ALLIANCE BRISTOL ATOM A PLAYOFF CHAMPIONS!!!
Submitted By tmacmillan on Mon 03 26, 12
The Atom Jr. Stars defeated the London Bandits in 3 straight games to win the Alliance Bristol Atom A Playoff Championship. The Playoff Championship ends a very successful season including a Championship in the St. Thomas Major Tournament, Finalists in OMHA Playdown Tournament, a 6-0-1 playoff record, a 12-1-2 league record in 2012 and a record of 28-20-7 overall.
The Stars secured a place in the finals after finishing the Semi-Final Series against West London and Brantford with a 3-0-1 record. Easily defeating the West London Hawks, 5-1 and 3-0 in games 1 and 3, the Stars tied the Brantford 99er’s 4-4 in game 2 which meant game 4 was a must win for us. In a closely played contest, Tristan Cruickshank scored what turned out to be the game winner with just over 6:00 remaining as the Stars defeated Brantford 4-3.
Thirteen different players, including 3 of our defensemen, recorded at least 1 point during the Round Robin Series. Luka Dennis scored twice while he was filling in at right wing, Ian Westaway notched his second goal of the season in dramatic fashion with an end to end rush and JD Jakobi recorded 2 assists including one on the game winner in our 3rd game.
In the Finals, game 1 saw the Stars travel to London on Wednesday for a week night matchup. Home ice was not an advantage for our opponents as the Stars jumped out to 4-0 lead mid-way through the 2nd. The Stars scored another four times on route to an 8-3 victory. Nik Churhill and Tyler MacMillan both recorded hat tricks with singles going to Nelson Clarke and Bradley Verhoeven. Harrison Bell and Devon Kaplanis had 2 assists each with single assists going to Miles Vaughan and Chase Cookson. Brett Chapman recorded his 1st playoff win in net.
Game 2 on Friday night, back in St. Thomas, was a much closer game as we expected. Although our team held the lead for most of the game, London drew even at 3 with 5:47 remaining in regulation. The Stars, looking for the win, continued to pressure London until Devon Kaplanis banged home his 1st of the playoffs with just 0:56 remaining on the clock. The Stars held off a late charge by London that included six skaters to capture the win and take a 2-0 series lead. Other goal scorers were MacMillan and Drake Hunter(2). Assists to MacMillan(2), Mason Newell, Chruchill and Vaughan. In net, Taylor Honsinger recorded is 4th playoff win.
Saturday had us at home again for game 3, and the Stars knew London would be a tough opponent as they fought to avoid being swept out of the series. London scored first midway through the opening period but the Stars evened the score in the last minute as Bradley Grignard’s point shot found the back of the net. London, after retaking the lead in the 2nd, extended their advantage to 4-2 over the Stars until we are awarded a penalty shot with 4:00 remaining in the frame. MacMillan made good on the opportunity and narrowed London’s lead to a single goal. Knowing it would be an uphill battle in the 3rd, the Stars continued to work hard. Early in the period London needed several key saves from their goalie to hang onto the lead. With less than 10:00 to go, Bell jammed in a loose puck to tie the game. Winning the centre ice face-off, the Stars took the puck right back into London’s end. Another scramble in front of the net ended with Bell scoring again, just 0:11 after his first to give the Stars the lead for the first time in the game. London tied the game at 5 with just 3:51 remaining. As regulation ticked away, the Stars were called for a tripping penalty giving the man advantage to our opponents in the final 3:00 minutes. Now the Stars were fighting to kill the penalty and extend the game into overtime. On the penalty kill, MacMillan’s wrist shot found its way over the London goalie’s glove and into the back of their net. A short handed marker and his third goal of the game gave the Stars a 6-5 lead that they were able to hang onto for the final 1:43 and capture the Alliance Bristol Atom A Playoff Championship. Assists to MacMillan(3), Hunter (2), Bell. Chapman posted his 2nd playoff victory in net.
Congratulations to everyone!!!