Round 1: Complete

by Halfdan Thorstein

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We slotted to play Colorado in the first round of the SMJHL playoffs. They had a great season - finishing just under us for third in the conference. From my experience, it seemed like their biggest weakness was their defensive play; they could score with the anyone in the league, but just seemed to give up a few more goals than they scored. Were they to have shored that defense up, I wouldn't have been surprised to see Colorado on top, that's how good they can be.

We finished the season, having played Colorado 8 times, and ended up winning each one; two went to OT, and one went to the shoot out, but we pulled through and won each game. But it was clear in each of those games that this team had more to them than we were seeing.

We absolutely knew what Colorado was capable of - our only question was which Colorado team would show up? The team that strings together a solid defensive performance, or a mediocre performance, defensively, to go with their solid core of offensive production? Over a 7 game series, our hope was we'd see a little more of the weaker team; but in a 7 game series, we could see either team, and both were a little terrifying.

Who's in net? Boeing, or Fleury? Both kids can play. Both have the potential to steal a game, in case the defense is lacking for Colorado.

Both, frankly, made us nervous.

As we sat in the conference room before our first morning skate, we were focusing primarily on Titova, Gallo, Kesler and O'Dooley. Unfortunately for us, their top four players consisted of two forwards and two defense - meaning they're capable of scoring from all angles of attack. We also had a good look at Yvel and Rambo - I was particularly focused on Rambo. As a rookie, he is a solid, strong defenseman, capable of playing an extremely difficult zone-play. As good as someone like O'Dooley is, Rambo has a much stronger defensive game and is much more difficult to score against and take advantage of.

The first game - played at home here in Kelowna, was not what we were hoping for. We were out-played most of the game - it was close, for the most part, but Colorado came out to send a message. After they won the game in the first overtime, the message was sent. I was most impressed with Kesler's play on the top line, as well as Yvel, Titova, and Larsson. Boeing had a solid performance, gobbling up a ton of rebounds and overall playing his angles well - we just couldn't crack him.

The second game was even worse; we shellacked Boeing, with something like 34 or 35 shots to the 15 allowed against us. The result? a 4-2 loss. To control the game as well as we did, again, at home, is demoralizing. We put on a great show for our fans, but ultimately Boeing stood tall and won his team the game. I do have to give credit, though, to Rambo and Yvel, for playing so well on the back-end. Kesler, again, was a force to be reckoned with; another 2 point night, solid on the face-off dot, and able to control play.

We needed to regroup and realize that not only are we capable of playing better than these Mammoths, but able to control play in almost every aspect.

Game three saw our first play in Colorado - a great group of fans, for sure, but we needed to shut them up and silence the crowd as quickly as possible. The game ended up exactly as we wanted it - a tight, low-shot game, with us walking to the bus with the 2-1 win. We still couldn't shut Kesler's line down, but kept them to the one goal. We were able to take advantage of some poor turnovers, and ultimately Boeing didn't play as well as he had the first two games.

We're back in it, down just 2-1 in a 7 game series. We're playing our game again. We keep this up, we can't be beat.

In the fourth game, Colorado came to play - but so did we. 113 combined shots between our two clubs, going into 4 overtimes, before the final goal was scored. We were able to last longer - I think our conditioning was a little better, as the last two overtime periods saw us out-shoot Colorado 22-7. On our end, Langabeer came to play - scoring 2 goals and an assist. Definitely the man of the match; more importantly, we were able to shut down the Kesler line. All of the sudden, the series is tied 2-2, heading back to Kelowna.

We needed to show our fans what we can do; we needed to play a solid game in front of our fans, to reward them for supporting us all season.

Game five was just that - the Kelowna show. We absolutely played a solid game, and took advantage of each line Colorado put on the ice. Boeing was extremely solid in net for Colorado; without him in net, I think we would have won much more than the 3-1 final score. Again, we were able to shut down the Kesler line, which made the night easier on our keeper Thompson and our defensive corps; we were able to cycle the puck deep in their zone and play the body against their better defensive players, and all of the sudden we're up 3-2 in the series.

The night of game six was exciting and nerve-wracking for us; we had the opportunity to close the series with the victory, but we were playing in Colorado and knew what Colorado was capable of. This was our test. 64 combined shots later, the game was over. Once again, in overtime - that's 3 out of 6 games this Colorado club took us to overtime in the playoffs. But, unfortunately for them and their fans in Colorado, we walked out with the win - but how exciting was it for us? Down 2-4 with 10 minutes left in the 3rd period, we scored two goals to take it to overtime and my boy Huber walks in and scores the game winner.

We walked out the winner, in 6 games, but I tip my hat to Colorado. These kids came to play, and play they did. Based upon the regular season, we were the clear favorites; based on the results of the playoffs? This Colorado club can play. I think this team has a strong future ahead of them; good management, good drafting, and a solid core of veterans that all now have great playoff experience which ought to lend to a great future for this club.

This was a fantastic, and extremely fun series to play. I do hope, though, that we don't have to play Colorado next year in the playoffs. I think they'll be extremely dangerous. But congratulations to them on a great series and season!

~1167 words