With playoffs looming, Friday night at the Galt Gardens was the stage for the much anticipated rematch between the HAWKS and the 99er's...and what a rematch it was!
Sitting 6 points behind the HAWKS and with three games to go, the 99er's arrived at Galt Gardens with full intentions of handing the HAWKS their 3 straight loss...what the 99er's didn't realize is that the HAWKS had a few intentions of their own! All week the HAWKS prepared for Friday night's tilt and you could certainly see the results of their hard work once the puck dropped.
"Playoffs started tonight for us" indicated a beaming Coach Craig. "We had to win that game and that's what playoffs are all about. Our boys have a lot of pride in themselves and each other...we have a saying in our room that 'good teams don't lose 3 in a row.' Tonight we had all 17 hands on deck and got back to HAWKS hockey. We are a REALLY good hockey team when we play HAWKS hockey. Not many in our league will beat us when we are at the top of our game."
The HAWKS knew they had to play with a bit of desperation in order to solidify their position in the top tier of the standings and they sure showed they wanted to be there. The first two periods they totally dominated the 99er's. You could easily see that the game plan the coaching staff had put together was being carried out by the HAWKS and they were at the top of their game. The HAWKS forwards were all over the offensive zone as the 99er's D sure had their hands full! Pucks were flying around the 99er's net and forwards were paying the price in attempts to score some dirty goals. It was quite evident that the HAWKS' D was on their game as well. D-men were smothering the 99er's forwards as they closed their gaps and were aggressive in their own end.
"The boys understood what was on the line tonight, they worked hard all week, they were focussed on tonight's game and they came out and got a HUGE two points" explained an extremely excited on ice helper Coach Rick McLaren. "Some of the players had to step up tonight and do the things that make them an effective hockey player and they did just that. When this team has all 17 players playing like they can they will do some damage in the playoffs. Tonight I am just very proud of the boys and happy that they can see exactly what happens when they all put their hard hats on!"
Equally excited in the win was trainer John 'Rudy' Papalia. "They met the challenge head on tonight and the HAWKS came out on top with a HUGE win. Ya know, growing up in Cambridge, I have sat in this beautiful, old arena on many a Friday night to watch some big games and tonight's game ranks right up there with one of the most special games I have seen. That being said, we are just starting the playoffs now...I am confident we will see this group play a few more games as equally as special as tonight's game. I guess I am just proud of how the boys responded tonight. Our backs were against the wall and we needed a win. I know the Staff had a few meetings this week with the players and the boys responded really well. Next up, Hamilton!!"
"Playoff hockey is a totally different season" said Coach Craig. "Playoffs is when hockey players elevate their games - some time you see players who can step up and some times we don't. Tonight we saw all 17 step up their games! I can't say enough about how well I thought Kowie and Pimmy played - Pimmy was a different player out there tonight. I know he has that kind of effort in him and when he brings it out we are a different team! The Rock took a beating all night but he was extremely effective. He went hard to the net and when he does that and he stays disciplined and just turns away after the whistle he is frustrating to play against and a little scary too! Another player who had a huge game for us was Paps. He battled hard on his off side tonight. He would not let Brantford beat him in a puck battle - something that I know he is capable of and tonight he elevated his game to do it. Tuffy also played like the big, strong power forward he can be. When he moves his feet, battle hard down low and gets puck to the net he can be the best (and scariest) power forward in the league! It was also nice to see Hank turn it up a bit tonight. When the games are on the line and Hank is on his game he is a HUGE contributor to our team's success. Ya know, Chips and Maccer were sick all week with the flu but you wouldn't know it as their effort was a key factor in our win. Sous picked up his game. Murph and Eddy both upped their efforts and played great. Kitts and Panny were solid yet again. C-Mo and Frank looked awesome on the PP and kept their composure all night - they just move the puck so well to each other and to the forwards. Rosie had a HUGE bounce back game after a rare loss last weekend in Burlington and Hammer Time was the best back up in the game! That said, I know HAMMER TIME has Wednesday's game circled on his calendar and is going to be a monster in net for game 1 of the playoffs! If we are going to do some damage in these playoffs we need to be consistent with the efforts - we cant have 4 or 5 players not show up for each game - effort wise. After what we all saw tonight, we know that each one of these players can up it a notch!"
With the win on Friday night and confirmation that the HAWKS have finished in the Tier 1 side of the standings going into the playoffs, the HAWKS also won the third coach's challenge in a row. Saturday evening, as a result of winning the challenge, the Staff honoured their end of the deal by taking the players out for a team meal followed by a trip back to the Galt Gardens to watch the Winter Hawks take on the visiting Guelph Hurricanes. Rumour out of the dressing room Friday night was that the players were warned about what would happen if Coach Craig received a pie in the face 2 years in a row...soooo what did the players do? They jammed a pie in the face of assistant coach Neil Fewster!! Smart kids!!
Playoff action starts on Wednesday night folks!! The HAWKS are home to the Hamilton Huskies and being that the first game of the playoffs is always one of the biggest and the importance of this game is that much more than the game on Friday night was, I can't wait to see what the HAWKS bring!! Tickets go on sale today at noon - I suggest you get them fast before they are gone!
(HSN from the HAWKS nest)