Toronto Power Wheelchair Hockey League – M.D. Cup Playoff Semi-finals Week 3 Recap

Semi-Finals (Week 3) hosted one exciting game – Kings (9-8-3) vs. Mustangs (9-9-2).

Game 3 (Kings vs. Mustangs)  With the Mustangs taking the first game and the Kings taking the second game of the series, it was a do or die for both sides.  We knew it would be a hotly contested affair, and it certainly didn’t disappoint, going down to the very last shot to decide who would be the winner. Period One saw both sides come out with a lot of energy and each shift saw the exchange of quality chances from both squads.  At 5:05 the Mustangs struck first when Roberto Monteiro took a Nicole Neeson pass and slid it past Kings keeper Leo Xu.  Though many chances followed the Mustangs lead held until the final minute of the opening frame. At 14:05 an errant Mustangs clearing pass ended up on the stick of Isaac Vescio (unassisted) and he made no mistake beating Mustangs Brad Gordon on the short side and both sides were knotted at 1-1.  Period Two opened with a Kings flurry and at 1:36 the Kings David Donnelly tipped an Isaac Vescio pass and beat the Mustangs Gordon for the second time – Kings up 2-1.  The remainder of the second period as in the first saw both sides exchange some quality chances but both “Keepers of the Cabled Cabanas”  stood tall and no further damage was done.  Period Three was a continuation of the first and second with both sides showing determination and neither side willing to give an inch.  At 3:54 a solo effort by the Mustangs Nicole Neeson broke the ice for this final frame and brought both sides even again at 2-2.  The King’s weren’t willing to sit on their laurels and a quick Isaac Vescio shot at 7:25 (unassisted) beat Mustang’s Gordon again and the King’s reclaimed the lead (3-2).  As the clock clicked over for the final minute the Mustangs weren’t ready to give up without a fight and their Roberto Monteiro grabbed a loose ball in front of the King’s net,  slammed it home, and both sides were heading to O.T.  The Overtime Period wasn’t going to make the decision with both sides playing tight and neither squad wanting to lose it all and it was soon apparent that this one was going to a Shoot Out!!  After three shooters from both sides, they were still even at 2-2.  It came down to King’s Mike Iacovone against Mustang’s Roberto Monteiro both going for their second shots and second goals of the showdown. Iacovone shot first and his laser hit the top left corner beating Mustangs Gordon and putting the pressure on Mustang’s Monteiro to keep his team alive.  Monteiro decided to go for the same top corner as Iacovone but little too much heat launched it just over the crossbar and the King’s win the game and the series.  Final 4-3 (Shootout) Kings over Mustangs.  Kings move onto the M.D. Cup Finals versus the Bulldogs.

On April 30th, 2016, the playoffs continue with Finals Week 1 as the Kings take on the Bulldogs in the Championship Finals! at Sunnyview Public School. Come watch the TPWHL next Saturday from 12:30 to 3:30 PM.