2013 TPWHL Finals: Titans evens series in Game 2

2013 TPWHL Playoffs Finals - Game 2: (2) Titans vs (4) Falcons (Boxscore)

Best of Three series tied 1-1 with a 6-5 Win by the Titans in Game 2.

The Titans who were looking to avoid elimination and force a final Game 3, got off to a fast start to lead 3-0 after the 1st period. Jeremy Schofield (#6) scored the hattrick with 2 assists coming from Nicole Neeson (#5) and 1 from Matthew Cockburn (#87).

There was more of the same in the 2nd where Jeremy scored another 3 Goals (his 9th in the playoffs), assisted by Matthew Vocino (#13) and Nicole who got her 6th point of the playoffs. The Falcons were able to get on the scoreboard with 2 Goals from Saverio Romano (#4), assisted by Meghan Hines (#29) 1st of 2 assists giving her 10 points in the playoffs.

In the 3rd period, it was surely an exciting finish. Lorne Donnelly scored 2 Goals for the Falcons, his 4th of the playoffs to make it 6-4 for the Titans. Falcons would make it a one goal game with 30 seconds left in the game on Saverio's 16th of the playoffs. However the Titans would eventually hang on for the win to force a final Game 3 for the 2013 Championship.

Honourable mentions to Brandon Hibbs (#21), Sergio Correia (#26) of the Titans, Bill Rankin (#60), Tara Gibson (#74), Sam Palmeire (#1), and Steven Davis (#23) of the Falcons who all played hard.

Final Game 3 is on May 4th at 1pm.

2013 TPWHL Finals: Falcons Win 4-2 in Game 1

TPWHL Playoffs Finals - Game 1: (2) Titans vs (4) Falcons (Boxscore)

Falcons Lead Best of Three series 1-0 with a 4-2 Win over the Titans in Game 1.

Jeremy Schofield (#6) opened the scoring for the Titans with his 2nd goal of the playoffs 1:30 into the game. Saverio Romano (#4) answered for the Falcons with his 13th, assisted by Meghan Hines (#29) late in the 1st period. On the goal Saverio deked out the defenceman and then beat goalie Neil Mercer (#67).

In the 2nd period, the Titans regained the lead 2-1 on Jeremy's 3rd of the playoffs. On the goal Torrance Ho (#30) got a piece of the ball, but Jeremy's powerful shot still got pass the goalie. However the Falcons had another answer on Meghan Hines 1st Goal of the playoffs, whose shot trickled through the goalie to tie the game 2-2. Saverio Romano assisted on the goal, 1st of 2 assists in the game.

Lorne Donnelly scored his 1st 2 goals of the 2013 playoffs in the 3rd period, helping the Falcons take their first lead and eventually winning game 1. On one of the goals, Lorne scored on the wrap around with his backhand. Titans had a few close chances to score in 3rd, but the ball bounced off the top of the net.

The Falcons defence played a huge role in their win, Tara Gibson (#74), Sam Palmeire (#1), and Steven Davis (#23) all made amazing plays to stop the Titans on the breakaway.

Honourable mentions to Nicole Neeson (#5), Brandon Hibbs (#21), Matthew Vocino (#13), Matthew Cockburn (#87), Sergio Correia (#26) of the Titans, and Bill Rankin (#60) of the Falcons who all played a great game.

Game 2 of the Finals is on April 27th at 1pm.

Falcons Defence Helps them to the Finals!

2013 TPWHL Playoffs Semi-Final - Game 2: (1) Saints vs (4) Falcons (Boxscore)

Photo by Terrence Ho

Falcons Wins Best of Three series 2-0 to Advance to the Finals!

After a wild 8-6 game in Game 1, it was more of a tight checking game in this one. The Falcons great defence and 4 Goals from Saverio Romano (#4) led to a 4-1 Win over the Saints in Game 2.

Saverio Romano opened the scoring for the Falcons with 2 Goals in the 1st period to lead 2-0. Saints Jerry Mariano (#76) had two great opportunities on the wrap around, but was stopped by Torrance Ho (#30).

The score would hold up until the 3rd period where the Saints got back in the game at 2-1 with Michael Iacovone's (#31) 5th Goal of the Playoffs, assisted by Jerry Mariano. However Saverio gave the Falcons a 2-goal lead again at the 10 minute mark, assisted by Meghan Hines (#29). Jerry Mariano nearly answered but the goalie made the save and Saverio swatted the rebound out, which was greatly appreciated. Late in the period Saverio Romano scored his 12th of the Playoffs to secure the win for his team.

It was a great game for all the Falcons that led to the win, tight forechecking from Saverio, Meghan, Lorne Donnelly, and Bill Rankin (#60). Also great defence from Tara Gibson (#74), Sam Palmeire (#1), and Steven Davis (#23) which made the goalie's job a little easier. Saints were a great opponent and I respect them a lot.

Honourable mentions to Eli Shupak (#1), Erin Vassilakos (#2), James Lawton (#9), Bryan Rakowski (#22), and Sean Celsie (#25) of the Saints who all played hard.

Game 1 of the Finals is on April 20th at 1pm.

Nicole Neeson Sends Titans to Finals!

2013 TPWHL Playoffs Semi-Final - Game 2: (2) Titans vs (3) Lions (Boxscore)

Titans Wins Best of Three series 2-0 to Advance to the Finals!

After a 1-0 Game 1, it was much of the same in Game 2 with a thrilling 2-1 Win in Overtime for the Titans.

Titans once again opened the scoring on Nicole Neeson's (#5) first goal of the 2013 playoffs in the 1st period.

The Lions who were looking to tie up the series, found some life in the 2nd period with a goal from their Captain Kirk "Bam Bam" Ashman (#92) to tie the game at 1.

The rest of the game was quite intense and the Lions had many close chances to take the lead, but Neil Mercer (#67) made all the stops. Late in the 3rd period with 1:30 left on the clock the Titans had a great opportunity with Kirk Ashman in the box, however Leo Xu (#23) and the defence stayed strong to send the game to a 10 minute overtime.

In the overtime period, the Titans kept on coming at the Lions and eventually broke through late in the period with the winner from Nicole Neeson, her 2nd of the game to help return them to the Finals. Jeremy Schofield (#6) assisted on the goal.

This was one of the best series I have seen, there was great goaltending and defence from both teams. You could feel the intensity from watching the games. Also, these two teams were evenly matched and the series really could have gone either way. Lions should be proud.

Honourable mentions to Brandon Hibbs (#21), Matthew Vocino (#13), Matthew Cockburn (#87), Sergio Correia (#26) of the Titans, Don Dechamps (#9), Lori Edwards (#14), Don Barrie (#33), Greg Contaxis (#66), Marcel Adarkawa (#99), and Gabriel (#19) of the Lions who all played a great series.

Game 1 of the Finals is on April 20th at 1pm.

Falcons Wins Wild Game 1

2013 TPWHL Playoffs Semi-Final - Game 1: (1) Saints vs (4) Falcons (Boxscore)

Photo by Esther Dzura

Falcons Lead Best of Three series 1-0 with an 8-6 Win over the Saints in Game 1.

The Falcons built an early 4-0 advantage 1:09 into the 2nd period with 4 Goals from Saverio Romano (#4), 1 assist by Bill Rankin (#60) and 2 assists from Meghan Hines (#29). On one of the goals Meghan made a sick pass through the Saints' forwards to Saverio for the goal.

After a slow start for the Saints Michael Iacovone (#31) woke them up by scoring a Hattrick 3 minutes apart, all 3 assisted by Jerry Mariano (#76) to change the momentum. On 2 of the goals Mike made amazing shots to beat the goalie. They eventually tied the game 4-4 on a goal from Erin Vassilakos (#2), who was left alone in front. It was truly a spectacular comeback.

The Saints took their first lead of the game 5-4, 2 minutes into the 3rd period on Michael Iacovone's 4th goal of the 2013 playoffs. However the game was far from over. Saverio Romano gave the Falcons the 6-5 lead again with 2 goals midway through the 3rd, both assisted by Meghan Hines who had a 5 point game. With 3 minutes left Erin Vassilakos once again tied it for the the Saints at 6-6 on her 2nd of the playoffs off a tough rebound, goal was assisted by Jerry his 5th point.

In the final minute Saverio Romano scored 2 to secure a wild 8-6 win for the Falcons, it was his 7th and 8th of the playoffs which was impressive. It was also an inspired effort by Lorne Donnelly of the Falcons, who played with an arm injury.

After playing in the game, if it continues to be high scoring I believe the series could still go either way. Also both goalies Eli Shupak (#1) and Torrance Ho (#30) are more than capable of making a difference for their teams.

Honourable mentions to James Lawton (#9), Bryan Rakowski (#22), Sean Celsie (#25) of the Saints, Sam Palmeire (#1), and Steven Davis (#23) of the Falcons who all played their hearts out.

Game 2 is on April 13th.

Defending Champs Titans Wins Defensive Battle in Game 1

2013 TPWHL Playoffs Semi-Final - Game 1: (2) Titans vs (3) Lions (Boxscore)

Photo by Esther Dzura

Titans Lead Best of Three series 1-0 with a 1-0 Win over the Lions in Game 1.

In a game between last years champion Titans and 2011 Champion Lions, it was an intense and tight defensive battle right to the end.

The Titans scored the only goal of the game at 8:50 in the 2nd period, Jeremy Schofield (#6) scored his first of the 2013 playoffs assisted by Nicole Neeson (#5). On the goal Jeremy scoped the ball up and over Goalie Leo Xu (#23), who played an excellent game for the Lions.

Goalie Neil Mercer (#67) got his first playoff shutout as a Titan and continued his great goaltending in the playoffs. Neil improved to 5-1 with a 1.50 Goals Against Average in his last 6 Playoff games. Brandon Hibbs (#21) also played a great game on defence.

After watching the game I believe the Lions still have a chance with Kirk Ashman (#92) and Don Dechamps (#9), who fought hard in Game 1. Either way it will be great series.

Honourable mentions to Matthew Vocino (#13), Sergio Correia (#26) of the Titans, Lori Edwards (#14), Don Barrie (#33), Greg Contaxis (#66), Marcel Adarkawa (#99), and Gabriel (#19) of the Lions who all played their hearts out.

Game 2 is on April 13th.