Re-Cap: Everblades vs. Stingrays (4/2/11)

It seems fitting that as up and down as this season has been, the Blades playoff outlook would all depend on their performance in the very last game of the regular season.

The game seemed to pick up right where it left off on Friday. Both teams put on tons of pressure and the play was very back and forth. Matt Beca notched his 22 goal of the season to make it 1-0 around the eight minute mark. That was the lone goal of the first period.

Beca's goal was actually the only goal until the Stingrays were able to beat Mike Zacharias on the power play thanks to an Alex Hutchings slashing penalty. His penalty, 45 seconds into the third period was the first penalty of the game. You read that right. Two periods of penalty free hockey. It was a mini miracle.

That goal made tied it up, and with neither team able to score in the remaining minutes of the period, it went to OT.

The Blades did have a lucky break in the period, a full minute of 4 on 3 play was handed to them. Unfortunately, like much of the lattter half of the season, the Blades just could not convert. That ment it was time for a shoot-out.

The Blades shot first:
- Imbeault- No goal
- Cucci- No goal
- Snetsinger- No goal
- Campbell- No goal
- Beca- No goal
- O'Brien- Goal
- Pitt- No goal
- Ricci- Goal

The Stingrays win means they get the pleasure of taking on Wheeling. We on the other hand will be facing Kalamazoo.

Some thoughts:

- The Blades played a good game. Hopefully they keep it up throughout the playoffs.

- Fun fact: Bobby Raymond played every game of the season. Insane. What a beast.

- Remeber how I said I didn't like Zacharias anymore? 32 saves on 33 shots. I forgive him.

- I can't make any jokes about Imbeault. He led the team in shots and was a +1.

First game of the playoffs is Tuesday. Buy your tickets now. This is the time of the season when the fairweather fans finally decide to show up for a game. Paying Ticketmaster fees is worth it to avoid getting stuck in the standing room only area.

They really should save the best seats for people who remeber Tristan Cameron-Harper and Kevin Deeth.