The first finalists in the Howe Sound Men's Hockey League playoffs could be determined tomorrow night (March 12).
The Flyers are dusting off their brooms after taking a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five playoff series against the Red Wings this week, while the Predators are deadlocked with the fourth-place Chiefs.
The playoffs got off to an exciting start Wednesday (March 2) with the last place Chiefs upsetting the first place Predators 5 to 4.
"It started like a fast men's league game but ended up being more playoff hockey as the rivalry built," said Flyers goalie Steve Hadden.
The Predators' Rob McNutt was solid in nets, but the Chiefs' Chris Petrie was determined, scoring two of five points for the team.
The second game pinned the second placed Flyers against the Red Wings Friday (March 4). The Flyers took an early lead with Miles Rosser making a "spectacular play" in the last minute of the first period for a lead of 2-0 and got the score up to 4-0 before a spirited comeback in the second period saw the game end 6-4 for the Flyers.
Game two in each series Wednesday night (March 9) saw the Predators exact revenge on the Chief with a 5-1 win, while the Flyers took a 4-2 victory.
The Chiefs and Predators battle for the advantage in their series tonight (March 11) at 9:55 p.m. at Brennan Park, while the Flyers can wrap it up Saturday (March 12) at 10:20 p.m. Game four in the Chiefs/Preds series goes Wednesday (March 16) at 8:45 p.m., while game four of the Flyers/Red Wings, if necessary, is next Friday (March 18) at 9:55 p.m.
The league ended their 2004/2005 regular season with an awards ceremony at the Ocean Port Hotel Feb. 26. All Star Defencemen awards went to the Flyers' Clark Jensen and the Predators' Rod Allen. All Star Forward went to the Red Wings' Craig Halliday, the Predators' Chris Petrie and the Chiefs' Chris Kormendy. The Gadge Jhuty Top Goalie of the Year award went to the Flyers' Steve Hadden. Most Sportsmanlike Player went to the Red Wings' Jody Parry. Most Improved Player went to Predators' Mark Harris. MVP of the Year went to the Flyers' Miles Rosser. Rookie of the Year went to the Red Wings' Kevin Smillie. The John Hunter Memorial Most Sportsmanlike Team went to the Chiefs. And the Phil Lacoursiere Memorial Outstanding Dedication to Hockey award went to the Predators' Graham Newell.
