemen Robert Viscusi intercepted a flubbed clearing attempt at the blueline and quickly fired a blast that a flashing McIntosh redirected to the promised land. This match marked the first time in the Long Island Cup's double elimination format that a team won a championship in overtime in the ultimate game (i.e. where either team could win).

The winning tally almost never came to be. After the two squads played nip-and-tuck for the better part of two periods, the pace of play slowed considerably late in the third. The two squads came to resemble two fighters, wounded and exhausted, carefully gutting through the late rounds. The Caps blinked first and got called for a foolish penalty with just 2:11 remaining. However, they did not allow a shot during the kill. As the penalty ended, and with just 15 seconds left in the game, Robert Viscusi rang the post hard through a screen. The subsequent carom delivered the puck to the neutral zone just as the Caps' David Shankles was exiting the penalty box. He gathered the biscuit for a fateful rush to championship glory. But while he succeeded in beating the dwindling clock, he could not master Spectre goalie John Viscusi who denied the breakaway at the final buzzer.

Few could have predicted the Spectres magic carpet ride. They entered the playoffs as the #5 seed after needing to win their final two games just to qualify. After an easy wildcard win, they sparked in an upset of the #1 seed Black Stars. In this upset, and throughout the improbable playoff run, the Spectres were led by the indefatigable play of D2 MVP Chris Viscusi. Viscusi essentially was everywhere playing both offense and defense with supreme intensity. His play ultimately drew dedicated attention from the Caps who struggled to curb his prominence.

DD6 - EC Caps decline Spectres 3-1
Setting up the ultimate game, the EC Caps methodically built a three goal lead and rebuffed the Spectres first shot at the D2 crown. The Caps scored once in each period with the key score potted by Ryan Johnston in the third. Johnston gathered a loose neutral zone puck directly from serving a penalty which lead to a successful break-in. With a little breathing room, Cap goalie Seth Fass made the needed stops to keep the Spectres at bay.
Winner's Bracket
DD4 - Cinderella crashes the party; Spectres stun EC Caps 5-4
Robert McIntosh Jr scored twice in the third period to propel the Spectres into the D2 ball. McIntosh first scored just 30 seconds into the third to break a 3-3 tie. He scored again at the five minute mark and the Spectes held on, aided by several late Cap penalties.
DD2 - EC Caps sting Scorpions 5-3
Continuing their recent white hot play, the EC Caps served notice in their convincing win over the Scorpions. Flashing offense early, the Caps unleashed 20 first period shots on a startled Scorpions squad. Flashing defense late, the Caps held the Scorpions scoreless in the final stanza. Rich Goetchius scored twice for the Caps, both in the first period.
DD1 - Spectres sizing glass slippers after 5-2 shocker over Black Stars
Cinderella is knocking at the door. After spotting the Black Stars their two goals, the Spectres outplayed the #1 seed Black Stars throughout the rest of the game. Chris Viscusi led the Spectres charge with a hat trick and two helpers.
Loser's Bracket
DD5 - EC Caps blast Black Stars 8-3
Returning to their late season form, the EC Caps unleashed an offensive fury to set up a rematch with the Spectres. The Caps simply had too much firepower this night as they uncorked 48 shots on beseiged Black Stars goalie Anthony DiPietto. This game was settled in the Caps six goal second (on 23 shots) which saw David Shankles notch a hat trick. Rich Goetchius and David Marcus also each tickled the twine for two.
DD3 - Black Stars exterminate Scorpions 3-1
In a game neither teamed expected to play, it was the Black Stars who sent the Scorpions to an early playoff exit. The Stars played with much more focus and purpose in shaking off the rust evident in their first round upset loss. Costa Scouroudis led the Stars attack with a goal and an assist.
Wildcard
DD02 - Spectres spook Phantoms-Red 4-0
Flying from the initial jump, the Spectres peppered the Phantoms-Red early and never relented in their wildcard win. The Spectres outshot the Phantoms 35-17 for the game and save for a valiant effort by Phantoms goalie Pete Zsamboky this game was no-contest. Brian Barthold scored twice for the victors.
DD01 - EC Caps foreclose Stalkers 9-2
The EC Caps slowly, and steadily, pulled away from the Stalkers as they put the game out-of-reach with four third period goals. Matt Pane tallied four times for the Caps.

E League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
E7 - All the Way Back! - Cyclones snatch E League crown 5-2
Emerging from the loser's bracket with a focus and purpose, the Cyclones finished the deal in beating the Hex back-to-back to claim their first Long Island Cup. It what began as yet another nailbiter in this venerable HLI rivalry, form finally broke when the Cyclones established a uncustomary three goal lead at 4-1 early in the third period. Steve Lockwood's third of four come just 11 seconds into the final stanza. Stunned, the Hex needed a few minutes to absorb this body blow before they beckoned the will to fight back. In a tense final ten minutes, the Hex pushed and pressured the Cyclones but, as he did so often in these playoffs, E League MVP Eric Teuschler simply would not allow biscuit to find the back of the net. Teuschler made save after spectacular save. His work consistently frustrated the Hex, both tonight and in the previous match. At times, Teuschler summoned up Hasek-like form as he made numerous saves while prone on the ice. The championship capped a hectic four games in six nights title drive for the Cyclones.
E6 - Cyclones impose their will in 3-2 squeaker over Hex
Could it be any other way? In a drag-em-out rivalry where one goal separates the two teams over five games this season, the Cyclones refused to lose in setting up "Game 7" against the Hex. Steve Lockwood's second goal at 8:22 of the third stood up as Cyclone goalie Eric Teuschler would not wilt to the heavy Hex pressure down the stretch.
Winner's Bracket
E4 - Hex deflate Cyclones 6-5 in triple OT
In one of the great HLI games, Mike Ciarra scored at 21 minutes of overtime to deliver the Hex to the doorstep of the organization's first championship. In this epic of E League heavyweights, both teams played clean, tenacious hockey. They traded numerous overtime scoring opportunites only to be turned away by netminders Steve Hitchcox (Hex) and Eric Teuschler (Cyclones). As often happens in overtime, the critical play resulted from a turnover. Mike Zizzo picked off a careless clearing pass, quickly headmanned to Rob Mallon who threaded a pass through the slot to a streaking Ciarra.
E2 - Cyclones blow out Rage 4-0
Pete Sherkel and Steve Lockwood each scored twice in spearheading the Cyclones' whitewash of the Rage.
E1 - Hex squeeze the Crush 4-3
In a see-saw affair, Mike Ciarra second goal proves the difference for the Hex. Ciarra clanged the gamewinner off the crossbar with just under three minutes remaining. Three previous times the Hex assumed one goal lead only to see the Crush subsequently tie.
Loser's Bracket
E5 - Cyclones sweep by Crush 5-2
Showing little ill effect of their marathon game just two days prior, the Cyclones got stronger as the game progressed and set up a return match with the Hex. The Cyclones grabbed an early 2-0 lead, weathered a Crush comeback to tie, and pulled away in a decisive third period. The Cyclones' James Garofalo netted two, and Steve Lockwood scored once and assisted twice.
E3 - Crush thwart Rage 2-1
Steve Rybacki's second goal of the game with just 3:30 remaining proved the difference. In a fastpaced match, each team had several chances in the third before Rybacki settled it. With the loss, the Rage suffered yet another disheartening postseason.
Wildcard
EO - Crush squeak by the Rats 3-2 in OT
Pat Chetirko roofed the gamewinner 6:36 into overtime as the Crush outlasted the Rats. Both teams had numerous scoring chances but were repeatedly denied by goalies Lou Orquera (Rats) and Matt Stasi (Crush). Each goalie made 36 saves in this hard-played match.

3C League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
3C7 - Man bites Dog! Bulldogs shock Sabres 4-2 for improbable 3C League championship
Maybe the world is flat after all. In a year where the unthinkable and near impossible came to pass, the Bulldogs engendered a Red Soxian resurrection to consecutively defeat the Sabres (gasp!) and filch the 3C championship. With the win, the Bulldogs stared down their playoff demons and claimed their first fall Long Island Cup in seven years.

This deciding match started ever so typically. Less then five minutes in, the Sabres, ho-hum, led 1-0. A Bob Plansker backhand hit the far post and ever so softly landed on Mark Stewart's stick who summarily tickled the empty net twine. The Sabres were sharp, energized, and expectant. Seemingly the universe was in order with all stars neatly aligned. All that remained was two more periods of work, customary handshakes, glinting hardware, hearty laughs, and goodnight lights.

But somehow, in some way, the earth reversed its spin. Events heretofore thought only possible in some imaginary existence came to pass. With just 39 seconds left in the first period, the Bulldogs got on the board when a Sabre put a puck in his own net. After the Sabres snapped back with a second period powerplay goal, the Bulldogs quickly responded with a long, harmless blueline changeup that inexplicably found the back of the net. In the middle of the third, it was a Bulldog that snuck behind a slumbering defense and deked an out-of-positioned goalie. And, as the third period ticked towards crunchtime, it was the Bulldogs who played poised, harmonized defense to rebuke any, and all, challenge to a slim late-game lead.

Luciano Bucci scored twice in this paramount Bulldogs victory. It was, however, 3C League MVP Eddie Kelerchian that delivered the championship. The "Eagle", as so often in this postseason, flawlessly handled the routine while flashing the spectactular. In this match, the signature stop came with just 3 minutes remaining when a fallen Bulldogs defenseman germinated a Sabre 3-on-1 break that demanded Kelerchian to go post-to-post with stacked pads to deny the last best Sabre chance.

3C6 - Bulldogs hold off Sabres 3-2
Taking advantage of some sloppy, sluggish Sabres play, the Bulldogs built a 3-1 heading into the third and held on for dear life to set up the final winner-take-all. The hero in this unexpected result was unquestionably Bulldogs goalie Ed Kelerchian. The 'Eagle' turned away 19 third period shots as the Sabres exhumed their playoff selves. Much of the final stanza was played in a chaotic Bulldgos zone. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, Kelerchian maintained his composure as his teammates flagged down the stretch.
Winner's Bracket
3C4 - Sabres spank Rangers 4-0
Cue the band, warm the heavyset woman, get up Mariano, the Sabres are essentially sizing the shirts after sending the clear-cut message that the 3C playoff is 'fait accompli'. Dominating in all facets of the game, the Sabres never allowed the listless Rangers any pulse of life. Cam Livingston paced the Sabes with two scores, and goalie Ruben Santana pitched the shutout. All that seems to remain is who will wear the bridesmaid dress.
3C2 - Rangers pilfer Bucs 6-3
In a game of runs, the Rangers built a four goal lead, weathered a three goal Bucs rally, and closed with two to post a first round win. Two Bucs goals in the first 90 seconds of the third narrowed the lead to 4-3. The Bucs, however, failed to convert several tying chances. The Rangers' Howard Corber and Tom Wallace each scored twice.
3C1 - Sabres daze Bulldogs 2-1 in OT
In another episode of 'Groundhog Day', the Sabres squelched the Bulldogs again in the playoffs. This version required nine minutes of overtime where Bob Plansker ended it after making an outstretched catch of a Cam Livingston pass. As usual when these teams meet, both goalies played as significant role in the intensity of the game.
Loser's Bracket
3C5 - Bulldogs easily dispatch Rangers 7-1
Rediscovering the vim and vigor that carried them the regular season 3C crown, the Bulldogs were crisp in putting away a flatlined Rangers squad. Luciano Bucci led the Bulldog's offensive attack notching a hat trick. His second goal was the critical score. His score doused any semblence of a pulse the Rangers had after they had finally solved "The Eagle", who was his usual stellar self between the pipes,.
3C3 - Bulldogs sack Bucs 1-0
In a lackluster match-up, Bobby Drencini's early first period goal was all that was necessary to advance the Bulldogs. This match lacked playoff intensity, perhaps reflecting the long road still to travel for the victor.
Wildcard
3C0 - Sabres foil Bladerunners again 5-4
In the latest chapter of their playoff rivalry, the Sabres prevailed yet again over a dissappointed Bladerunner squad. The Sabres quickly answered two 3rd period first minute Blade goals to open a 5-3 lead. The Sabres then held on as the Blades had numerous chances to tie in the final minutes. Anthony Fiamma and Ken Scillepi each scored twice.

3D League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
3D6 - Patriots Day! - Pats celebrate first HLI crown with 8-3 knockout of the Moose
As if any title match involving a Patriots team could end any other way, the Patriots garnered their first Long Island Cup championship in their inaugural HLI season. Similar to their football brethren, they demonstrated distinction in all phases of the game. They flashed quick strike offense when they scored just 23 seconds in when 3D League MVP Anthony Orlando netted his first of two. They sprinkled some individual brillance when Orlando weaved his way end-to-end through the Moose squad for their third tally. They called upon some resilient defense when they successfully withstood a gallant Moose rally that narrowed a once comfortable 4-0 lead to just 4-3 by the middle of the second. They got production from second line players when Ed Armellino netted the game's critical score late in the second to make it 5-3. And most importantly, they closed the deal when they opened the game up with a relentless three goal third period. Overall, nine different Patriots scored in their three playoff games making their championship a true team effort.
Winner's Bracket
3D4 - Patriots grind out 3-1 win over the Banshees
In a game played close to the vest, the Patriots prevailed with a lunch pail win. Both teams jammed the middle of the ice and allowed few shots to reach the net. The Patriots ultimatley proved more successful captilizing on their limited scoring chances. The Pats were led by Anthony Orlando, who scored once and assisted on the other two.
3D2 - Banshees frustrate Moose 3-1
Playing bend but don't break defense, the Banshees turned away numerous Moose scoring chances enroute to their first round win. The victory continued the Banshees late season crisp play as they seek their third straight HLI cup championship.
3D1 - Patriots paste Napper Tandys 6-2
Proving too quick again, the Patriots built a six goal lead and coasted to their first HLI playoff win. Six different players scored for the Pats who handily defeated Napper Tandys for the fourth time this season.
Loser's Bracket
3D5 - Moose scalp Banshees 9-1
Well versed on how to travel the yellow brick road through the loser's bracket, the Moose returned to battle for a championship with a convincing 9-1 win over a short-handed Banshees squad. Eight different Moose players scored with Ralph Somma potting two.
3D3 - Moose show Napper Tandys the door 4-2
Shaking off a sluggish first period, the Moose unleashed 19 second period shots to stake a lead that they would not relinquish. The Moose trailed 2-0 early before scoring with just 44 seconds left in the opening stanza. Seizing the momentum, they dominated the second and limited any Napper scoring chances in the fianl period.
Wildcard
3D0 - Napper Tandys tarnish Skate for Gold 3-2
Scoring with just 53 seconds remaining, Napper Tandys stunned Skate for Gold in the first upset of the fall playoofs. Following a familar script, Napper Tandys were led by the netminding heroics of Ed Derudder. Derudder stonewalled the Skate in a furious first period in which only one SFG shot of 14 eluded the stellar Napper tender.