The Toronto Thunder claim the Pre Season Tournament Championship with a 2-0 win over St. Michael's. This team keeps rolling in 2010. Can they transform this into a summer championship?
SEMI-FINAL #1
Toronto Thunder vs. Oshawa Bruins
In a rematch of last year’s final of the PST the Thunder and Bruins hooked up again with a spot to the final on the line. The Thunder looked to continue their dominance in the PST as a full line-up showed up to take on a under-manned Bruins team who had only 7 runners. In this case there was strength in numbers and the short benched Bruins couldn't keep up with the fresh legs of the Thunder. The final would read 4-0 Thunder, thanks largely in part to Andrew Platt in the Bruins goal who turned away numerous scoring chances to keep the game respectable. Scoring for the Thunder were Paul Duarte, James Fugundes, Danny Pacheco and Glen Bradbury. Nelson Medeiros pitched his second shutout of the tournament turning away 9 Bruin shots.
SEMI-FINAL #2
North York Leafs vs. St. Michael’s BHC
The NY Leafs entering their first season in the premier division used the PST to measure themselves versus the established premier teams and they should be very content with their results. Defeating both the Vaughan Jets and Metro Orangemen and drawing with the Bruins were more than many expected in the round robin play. The next hurdle would be St. Michael's BHC, the new look St. Mike’s that is, as many off season moves by management has improved the depth and intensity of this sophomore club. A late entry into the PST St. Mike’s run to the semis was an eye opener to future opponents that this club means business. In a tight played first period the only marker would come off the stick of Spencer Irving as he scored a PP goal to put the Leafs up 1-0 after one. After falling in last year’s PST in overtime to the Bruins St. Mike’s would not be denied as Tony Medeiros levelled the score at 1 with a PP goal early in the 2nd. Tommy Kotsopoulos, St. Mike’s prized addition in the off season, scored the winner to pay immediate dividends as he sent his club to the final of the PST. Mike Giordano would add an insurance marker into an empty net for a 3-1 final.
FINALS
Toronto Thunder vs. St Michael's BHC
These two foes faced off in the round robin play with the Thunder easily handling St. Mike’s 7-3. Playing without all star forward Massimo Principe the Thunder needed to look elsewhere for an offensive spark. The first period would end scoreless as Nelson Medeiros continued his stellar play as St. Mikes dominated play and kept the Thunder pinned in their own zone for the majority of the first 15 minutes. With the number of snipers that the Thunder possesses it would just be a matter of time before they found the back of the net. Opening the scoring was veteran Glen Bradbury, who has the reputation of scoring big goals in big games, broke down the wing deked goaltender Dan Medeiros and roofed a backhand into the top shelf. After that the famous Thunder trap came into play and a second goal would soon follow. After a year off James Fagundes has returned and looks better than ever as his second goal of the day is all the offence the Thunder would need as Nelson Medeiros posts his third shutout in 5 games.
AWARDS
Tournament MVP-Nelson Medeiros (Toronto Thunder) 5-0 record with 3 shutouts.
Tournament All Stars
Forward-James Fugundes (Toronto Thunder)
Forward-Tommy Kotsopolous (St. Michael’s)
Forward-Glen Bradbury (Toronto Thunder)
Defenceman-Danny Pacheco (Toronto Thunder)
Defenceman-Phil Willard (St. Michael’s)
Goaltender-Nelson Medeiros (Toronto Thunder)
WEEK #3
North York Leafs and Vaughan Jets faced off with the winner moving ahead. The NY leafs undefeated in their Premier history (2 games) have opened alot of eyes with their play. The star of this game for the Leafs was goaltender Alex Liakopoulos who withstood an early attack from the Jets that desperately needed a win to keep their PST lives going. The offence the Leafs needed would come from #8 Shawn Hannon as he fired a PP and SH goal to down the Jets and propel the Leafs into the semi-round. Adriano Oliva would secure the victory with a late PP goal of his own. Ryan Young would reply for the Jets as they were winless in 3 games to start their 2010 season.
Toronto Thunder and St. Mike's would square off next as both teams had already advanced to the next round. The winner of this game would go through as division winners. The Thunder once again flexed their offensive muscles as they found the back of the net 7 times in a 7-2 romp of St.Mike's. Massimo Principe, Robert Cardoso and Danny Filice each with a pair and Ricky Daponte with a single are too much for St. Mike's to handle. Tommy Kotsopoulos acquired in a trade with the Jets scored both St. Mike's markers as he proves the second pick overall (dispersal draft) was well worth the price they paid to get him.
WEEK #2
The Metro Orangemen and the Oshawa Bruins opened weekend 2 with a 2-2 draw. All games involving these two have resulted in ties so far. The Orangemen opened a 2-0 lead as Joe Pontes and Chris Cerqueira on the PP beat Matt Thompson in the Bruins net. Just like they did vs. the Leafs the Bruins battled back with two 2nd period goals from Shane Terry and Brian Hendry to steal another point and stay unbeaten.
Mississauga Hawks looking to bounce back from an opening night loss to the Thunder faced off vs. St Mike's in what was a do or die game for the veteran Hawks. Storming out of the gates the Hawks rang the iron 3 times in the first period but were unable to beat Dan Medeiros St. Mike’s starting goaltender. The only goal St. Mike’s would need came from newcomer John Martino as he scores on the PP for the margin of victory. With the win St. Mike’s moves onto the semi final round. The last game of the division pits 2 undefeated teams, Toronto Thunder vs. St. Mike’s for first place in the division.
Oshawa and the Jets a rematch from last years QF round was up next. The Jets eliminated the Bruins from post season play last year and the Bruins were prepared for history not to repeat itself. Captain Jason Toth playing with pride and determination scored both the winner and insurance markers and Paul Loghrey into an empty net sealed a 3-0 victory. Andrew (Chevy) Platt posted the shutout and the Bruins claimed there spot in the semi final round with a 1-0-2 record. The Jets hopes now rested with the NY Leafs as an Orangemen win would send the Jets packing.
Danforth Demons and Mississauga Hawks were next. Both teams failed in their quest to advance to the next round and were playing out the tournament. Fitting for both teams the game ended in a 4-4 tie. Scoring for the Hawks were Richard Farnum, Mike Garcia, Victor Azevado and Brian Lucas. Replying for the Demons were Wil Trougakos, John Giummarra and the Celebre brothers Paulo and Anthony. Both teams now await the start of the regular season.
The game many were waiting for pitted two bitter rivals from their tier 2 days, the NY Leafs and Metro Orangemen. Both teams realizing how big a game this was came out like it was game 3 of a playoff series and the banging began. One of the most physical games of the PST these teams were not giving an inch. With the physical play came a steady stream to the penalty box and both teams were relying on their special teams to steal them the points. The NY Leafs opened the scoring on the PP from a Kevin Rust point shot. The Orangemen would tie the game on a PP of their own from super sniper Ricardo Pires. The game looked surely to end in a draw as the clocked ticked down to less than 20 seconds. The ball would come down the left hand boards where Shawn Hannon stripped the ball from an Orangemen defencemen at the blueline which leads to a 2 on1 with Tony Ricci and Hannon calmly slides the pass over to Ricci and he buried the game winner to keep the Leafs undefeated with a 1-0-1 record. The Leafs next face the Jets where a win or tie will vault the newcomers to the semi final round. If the Jets win they will join Oshawa, Toronto Thunder and St. Michael’s in the final 4 round.
WEEK #1
On Saturday the first game of the tournament was a rematch of the Fall final as the Toronto Thunder played host to the Danforth Demons. A 7 goal explosion from the Thunder, 6 in the first period was too big a mountain to climb for the Demons and the Thunder coasted to a 7-2 victory. Massimo Principe and line mate Danny Filice each scored twice, Ricky Daponte, Marco Goncalves and making his return to the Thunder line up was James Fugundes adding singles. Replying for the Demons were John Giummarra and Dave Divizio.
Day two started with the Demons facing St.Michael’s with their backs against the wall. With a do or die game staring them in the face the Demons roared out of the gate and opened up a 4-2 lead. Finding the back of the net was John Giummarra with his second and third goals of the tournament, Ryan Atkinson and John Divizio. The lead would hold up for most of the game and then the wheels fell off. The Demons were penalized twice in the last 2 minutes and St. Mike’s capitalized scoring twice with the man advantage to knot the game at 4's.The winner would come some 30 seconds later as Victor Ferreira secures maximum points for St. Mike’s. Also scoring for St. Mike’s were Craig Stojsin, Shane Hart, Anthony Novia and Tony Medeiros.
Old rivals Mississauga Hawks and Thunder would face off next. The Hawks would play this game minus three top forwards Dave Spadea, Steve Cardoso and Charlie Giffin all out nursing nagging injuries. The Thunder eyeing the semi-final round struck twice in 13 seconds to sink the Hawks hopes as Nelson Medeiros would not be beaten on this night. Veteran sniper Glen Bradbury and Marco Goncalves with his second in as many game have the Thunder on top of division 1 with a 2-0 record.
Making the trip down from Oshawa the Bruins faced newcomers North York Leafs in their first test of the season. Their start was flat and the Leafs jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals from Greg Drohan (ex-Bruin) and Mike Steward. Having one of the top goalies in the game helps and Andrew (Chevy) Platt shut the door from there and his Bruin teammates would battle back. Bryan Cosway's shorthanded goal got the Bruins on the board and veteran and team leader Jason Toth would even up the contest and split the points with the Leafs.
The nightcap was the young Metro Orangemen vs. the veteran loaded Vaughan Jets. The Jets playing without eight regulars from 2009 came flying out of the gate and opened up a 3-1 lead. Top defencemen from the Fall Adriano Fiacconi scored twice and Fred Defina also scored and the Jets were up by two. The determination and desire of the young Orangemen team coupled by the solid goaltending by Turab Bokhari eventually lead to a 3-3 draw. Ricardo Pires with a single and Paul Lima playing like a youngster himself fires home 2 goals and the Orangemen escape with a tie.
Divisions:
| Division 1 |
|
Division 2 |
| Toronto Thunder |
|
Vaughan Jets |
| Mississauga Hawks |
|
Metro Orangemen |
| Danforth Demons |
|
Oshawa Bruins |
| St. Michael's BHC |
|
North York Leafs |
Schedule: Home team listed first
| Sat, March 13 |
5pm |
Toronto Thunder |
7 |
Danforth Demons |
2 |
| Sun, March 14 |
6pm |
Danforth Demons |
4 |
St. Michael's BHC |
5 |
| |
7pm |
Toronto Thunder |
2 |
Mississauga Hawks |
0 |
| |
8pm |
Oshawa Bruins |
2 |
North York Leafs |
2 |
| |
9pm |
Vaughan Jets |
3 |
Metro Orangemen |
3 |
| Sat, March 20 |
5pm |
Metro Orangemen |
2 |
Oshawa Bruins |
2 |
| |
6pm |
Mississauga Hawks |
0 |
St. Michael's BHC |
1 |
| Sun, March 21 |
8pm |
Vaughan Jets |
0 |
Oshawa Bruins |
3 |
| |
9pm |
Mississauga Hawks |
4 |
Danforth Demons |
4 |
| |
10pm |
Metro Orangemen |
1 |
North York Leafs |
2 |
| Sun, March 28 |
12pm |
North York Leafs |
3 |
Vaughan Jets |
1 |
| |
1pm |
St. Michael's BHC |
2 |
Toronto Thunder |
7 |
| Sun, April 11 |
1pm |
Toronto Thunder |
4 |
Oshawa Bruins |
0 |
| |
2pm |
North York Leafs |
1 |
St. Michael's |
3 |
| |
5pm |
Toronto Thunder |
2 |
St. Michael's |
0 |
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