Sat-Dec-21, 2024
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Spring 2004 Playoffs

Long Island Cup Championship Games

B League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
B4 - Bulls weather hearty Storm 4-3 in overtime to capture B League crown
B League MVP John Kannegeiser went top shelf at 1:55 in overtime to deliver the B League championship for the Bulls as they defeated a gutty Storm squad 4-3 in a drama-filled, see-saw title tilt. Kannegeiser's championship winner was his second of a match that saw the two teams trade the lead three times. Neither team could establish a lead of more than one goal as they refused to yield in this well-played championship affair.

Kannegeiser staked the Bulls to an early 1-0 lead just 2 1/2 minutes into the opening stanza jumping on a Shawn Lindsay centering pass and netting a onetimer past Storm goalie Andy Kazarian. The Storm, however, quickly answered back just a minute and half later on a Kevin Smith rush that found the five-hole on Bulls netminder Bill Prange. Later in the first, Ed Kurz went upstairs on Prange to give the Storm their first lead 2-1. After each team scored in the second the match headed into the third with the underdog Storm up 3-2.

Coming into the game, one key for the Storm was to shadow Lindsay and limit his scoring chances. Lindsay can score in bunches and is lethal when given the room to unlease his potent wrist shot. Sure enough, early in the third, he found some space off a scramble and buried the tying goal at 11:44. And when he was awarded a penalty shot with just 6 minutes remaining the Bulls seemed all but certain to regain the lead and perhaps secure the championship. Lindsay was, however, dramatically stoned when Kazarian went Hasek and denied the chance while sprawled on his back. The Storm, energized by Kazarian heroics, heavily pressured the Bulls in the waning minutes, and if not for the unwavering play of Prange would have forced the decisive championship game. They ultimately could not put the biscuit past Prange and Kannegeiser sealed the B crown early in the overtime.

Winner's Bracket
B2 - Bulls hold off Storm rally prevail 6-4
B1 - Storm escape NYFD 4-3
Loser's Bracket
B3 - Storm douse NYFD 7-3
Wildcard
B0 - NYFD put out Klash 3-2

C League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
C6 - Back to Back - Capitals defend C League championship with 4-3 overtime win over stubborn Court Officer squad
Erik Matlin center slot onetimer just 16 seconds into overtime delivered a second consecutive C league championship for the Capitals. The Capitals forced overtime with a bang-bang Nick Calkins goal off a nifty long distance saucer pass from Charlie Sheridan with 6:44 remaining in the third. The Capitals then withstood a furious final minute. The Court Officers swarmed the Capital goal looking for the gamewinner but were rebuffed by the stalwart play of C League MVP Mike Anderson. Anderson needed to be at his best this night. The Court Officers, who continued their inspired play during these playoffs, rallied from a 2-0 first period deficit. Their rally was fueled by the stellar play of their netminder, Peter Nawrocki. With Nawrocki frequently spectacular behind them, the Officers played aggressive and often forced the play. Their hard work paid off early in the third when Jim Rao buried a goalmouth puck to nab the Officer's first, and only, lead. They were, however, continuosly stymied by Anderson and ultimately could not tally the elusive fourth goal that likely would have put the match out-of-reach.

Winner's Bracket
C4 - Capitals survive Pioneers 4-3
C2 - Pioneers squeak past Beavers 2-1
C1 - Capitals apprehend Court Officers 7-1
Loser's Bracket
C5 - "New Look" Court Officers derail Pioneers 6-3
C3 - Court Officers lock up Beavers 4-2
Wildcard
Cw2 - Court Officers sink Cement 5-2
Cw1 - Beavers overwhelm Phantoms-LCF 8-2

D1 League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
D6 - Back Atop the Throne - Stars come back late against the Avalanche and reclaim D League championship 3-2 in double overtime
After 16 minutes of grueling, white-knuckle overtime play D1 League MVP Jesse Roberts seized a loose puck in the right circle and buried a clinching wrist shot as the LI-Stars avenged their Fall '03 D1 League championship game loss to the Avalanche 3-2. The Stars needed a late goal by Scott Goldman with 3 minutes remaining in regulation to force the decisive OT. The game marked the fourth consecutive overtime game played between these two evenly matched rivals with the games dating back to last fall's championship.

The game started cautiously as the two foes, well-versed with each other, probed for a letdown. After a scoreless first period, the Stars opened the scoring. Dean D'Angelo blasted a slapshot past Avs goalie Chris Reidy while the teams both had a man in the box. The Stars continued to play close-to-the-vest on defense and limited the Avs to only 12 shots and no goals through two periods. The befuddled Avalanche could not generate any sustained offense with any scoring threat deftly turned away by Stars' netminder Chris Vience.

At the onset of the third, without warning, the Avs struck back. Cesar Robalino and Frank Ingebrethsen scored 30 seconds apart and suddenly the Stars, stunned and dazed, trailed. The Avalanche, however, could not capitalize on the momentum swing and failed to stretch the lead. Slowly, the Stars regained their composure, and Goldman sent the game to overtime with his game tying tally resulting from a mad goalmouth scramble. Once in overtime, both goalies repeatedly made stellar saves to keep their respective teams alive. Fittingly, it was Roberts who delivered the championship. Roberts scored six times in spearheading the Stars playoff offense and title drive.

Winner's Bracket
D4 - LI-Stars shoot down LI-Bruins 6-3
D2 - LI-Stars streak past Spectres 5-2
D1 - LI-Bruins roll past Avalanche 4-1
Loser's Bracket
D5 - Avalanche knock out LI-Bruins 3-2
D3 - Avalanche vanquish Spectres 2-1 in overtime
Wildcard
D0 - Avalanche trap Grizzlies 5-2

D2 League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Games
DD7 - Clock Strikes Midnight - Scorpions shatter Moose glass slipper w/5-3 victory to garner D2 championship
Rising from near extinction, the Scorpions strike down the Moose 5-3 to bring home the D2 title, the club's second Long Island Cup championship. The Scorpions rally proved almost as improbable as the Moose Cinderella playoff run. The fifth seeded Moose, playing in the playoffs with a focus and purpose often lacking during the regular season, dominated the early play and appeared poised to cap an unprecendented, six game championship run when they took a 3-0 lead 27 seconds into the second. The Scorpions, dazed and listless, seemed done. The turning point came as they often do in hockey. Midway through the second, the Moose hit a post off a 3-on-1 break that, if converted, likely would have put the championship to bed. The play, however, swiftly turned up ice and shortly thereafter Larry Jordan broke the Scorpion snide. At this point, the game turned severely. As onesided it was previous, they play completed reversed. When the Scorpions tempest finally subsided the Scorpions had scored five unanswered, the Moose were out-of-gas, and the D2 championship was secured. Jordan lead the scoring charge with two more goals (as well as two helpers) but it was the untiring hustle of D2 League MVP Steven Kelly that spearheaded the unbelievable Scorpion championship comeback.

DD6 - One More Hill to Climb Baby! - Moose force ultimate game with 4-2 Scorpions stunner
Winner's Bracket
DD4 - Scorpions sting EC Caps 8-5
DD2 - EC Caps surge past Rabid Dawgs 8-5 w/four goal 3rd period rally
DD1 - Scorpions muffle Moose 6-2
Loser's Bracket
DD5 - Survive and Advance - Moose elude EC Caps in 4-3 shootout barnburner
DD3 - Moose stick a 'Fork' in Rabid Dawgs, advance w/5-4 win
Wildcard
DDw2 - Moose frustrate PLT 5-3
DDw1 - EC Caps rout Stalkers 7-3

E1 League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Games
E7 - Cream Rises - Banshees scalp upstart Hex 4-2 to defend E1 crown
Drawing upon their edge in playoff experience, the Banshees scored three third period goals to come from behind and defeat a valiant Hex squad 4-2. The victory was the second consecutive win over the Hex as the Banshees rose from the loser's bracket to repeat as E1 League champions . The Banshees entered the third period trailing 2-1 as both goalies, E1 League MVP Peter Emde of the Banshees and the Hex's Chris McLee, played suberbly with Emde keeping the Banshees close as the Hex dominated the second period. The Banshees, however, responded as champions do. Maintaining their composure, the Banshees patiently waited for the scoring chances to come and when they did they converted. Tom Kiernan scored just 10 seconds into the third on a goalmouth stuff to stun the youthful Hex. Four and half minutes later Tom Lopriore converted a onetimer as he was left unattended in the slot. And when Brian Goodovitch buried yet another in-close chance three minutes later the Banshees had minted their second Long Island Cup championship.

E6 - One More Time - Banshees whitewash Hex 4-0 to setup winner-take-all
Winner's Bracket
E4 - Train keeps a Rollin' - Hex pull another shocker, edge #2 Banshees 4-3
E2 - Banshees quiet upstart Minutemen 4-1
E1 - Slipper time? - Hex upset #1 Rats 7-4
Loser's Bracket
E5 - Banshees exterminate Rats 3-1
E3 - Rats execute Minutemen 4-1
Wildcard
Ew2 - Hex corral Mustangs in 2-1 squeaker
Ew1 - Cardiac Minutemen net three unanswered to stun LI-Dragons 4-3

E2 League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Games
EE7 - Crush climb the mountain in inaugural campaign, deflate Cyclones 7-4 for first HLI crown
Indicative of their entire season, the Crush staged yet another comeback and grabbed the E2 League championship in their first HLI season with a 7-4 defeat of the Cyclones. After spotting the Cyclones a 2-0 first period lead the Crush exploded for 5 unanswered second period goals. Steve Rybacki's natural hat trick lead the onslaught and the Crush headed into the third seemingly in control of the match. The Cyclones, however, did not, would not, go quietly. Al Bento and Kevin Maloney scored quickly at the start of the final stanza and with 10 minutes to go the Cyclones, thirsty to rid the foul taste of last season's playoff disappointment, appeared poised to snatch their elusive first crown. Full of momentum, they stormed the Crush end and for several tense minutes the Cyclones pinned a reeling Crush squad. The Cyclones could not, however, tie the game as amid the fury E2 League MVP Joe Posilico remained steady and true between the pipes. Posilico's goaltending exploits enabled his squad to weather the barrage before Pat Peace and Pat Chertirko each netted their second goals to put the championship away.

EE6 - Not Tonight - Cyclones deny Crush 3-1 to force decisive game
Winner's Bracket
EE4 - Crush hop on magic carpet w/3-2 win over #1 Tribe
EE2 - Crush contain Cyclones 6-2
EE1 - Tribe survive Phantoms-OS 4-3
Loser's Bracket
EE5 - Cyclones scalp Tribe 3-2
EE3 - Cyclones vaporize Phantoms-OS 8-4

over30 League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Games
G7 - Welcome Back - Bladerunners end six year championship drought w/rousing 3-1 win over Blues
Executing their gameplan to perfection, the Bladerunners put on a defensive clinic to prevail in an intense, oldtime championship tilt 3-1 over the Blues to earn their first Long Island Cup in six years. With the win, the Bladerunners completed the difficult back-to-back required when emerging from the loser's bracket. The key to the championship was the Bladerunner's suberb defensive effort fueled by the work of over30 League MVP Peter Haas, Charlie Picciano, and defenseman Greg McCoy. These three spearheaded the defensive plan to neutralize the Blues explosive first line. The Blades consistently forechecked and marked the Blues top line disrupting any offensive flow. Throughout the match, the Blues struggled to penetrate the Blades defense and when they did goalie Chris Alesi repeatedly denied them. Haas opened the scoring with a first period goal. The goal marked the fourth time in five games that Haas scored. Haas' goal stood alone until Pat Peace snuck a putback under a prone Tom Zdroweski who played valiantly in a losing effort. The Blues halved the lead two minutes later with a powerplay goal but could not bury the equalizer before Picciano's emptynetter cemented the championship.

G6 - Take That - Bladerunners avenge earlier playoff loss to the Blues w/5-2 victory and set-up final game
Winner's Bracket
G4 - Blues sadden Bladerunners 4-1
G2 - Bladerunners skate past Bucs 3-2 scoring gamewinner w/3 seconds left
G1 - Blues leash Bulldogs 5-3
Loser's Bracket
G5 - Bladerunners filch 3-2 overtime win from crestfallen Bulldogs
G3 - Bulldogs plunder Bucs 4-3
Wildcard
G0 - Bulldogs lance Sabres 4-3