The Ancaster Avalanche entered Stoney Creek arena one final
time for a contest with a familiar foe on Thursday night.
The upstart Warriors had put together an improved playoff
run, with a win over Milton and a near miss on Tuesday night. The Avalanche would have to have all guns
blazing to get the hoped for outcome.
The pre-game air in the dressing room did not feel like a focused, motivated, championship caliber team. The atmosphere was a little too goofy for a key game in the playoffs.
Once the puck dropped, it became obvious that that attitude had continued on to the ice.
Joey gave Ancaster a lead 7 minutes into the contest on a nice goalmouth battle. The lead however, did not last through the first period. Stoney Creek tied the game by getting behind the Ancaster defense. This is a situation that happened often early and was not the type of play the usually defensive focused Avalanche were used to.
A 1-1 tie after the first period was not what Ancaster was hoping for.
The boys came to life somewhat in the second period and left the selfishness on the bench. Sean made it 2-1 and that score help up for much of the period. A Stoney Creek power play gave the Warriors an opportunity to get back into the game. Marcus, however, turned the tone of the game upside down with an unbelievable effort and a short-handed wrap around goal. The Av’s never looked back from the 3-1 lead.
Joe M. made it 4-1 before Stoney Creek closed the gap to 4-2 before the period ended.
Ancaster brought all guns to the third period with Andrew, Mark, Joe M and Caelen on the power play making the final 8-2.
Of special note were the committed play of Eric and Jacob Sf. Eric ended the night +4 and Jacob was a fantastic +5. Both Zack and Brendan did a quality job in the net for Ancaster.
Ancaster has one more Tri-County qualifier left. On Saturday Milton comes to Ancaster for what should surely be a thriller!
Hard Hat – Jacob S.