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2014 NSEMMHL CHAMPIONS
2014-03-26
We're Lovin' it
For the 3rd time in 4 seasons Halifax is the Nova Scotia Eastlink Major Midget Hockey League Champions!!
This also marked the 4th consecutive year that Halifax and Dartmouth squared off in the league play-offs. Just as expected this year delivered another exciting round of hockey.
The McDonalds exploded in Game 1 with a 7-0 win over the Gladiators. Justin Ritcey made 29 saves to earn his 3rd shutout in 4 games.
Game 2 was a much tighter contest with the Macs holding a 1-0 lead into the third but with 1:37 in the game the Gladiators tied the contest then scored again to steal a 2-1 victory and even the series at 1.
Game 3 shifted over to Dartmouth and the Gladiators came out firing grabbing a 2-0 lead in the second. The Macs would rally back for 3 goals but could not hold the lead. The teams would exchange a goal and saw themselves tied at 4 at the end of regulation. With 3:45 remaining in the second OT period Patrick Stewart scored a "controversial" goal to win the game and take a 2-1 series lead.
The two teams were back at it the next afternoon for Game 4 of the series. This time it was the McDonalds who came out with a 2-0 lead early in the first but the Gladiators would answer back. The teams would once again exchange goals and then with 1:35 left in the game Newbridge Academy scored to take a 4-3 lead. Just when it looked like this series was going back to Halifax tied, Luc Poirier scored to tie the game at 4 with 32 seconds remaining. Jordan Bezanson would feed the puck to Dillon Boucher who scored the game winning goal at 5:49 of the first OT and would be the OT hero on this day giving the Macs a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Game 5 saw the Macs with the opportunity to win on their home ice for the first time in 20 years. Early in the third Halifax had a 3-0 lead and it was certain the game was theirs until the Gladiators rallied for 3 goals to tie the contest. For the third consecutive game regulation was not enough to solve the contest. Newbridge Academy controlled most of the pace in the overtime period but the solid goal tending by Reilly Pickard kept his team's championship hopes alive. Jordan Bezanson was called to the box for head contact which gave devastating 4 minute power-play to the Gladiators. The Macs would continue to fight in their own zone until Luc Poirier broke free and skated up the wing. He would pass it over to the open Justin Doiron who scored short-handed to seal the deal on McDonald's story book season.
The win would mark Halifax's 3rd league championship in 4 season. Justin Doiron was the obvious choice for the Player of the Game and Reilly Pickard made 47 saves in the win. The play-off MVP was awarded to Dillon Boucher.
The McDonalds will now move on to the 2014 Atlantic Championships in Pictou County, NS from April 3-6. For more information on this tournament and for the schedule visit: www.midgetatlantics2014.ca
This also marked the 4th consecutive year that Halifax and Dartmouth squared off in the league play-offs. Just as expected this year delivered another exciting round of hockey.
The McDonalds exploded in Game 1 with a 7-0 win over the Gladiators. Justin Ritcey made 29 saves to earn his 3rd shutout in 4 games.
Game 2 was a much tighter contest with the Macs holding a 1-0 lead into the third but with 1:37 in the game the Gladiators tied the contest then scored again to steal a 2-1 victory and even the series at 1.
Game 3 shifted over to Dartmouth and the Gladiators came out firing grabbing a 2-0 lead in the second. The Macs would rally back for 3 goals but could not hold the lead. The teams would exchange a goal and saw themselves tied at 4 at the end of regulation. With 3:45 remaining in the second OT period Patrick Stewart scored a "controversial" goal to win the game and take a 2-1 series lead.
The two teams were back at it the next afternoon for Game 4 of the series. This time it was the McDonalds who came out with a 2-0 lead early in the first but the Gladiators would answer back. The teams would once again exchange goals and then with 1:35 left in the game Newbridge Academy scored to take a 4-3 lead. Just when it looked like this series was going back to Halifax tied, Luc Poirier scored to tie the game at 4 with 32 seconds remaining. Jordan Bezanson would feed the puck to Dillon Boucher who scored the game winning goal at 5:49 of the first OT and would be the OT hero on this day giving the Macs a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Game 5 saw the Macs with the opportunity to win on their home ice for the first time in 20 years. Early in the third Halifax had a 3-0 lead and it was certain the game was theirs until the Gladiators rallied for 3 goals to tie the contest. For the third consecutive game regulation was not enough to solve the contest. Newbridge Academy controlled most of the pace in the overtime period but the solid goal tending by Reilly Pickard kept his team's championship hopes alive. Jordan Bezanson was called to the box for head contact which gave devastating 4 minute power-play to the Gladiators. The Macs would continue to fight in their own zone until Luc Poirier broke free and skated up the wing. He would pass it over to the open Justin Doiron who scored short-handed to seal the deal on McDonald's story book season.
The win would mark Halifax's 3rd league championship in 4 season. Justin Doiron was the obvious choice for the Player of the Game and Reilly Pickard made 47 saves in the win. The play-off MVP was awarded to Dillon Boucher.
The McDonalds will now move on to the 2014 Atlantic Championships in Pictou County, NS from April 3-6. For more information on this tournament and for the schedule visit: www.midgetatlantics2014.ca