Communiqués de Presse

So it is set. 15 weeks, 42+ games and many highlights have passed us by, and now we finally have our final two teams. The Ice Monkeys will face the Bow Valley Buccaneers for league glory and an automatic promotion to League III.2. The loser will move on to the promotion round for a chance to join the winner in that prestigious league. Both these teams were favorites heading into the playoffs, and they have proven us right. Lets see how these two teams match up.

1. Ice Monkeys vs
3. Bow Valley Buccaneers
Season Series: 2-0 Ice Monkeys (4-3, 3-1)

The Skinny: The most dominate team in the league meets the hottest team in the league. It's been predicted since the beginning of the season that the Ice Monkeys would be the team to beat for the league crown, and they have lived up to every expectation so far. Disciplined playing, rock solid goaltending and overall workhorse effort have surrounded this team from day one. Even if Tyler Inglethorpe didn't win the goaltending crown this year, he has been the most consistent goalie all year, not once having an off day all season long. This team has only lost once all year in regulation, and it is going to be quite a challenge to knock them off their pedastal. Expect an automatic promotion to league III.2 in their near future.

The Buccs however have shown some courage this playoffs and seem to be getting more and more confident in themselves as the playoffs go one. From breakout performances to improved defensive play, this team has been solid all playoff. A healthy line-up heading into the final is going to bode well for them, as they are going to need everything they can muster to even try to push a third game in this series. Expect a monstrous effort from each and every player that gets the call on Tuesday.

Team Comparison:
Ice---------------------------------- BV
28---------------Goals----------------23
7------------Goals Against------------15
3---------------PP Goals---------------6
11.5% (6th)-----PP %------------35.3% (1st)
75% (5th)-------PK%------------100% (1st)
1----------PP Goals Allowed-----------0
0--------------SH Goals---------------2
0----------SH Goals Allowed----------0
8-----------------PIM-----------------34
Team Leaders:
-----------------Ice-------------------------BV
Goals-----Solomon Duncan (4)-------Nathan Aldridge (7)
Assists-----Dylan Wrack (5)------------Brad Clark (4)
Points------Juhani Nurro (6)----------Nathan Aldridge (8)
PIM---------Pierre Day (2)------------Greg Clegg (8)
Shots-------Pierre Day (13)----------Nathan Aldridge (17)
+/---------Dylan Wrack (+7)---------Nathan Aldridge (+4)
GW goals--Solomon Duncan (2)-------Jákob Sebeök (2)
Goalies: T. Inglethorpe (1.75, 90.41) -John Jobling (3.67, 87.80)

Key Matchups: Well it's the Goaltending Award winner John Jobling vs the runner up in Tyler Inglethorpe. Jobling didn't join his team until January 20th, but since then has done nothing but win big game after big game for his club. Both goalies can steal a game here, so expect the winner of this series to ride on the coattails of it's goalie to victory. On the scoring front, we have youngster Nathan Aldridge who is having a breakout playoff for Bow Valley, already scoring 7 goals in 4 games. If the Ice Monkeys expect to beat the Buccs, they will need to find a way to neutralize his offense. Look to 17 year old Dylan Wrack to use his big presence to shut Aldridge down. If he can, this series is the Ice Monkeys for the taking.

Prediction: Even though I love the Buccs and their heart, my head has to pick the favorites the Ice Monkeys in 2.
Ice Monkeys 2:0

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