Playoff time Ups and Downs August 9, 2008

Our first playoff game of the day against Kamloops, we came out playing "Manitoba Ball Hockey" and quickly took a 3-0 lead early in the game and put them right on their heels.  Kamloops tried to get physical to gain some momentum, but we kept our heads and actually earned the respect of the refs by keeping our composure.  As the game went on we tried to get some more playing time for some of the guys who haven't played very much, and rest some of the guys we have been riding to our undefeated record.  Maybe we jumped the gun as Kamloops got a fast 2 goals late to pull themselves within one.  We held on and pulled out the victory.  The lineup was as folllows:

 

Marchuk Kuryk Cook

Malaschuk Tymchak Duchon

Chartrand Rollie Zielinski

Kelly Naumiuk D. Vann

B. Cockerill

 

Schultz Wild

Desjarlais Erstelle

Rath Nowicki

Buors

 

Cameron

Ross

 

During the game Kevin Marchuk broke his left hand and was taken to hospital and a cast was put on.  The game star was Roman Naumiuk.

 

Playoff Game 2  Team Manitoba versus the Montreal Black Knights

 

A 3 hour stretch was all we had, and that stood for both teams.  At this level, that sure means many players running on fumes.  The Black Knights, last years silver medalists, looked like they were low in the energy department as well.  We fought through to the half 0-0 courtesy of some great goaltending, and our habit of not being able to hit the net.  The second half saw a quick goal off the pad of Adam Rath and into the net to break the tie.  We did not die, and it seemed to light a little spark and we picked it up, but Montreal came up with another big goal which seemed to take some of the wind out of our sails.  We tried to fight back, and on the powerplay, Calin Wild snapped one in from the point to bring us within 1.   We had some momentum finally as Roman Naumiuk ran like a wild man, but another goal off of Adam Rath brought our hopes back to reality.  It was a dream to win the gold, and it will remain so for Winnipeg, at home.  We however are focussed on bringing home a medal for the first time in over 25 years.  The lineup is as follows:

 

Fig Kuryk Cook

Malaschuk Tymchak Duchon

Chartrand Rollie Zielinski

Kelly Naumiuk D. Vann

B. Cockerill Jamie Vann

 

Schultz Wild

Desjarlais Erstelle

Rath Nowicki

 

 

Cameron

Ross

 

Calin Wild was the player of the game, and the Montreal Black Knights were very classy in congratulating us and complementing the performance of our team.  There were only 2 penalties in the game, both on the Black Knights.