Feb 21, 2014 | Vmighton | 752 views
Bantams Out of Playoffs After a loss 2 ties with Waterloo
The Bantams played a very solid series with a very evenly matched Waterloo Ravens team over the past 2 weekends, and with only 1 less goal scored than the rivals, they are out of the playoffs while Waterloo moves on to tackle London.
The first game of the 2 out of 3 or first to 4 points series took place on Feb 2 in Howick, and the girls played great, but a lone goal by the Ravens mid way through the 2nd period would prove to be the winner for Waterloo, as the Lightning failed to score.
With a must not lose attitude the Bantams travelled to Sportsworld on Valentines day to fight for the chance to move to game 3, and after a lot of controversy with the time clock, found themselves up 1 - 0 at the end of the second on a scoring play by Delayna Smith, assisted by Jocelyn Ballantyne and Jennelle Smeltzer. Strong play and determination would not let this team down, as KC Chagnon made some great saves to keep the team in the game. After many PP chances to go ahead even further, it was not to be as Waterloo would, and tie the game. The game would remain tied throughout the final minutes. With the LLFHL rules stating that the series must be only 3 games, this would force the Bantams to win the 3rd game, then move to a 5 minute sudden death OT, and a shootout if required in order to get the required 4 points and move on.
Game 3 would be played in Teeswater on Sunday Feb 16th, and would again be a tight game, with both goalies playing well and stopping some seemingly sure things. With a number of Lightning teammates playing hurt or nursing previous injuries, it was going to b a long afternoon! The girls gave it their all, played their hearts out, and have nothing but pride for the season they delivered, but neither team could find the mesh, leaving the game in a scoreless tie, giving Waterloo the required point to move on to meet London in round 2.
From all the parents, grandparents, siblings and fans, we'd like to thank the girls for a great season....you played hard, had fun, finished in 4th place in regular season, and lost in the playoffs by 1 goal. You "fought for that inch", and showed that in SML country, which some consider to be "the middle of nowhere", we don't give up!
Exhibition play will resume in the coming weeks, so please watch our calendar to see when our next action is!