Mar 11, 2012 | NathanT | 757 views
Clippers Douse The Blaze with 3 Straight Victories
The Novice AE Clippers appear to have hit their stride in the semi-final YSL round, taking the Georgina Blaze out in 3 straight victories. Not that these were slam-dunks. The Blaze showed talent and resilience, tightening up on the leads that the Clippers posted in each game...
Game 1, the Clippers went up 3-0, only to have Georgina come back with 2 goals, keeping the fans exuberance in check. Game 2, the Blaze tied up the 1 goal lead on their home ice, giving the Clippers pause... But the Clippers put one more in late in the game to post the win.
Game 3 would pose more challenges... Marcus and Hayden out of the line up for March break get-aways, and the spectre of game 4 during the break with 3 more absences, made Game 3 a pressure cooker of a game. Once again, things looked to be well in hand, with our call up, Bryson (#5) making an early goal, and Gabriel marking another. Connor (#13) made it 3 before the Blaze could find a response to the Clippers' tenacity. Indeed, with a 3-0 lead before the end of the second, it appeared certain that March break would be safe. However, the Blaze found the right opportunities to penetrate the defense and put up 2 goals with still over 7 minutes to play.
Finally, on the power play, Gabriel posted a second goal for the night, knocking in his own rebound and ending the action on the scoreboard. (Final tally 4-2 for the home team).
HARD HAT awarded to COACH PHIL by the players, for his spectacular coaching through another series sweep, and through a fantastc season to date.
For hockey fans, really, could these games have been any more exciting? All 3 games could have gone either way in the end, and Georgina taught our squad some important lessons. It's not over til it's over, and when you are down a couple of goals it does not mean you are out of the play. On the flip side, when you are up a couple of goals, you are not in any position to ease up. Goals are scored in a split second, and every shift counts.
All lessons the Clippers will take with them to face the YORK SIMCOE FINALS in the next round.
Stay tuned for the schedule (expected to resume post March Break). The Clippers will see 3 on 3 action at NTR on Monday, and an exhibition game on Thursday to keep them primed and ready for the final show-down.
GO CLIPPERS GO!