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Championship Games
Championship Game Recaps
- B League
- Timber - Storm take down 5th Squad 9-6 to capture B League championship
- Never surrendering an early 2-0 lead, the Storm unleased an offensive explosion in their 9-6 upset of the previously undefeated 5th Squad to earn the B League championship. In this title match, the Storm played defense through offense. They consistently pressured the 5th Squad often diffusing the Squad's potent neutral zone play and limiting odd-man rushes. Building upon their early lead the Storm stretched their advantage to 4-1 midway through the second. The 5th Squad tried to recover, ultimately pumping 15 third period shots, but could not get any closer than 6-5. Their last best chance turned fatal when, after gaining a power-play opportunity with 5 minutes remaining, they relinquished a devestating shorty to Eddie 'Tall Man' Kurz who converted while wearing a Squad defenseman. In the win, the high-octane first line of Kurz (3g, 3a), James Starr (4g, 1a), and Kevin Smith (1g, 3a) accounted for 8 of the Storm's goals.
- C League
- Whitewash - Bladerunners blanket Avalanche 6-0 for C League crown
- Dominating play for most of the match, the Bladerunners earned their second consecutive championship with a convincing 6-0 C League title win over a depleted Avalanche squad. The Bladerunners controlled every aspect of this game. Each forward line put forth a steady forecheck that consistently pinned the Avalanche in their end. The Blades patiently waited for the eventual defensive breakdowns which they inevitably converted. Charlie Picciano scored the first two Blades goals benefitting each time from the relentless work of Joe Cantalupo. The Avalanche last best chance came late in the second when they applied some sustained pressure but the Bladerunner defense refused to yield. When Steven Seftel scored late in the second to establish a three goal lead the C League crown was essentially clinched. Joe Hirscy also scored twice as the Blades broke open the game in final stanza.
- D1 League
- Back in the Saddle - Sabres shut down Scorpions 4-0 to grab D1 title
- Taking a page from their championship recipe book, the Sabres blended timely offense with a steady, ironclad defense to roast the Scorpions 4-0 and garner the D1 crown. In past championship seasons, the Sabres would methodically braise their opponent waiting for the eventual breakdowns and lapses. Predictably, they would seize and convert these opportunities which would further stew their challengers. In this match, after a scoreless first, the Sabres dished up a forecheck which led to a goalmouth scramble from which Bob Plansker netted the biscuit. A late second period powerplay then yielded a Cam Livingston slot putback. Early in the third, the Sabres splashed in some timely goaltending, and when Plansker and Livingston each sprinkled in second goals the D1 Summer 04 crown was cooked.
- D2 League
- All the Way - Minions complete D2 championship run with 8-2 thrashing of Banshees
- Exploding for three goals in three minutes late in second, the Minions never looked back en route to their D2 League championship win over the Banshees 8-2. The win marked the fifth straight for the surging Minions who played their best in the postseason. This title tilt pitted the younger, quicker Minions against the deliberate, experienced Banshees in a match of contrasting styles. The Banshees controlled much of the first half dictating the pace of play to forge a 2-1 lead. They, however, lost focus incurring two costly penalties which fueled the Minions fateful scoring outburst. The Minions' top line of John Bocca, David Speilman, and Dan Marguardt did most of the scoring damage as they ultimately proved too quick and elusive for the slower Banshees. In the win, Speilman notched a hat trick, Marguardt scored twice, and Bocca potted one and helped on three others.
- E League
- Welcome to Promiseland - Rage repel Rats 3-1 for E League and first HLI championship
- Buoyed by clutch goaltending, the Rage rode an early 3-0 lead to fend off the Rats 3-1 to capture the E league crown, the club's first ever HLI championship. Rage goaltender Pete Zsamboky was at his best during a crucial four minute stretch in the second stanza. The Rats scored at 8:14 in the second to get on the board and narrow the Rage's three goal lead. Immediately off the ensuing face-off the Rats swarmed the Rage goal and appeared to have scored yet again when a prone Zsamboky produced a spectactular glove save. Full of momentum, the Rats pressured the Rage in their own end for roughly four minutes and did everything but put the biscuit behind the stellar Zsamboky. Eventually, the Rage regained their composure and played solid defensive hockey to protect their precarious lead. Although the Rats had several third period chances, Zsamboky was equal to the pending history. In the victory, Dave Dimeola spearheaded the early Rage offense with a goal and two assists.
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