Grizzlies say Thank You!
Championship Treatment
Posted: February 22, 2010 4:13AM; Updated: February 23, 2010 8:48AM The 2009-2010 PIHA Championships, also known as the Founder’s Cup, was one of the best shows put on in the roller hockey world. The home town Colorado Springs Thunder hosted the New Jersey Grizzlies in a Best-of-Seven game series over three days in Colorado Springs. The Grizzlies made their way to this series by going through the Harrisburg Lunatics in a quick two-game series. They then traveled to Long Island to play a Best-of-Five Series and eliminate the Suffolk Sting in a hard fought series on a winter Saturday afternoon in February.
The Grizzlies came to Colorado expecting to participate in just another roller hockey event, but were they ever surprised when they got to Colorado. The Grizzlies effort was spearheaded by Goaltender Andrew Goworek who won both games in Quarter finals and then eliminated the Sting by winning 3 of the 5 games in Long Island. “Unfortunately the games didn’t turn out the way that we wanted, but the experience is something I know I will never forget, from the Thunder fans, our fans at home and the whole event in general” says Goaltender Andrew Goworek.
The Grizzlies arrived on Friday morning to Denver, got into a van and traveled well over one hour, got off the van and skated for about 45 minutes. After their morning skate, they were treated to lunch which was all expensed by PIHA. “I certainly don’t want to make excuses, but it was a tough morning and then to play two games that night, well, we weren’t 100%. However, the event was a first class run operation and I am proud of how our team handled itself.” Says Coach Robert Fulton. After receiving rink time and lunch on the house, the Grizzlies headed back to their hotel where they would remain until the series began later that evening. “I have played hockey for a long time, and although things didn’t go our way, I am very happy to say that I am proud the way the entire event was handled” says Mark Wyckoff who is set to retire at the conclusion of this season.
Into the games. Pregame ceremonies for both teams, announcing line ups, fans screaming, what a scene at the Tour Arena. Both teams would play a stalemate in Game 1 with the score being 0-0 throughout. “Game 1 was very intense and you could feel in intensity throughout the building, neither team wanted to make a mistake” says Nick Pileggi. However, with a little under a minute to go, the Grizzlies would turn over the puck at center rink and the Thunder would capitalize to take a 1-0 lead. The Grizzlies would immediately use their time out and try frantically to tie the game, but an empty net goal would clinch Game 1 for the Thunder. “Sometimes, it’s just how the puck bounces. It was an even game all around, but they took advantage and took that game.” Says Co-Captain Kris Moore. Thunder lead the series 1-0.
Game 2 would be a little different. With both teams coming out firing, hitting posts, missing odd man rushes and any chance to gain a lead, the Thunder would strike first once again and take a 1-0 lead early on, only to add a later goal to make it 2-0 before the half. The Grizzlies would make it a 2-1 game shortly after, however, the Thunder would answer right back at take a 3-1 lead with a little more than 9:00 to go in the game. The Grizzlies would start a frantic comeback by making the game 3-2 and 3-3 within 4 minutes of each other. However, a controversial penalty would seal this game for the Thunder. With 10 second remaining in the game, the Thunder would receive a power play on a penalty which would be committed in the corner. In overtime, with the Grizzlies killing off much of the Thunder power play, they would get a lucky bounce and score to win game 2 in overtime. “Well, in a series like this, it’s a shame that the officials didn’t their put their whistles away heading into overtime, but, hey they took advantage again, good for them” says Jeff Grabowski. Friday Night would come to an end with the Thunder leading the series 2-0.
The series shifted to Saturday and Games 3 and 4. The Grizzlies being down 2 games to none, were ready for the challenge. “We really never thought we were out of this series. They got two lucky breaks on Friday, and we really thought we could even this series on Saturday Night.” says Andrew Brodsky.
Games 3 and 4 would be no different. With the Grizzlies ready to do battle in Games 3 and 4, the Thunder would score :20 second into Game 3 and make it 2-0 a little bit less than 2 minutes later to take a 2-0 lead. The Grizzlies would use their time out and try to make it a game before it got away from them, and that they did. They scored a little bit less than 3 minutes later to make it a 2-1 game at the half. However, the Thunder would make it 3-1 shortly after the intermission. The Grizzlies would let up the 4-1 goal, less than three minutes later and Coach Denis Jelcic decided it was time for Nuno Costa to get his first action of the weekend. “Taking Drew out was definitely tough, because he had played well so well, but we needed a change and we thought, well, maybe Nuno would spark us. “It was tough going into that game cold, but I was ready. I figured we had enough time to come back and I would be ready for the challenge. Says goaltender Nuno Costa. Well, he was correct. The Grizzlies did have a chance to come back, and they did when they made it 4-2 shortly thereafter, however, another Thunder power play would put the game away and give the Thunder a commanding 3 games to 0 lead in the series. “We played well, we just couldn’t get going in the right direction, and well they took it to us.” Says Phil Cocozzo.
With the Grizzlies down 3-0 in the series, the coaching staff decided that it was time to start Nuno Costa in goal and that they did. “I think both goalies were awesome for us, it had nothing to do with them, we just didn’t have it” says Tom Youmans. Game 4 would start off a little bit different. The Grizzlies would pressure the Thunder from the get go and would take their first lead of the series 1-0 and would hold the lead for quite some time. The Grizzlies had chances to make it 2-0 more than once, but the goal posts is as close as they would get to extended the score, hitting 4 posts in a row. With the Grizzlies hitting the posts, the Thunder would take advantage and tie the game 1-1. The Thunder would receive the next three power plays of which the Grizzlies would kill off, and then with a little bit more than 3 minutes left they would take a 2-1 lead on a shorthanded goal and then put the game, series and season away for the Grizzlies by adding yet another power play goal with just over 2 minutes remaining. The Grizzlies would use their time out to try and get two quick goals, but fall short. “We didn’t think it was over until the buzzer went off. We still thought we could tie the game.” Says Chris Wolf. However, it too would be a bit short of his belief, the Grizzlies would sniff the front of the net and get some great chances, but in the end the Thunder would prevail and take the game and series to complete their defense of the Founder’s Cup Championship in 2009.
The Grizzlies organization would like to take the time to thank the entire Colorado staff for their work to get this event prepared. They would like to personally thank Jim Van Horn, Charley Yoder and CJ Yoder for their non-stop professionalism not only throughout this event, but the entire season. “Overall, it was a very flattering weekend. The way we were catered to by the Thunder Organization, and the kids at the rink being so excited to meet us were like nothing any of us have ever experienced before. Even after some tough losses it was impossible to stay mad with kids skating up to us complimenting us and asking for autographs. On another note, I would just like to say how proud I am of my teammates for a very successful season. There’s not a better group of guys I would have wanted to experience this past weekend with.” Says Robbie Fulton.
Our Co-Captain James Manganaro requested to complete this article on the flight home on this note:
“The entire weekend was amazing. I have been playing hockey for 14 years and I have never been treated as nicely and professionally as I was during this event. The games were all intense and could have gone either way, but at the end of the day special teams decided the games and our power play struggled. My hat goes off to the Thunder, they are a very well run organization that handled themselves very well on and off the rink. We hope to be back next season. I would also like to send our best wishes to the Thunder’s own teammate Chris who was diagnosed with cancer. We were all very happy to participate in “Bic it for Chris” and wish him our very best. Thank you again to everyone who put this weekend together and to the fans who came to watch us play”
And as I said, in the post game speech; “Thank you, thank you, it was something I will never ever forget” Denis Jelcic
|
