FHL FINALS : THE REMATCH

FR NTYARD CUP FINALS

    The FHL  had the most to improve in the parity category with this years RESET and that it did … in spades. The new changes were a plenty and the parity of this seasons frontyard competition was both entertaining and competitive. The one thing that endured the changes and remained completely intact from the affiliate leagues Inaugural Season … The Sauce / Coqs rivalry, and boy are we happy it has !

     To put in into perspective: these 2 teams have met 6 times in the FHL regular season with each team winning 3 in the process and are dead even on Goal differential. In fact, until this season, neither team had even suffered a loss to anyone other than each other.  In the playoffs, Sauce holds the edge 3-2 steming from the Inaugural Frontyard Cup Final. In last year’s final, these two clubs went the distance of 5 games, with all 5 games separated by 1 goal and three of the contests reached OT including the cup clinching game which stood as the longest game in Hockey House history until it was broken in this years playoff semi final eliminator. That elimination game landed the Sauce back into a position to search for a repeat championship and retain the title of Sole FHL Champions in the history of the FHL.

(1)         V       (3)

SAUCE

Ravil Gabaydullin         Tyler Ireton              Kyle Kaliniak

Logan Hansen             Chris Kelly                 Blake Moyle

      Ryan Coe             Daniel Swanson        Alex Salisbury

Brian Grove                  Mark Tucker

Stephen Harris             Melanie Glew

Dave Tallot                  Sophie Harold

In Net:     Russell Black

FHL Reserve(s): Tom Joseph & Brent Parker

3 Keys  for  SAUCE  to win:

1.         FOLLOW THE LEADERS : Captains Tyler Ireton & Kyle Kaliniak MUST lead the offensive attack and find the net as they did in the regular season

2.         RELY On RUSTY : In the absence of Ice Fernz Goaltender Tabitha Crump, The green and gold affiliate club will pin its hopes for a repeat title on the shoulders of FHL Back-Up Netminder  Russell  “Rusty”  Black

3.         COMEBACK KINGS : The Sauce have now become known for coming from behind in close games and sneaking out wins they had no business winning … The trait of a playoff team that is envied by all must continue in what is likely to be another down to the wire series.

LES COQS

Joel Den Hartog     Daniel Hefford      Josh Den Hartog

Kieran Wilson         Simon Smith              Ben Foyle

Lawrie Hughes          Flynn Hertzke        Mike Linehan

Jordan Kelly-Houston                  Jeremy Parker

                    Steve Foster                                John Kelly

                  James Cunningham                     Simon Lockie  

                                     In Net:     Paul Korczak

FHL Reserve(s): Leon Tabb & Alex Bouwman

3 Keys  for  LES COQS  to win:

1.         Heff & the 3 Initial Boys : Daniel Hefford has been on fire in the playoffs burying 25% of the teams goals. Jordan Kelly-Houston & Josh Den Hartog and his brother Joel have accounted  for 1/3 of the offensive output. This trend must continue in order for the Roosters to get the monkey off their back and lifte the cup.

2.         Paulie In the Pipes : Les Coqs Goaltender Gaston Bruneau was dealt a season ending suspension back in December. The Roosters hit the trail and signed American-born Paul Korczak. Since his arrival in the blue paint he has posted the  leagues 2^nd best GAA at 2.33 and leads the league with 3 shutouts. If he can show up against the league most potent offence, that will be all she wrote.

3.         RESERVES & VETERANS : Les Coqs have plenty of youth, but it could be the Older generation that has a bigger impact in this series. Captain Jeremy Parker has dominated the opening rounds on the blueline while the forcheck and pressure applied by the likes of Kieran Wilson and Ben Foyle have been incredibly effective in their own right. The Rooster have the advantage in the reserve department as both FHL Resrves will be available while the Sauce do not have that luxury with both teams qualifying for the Finals in their respective leagues.

FHL FINALS SCHEDULE :

FRONTYARD CUP FINAL - Game 1
PO	Tue, Mar. 13	9:15P	SAUCE		LES COQS		Avondale Square Gardens
FRONTYARD CUP FINALS - Game 2
PO	Thu, Mar. 15	8:00P	SAUCE		LES COQS		Avondale Square Gardens
FRONTYARD CUP FINAL - Game 3
PO	Tue, Mar. 20	9:30P	SAUCE		LES COQS		Avondale Square Gardens
FRONTYARD CUP FINAL - Game 4 *If Needed
PO	Thu, Mar. 22	8:00P	SAUCE		LES COQS		Avondale Square Gardens
FRONTYARD CUP FINAL - Game 5 *If Needed
PO	Thu, Mar. 29	7:45P	SAUCE		LES COQS		Avondale Square Gardens