Atom LL #1 MADDOGS WIN W.O.A.A. MAROON DIVISION
After going undefeated in the playoff round robin, the MADDOGS went up against the Seaforth Stars LL Team. The Series would be the best 3 out of 5 with the Winner taking home the Title of W.O.A.A. Maroon Division Champions and the Cup.
The Seaforth Team had a terrific season and ended regular play in second place behind the Maddogs in the W.O.A.A. Standings. They also enjoyed a season record unblemished by a loss all year and outscoring their opponents in a similar fashion as the Maddogs so this would prove to be a great final series.
The first game was played in Seaforth with the Maddogs having a week off since their last playoff round robin game. Additionally, several of the Maddogs had just returned from family vacations and without practices, it was unknown how fast they could get back into game mode. Seaforth came ready to play and with the puck drop, the play went back and forth for the first frame. When the buzzer sounded to end the first period, both teams were scoreless. The even play continued on in the second with both teams having multiple scoring chances. Then with 2:38 left in the second period, Kaleb Irvin scored, assisted by Noah Aitken and Ryan Helmka to put the Maddogs up 1-0. The second period ended with the Maddogs being up 1 – 0. The third period saw the Maddogs penalized within the first minute of play and while on the powerplay, Seaforth was able to capitalize and even up the score at 1 – 1. The penalties kept coming against the Maddogs in the 3rd period, another 5 penalties were called against them, and a couple 5 – 3 opportunities were handed to Seaforth. The Maddogs played an outstanding penalty killing third period including some great goal-tending to come out of the third period with a 1 – 1 tie. For the first time all season, the Maddogs were going into overtime. Seaforth drew a penalty at the 7:30 mark of the overtime period and Minto seized the opportunity. Kaleb Irvin scored at 6:13 assisted by Ryan Litt to give the Maddogs a hard fought and well deserved 2 – 1 Win.
The Maddogs had little time to savour their win as the second matchup was the very next evening in Harriston. Playing on home ice seemed to give the players more confidence as soon after the puck was dropped, they quickly got their characteristic strong offensive and passing game going. Kaleb Irvin notched Minto’s first goal in the first with a strong unassisted rush at the 3:09 minute mark. Minto was able to generate a number of good chances including some good rebound opportunities but the Seaforth Goaltender played strong in net and the score remained 1 – 0 at the end of the second period. Early in the final frame, Josh Gray intercepted a pass at the Minto blueline and worked his way through the Seaforth forwards and around the defence to score with an excellent wrist shot to give the Maddogs a 2-0 lead. Seaforth never gave up and like the first game, Minto got themselves into penalty trouble in the third drawing a couple penalties in a row trying to contain the Seaforth push. Seaforth had some good chances but the goal tending of Owen Day / Bailley Sinclair was up to the challenge and thanks to some great puck clearing by the defense, few second chances were afforded to Seaforth. Goals by Kalen Irvin and Noah Aitken late in the third period topped off a very strong game for the Maddogs earning them a 4 – 0 win and a 2 – 0 game lead over Seaforth .
Game #3 was back in Seaforth, with the Maddogs having the opportunity to sweep the series and become the WOAA Champions. One of Minto’s snipers, Ryan Helmka was injured in game one of the series, sat out game two, but was dressing for the game 3 to help out anyway he could. The first period of the game saw some tight checking from both teams and several scoring opportunities, with great goal-tending at both ends of the ice. Minto would be first on the board with a goal scored by Ian Jamieson resulting from a nice passing play by Ethan Lemke. Minto would then score 21 seconds later when Kaleb Irvin would throw a great pass out front to Ryan Litt, who would bury his first of the night past the Seaforth goalie. Seaforth would score a goal at the end of the period to make it 2-1 Minto. The second period saw some great back and forth play, with strong forechecking and backchecking from the Minto forwards and great work by the defencemen. Minto would improve their lead in the 2nd period when Kaleb Irvin would hit Ryan Litt in the high slot with a pass and Litt would find the back of the Seaforth net with a nice wrist shot over the goalie’s glove. With Minto going into the 3rd period with a 3-1 lead, the team seemed to let off and become overconfident that they had this game wrapped up. Minto began to struggle in their own end and after some bad give aways, Seaforth produced 3 unanswered goals, taking the lead for the first time in the game 4-3. Minto’s Bradyn Brooking would then notch the equalizer with a beautiful shot from the point, assisted by Kaleb Irvin. With the game tied, Minto’s Ryan Litt would take a great pass from Ethan Lemke and find his way through the Seaforth defence to notch his 3rd goal of the night at 2:07 in the 3rd period. That goal would not prove to be enough as Seaforth came back with a goal at 1:05 to force this game to sudden death OT. At 2 minutes and 30 seconds into the OT period, Kaleb Irvin would find the back of the Seaforth net with a great rush down the ice. It was a great way to finish off the regular season, capturing the WOAA title with some amazing goal-tending by Bailey Sinclair and Owen Day! Great Job Maddogs for a Perfect Season with no losses, It’s a great accomplishment!