Mar 12, 2015 | Sheri Peet | 1529 views
Atom Hyundai AE's Finish Out the Neilson Cup Playoffs
The Sailors played their final game of the Neilson Cup on Saturday afternoon. Saturday’s game was an away game at the P&H Centre in Hanover. The game was a penalty filled 5-3 loss to the Hanover Falcons. With the loss, the Sailors’ record in the Neilson Cup was 1-5.
Less than a minute into the game the Sailors found themselves on the penalty kill with Chris being called for tripping. The boys were successful killing off the penalty and within seconds of the penalty expiring they had their own powerplay opportunity with a Hanover player being called for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Sailors had a couple of chances on the powerplay, but could not open the scoring. Hanover opened the scoring late in the period with two quick goals to take a 2-0 lead into the second period. The first period was fast paced with end to end action.
The pace of the game in the second period was slowed by penalties. Early in the period Noah was called for a tripping penalty sending Hanover to the powerplay. The penalty kill lasted only 20 seconds with Hanover scoring to increase their lead to 3-0. Seconds later, Chris was called for tripping sending Hanover back to the powerplay.
The boys managed to kill off the penalty, but could not get any momentum to get back into the game.
With the Sailors back at even strength, they mounted a comeback scoring their first goal 14 seconds after the penalty expired. Spencer took the shot from near the left faceoff dot and both Wesley and Justin were there for the rebound. Wesley managed to put the rebound in the net. Hanover answered with a goal to extend their lead to 4-1.
The Sailors continued to take the play to the Falcons. With just under two minutes to play in the period Spencer scored an unassisted goal cutting the lead to 4-2. On the following play, Noah was called for tripping sending the Sailors to the penalty kill. Hanover had several chances to score in the powerplay, but the Sailors managed to keep the puck out of the net. Coincidental slashing penalties were called on Jordan and a Hanover player after a spirited scrum in front of the Sailors’ net. The boys killed off the penalty and the period ended with Hanover leading 4-2.
The third period opened with the Sailors pressing hard to get back into the game. The boys were rewarded early with a goal from Spencer. Spencer’s goal was assisted by Justin. Setting up in his favourite spot near the left faceoff dot, Spencer’s hard shot beat the Hanover netminder with Wesley in front of the net poised for another rebound. With the score 4-3, the Sailors got a powerplay opportunity and a chance to tie the game. However, it was short lived with Theron being called for tripping only 20 seconds into the powerplay. With emotions running high, the Sailors bench was given a bench minor penalty with a few seconds left in the penalty to Theron. Justin served the penalty for Goderich.
The Sailors again managed to kill off the penalty while trying hard for the tying goal. They got an opportunity with five minutes left in the game when a Hanover player was called for tripping. Despite some good chances, the boys were unable to score on the ensuing powerplay. Chris nearly tied the game, but his attempt went over top of the wide open Hanover net. With the boys taking some chances in order to tie the game, Hanover scored to extend their lead to 5-3 with just over a minute left to play.
A timeout was called by Goderich to set up for the last minute effort to come back. The boys’ efforts to score with the net empty were interrupted by a penalty to Jordan for body contact with just under a minute to play in the period. The Sailors did not quit and continued to press. With eight seconds to play, Wesley was called for tripping giving the Falcons a 5 on 3 powerplay opportunity for the last few seconds of the period.
Despite the season high in penalties and spending a good part of the game on the penalty kill, the short-handed Sailors had a good game. The Sailors’ last games of the 2014-2015 season will be at the Garden City Warriors tournament in St. Catherines during the March Break.
Article Credits: Jim Sherratt