(vol.
19S, no. 10; newsletter by c.g.)
The Coastal Pirates defended their Sunday night championship with an exclamation point, by beating the Wave 7-1. While I would never want to disparage another team's efforts, the Pirates were just too much for the Wave to handle. We have certainly been on the losing end of several such games, and while they gave it their all, this time around the Pirates were just too much for them. Scott LeMatty scored the first-ever hattrick by a Pirate in the Finals with a trio of second half goals. Kevin had two goals and two assists for a four-point evening. The defense was stingy as usual, and Harris played solid to keep the Wave from mounting any real threat.
The 1st half began slowly as both teams tried to mount pressure, but couldn't find the net. Kevin and #19 would combine for three tallies in the opening period to get the Pirates on the board. On the first goal, #19 fed Kevin at the point for the one-time blast on the powerplay. Next Kevin picked-up a puck in the defensive zone, and carried it in alone for the unassisted goal. With only a few minutes to play in the half, Kevin broke away for a 2-on-1 with #19, and made a perfect pass for the easy tap in — and the 3-0 lead at the half. The Pirates were generating alot of offense, (LeMatty hit the post twice, foreshadowing his big second half). Defensively the Pirate's blanketed the Wave, as they easily turned aside the oncoming rushes, with the Waves only real pressure coming from above the circles; Harris was able to easily keep those types of chances out of the net, and it looked like it might be an easy night for the Pirates.
However, less 1:00 minute into the 2nd half the Wave would strike back, as they were able to score on a botched play; Harris made the initial save, and steered the puck clear of the crease, but after Keith attempted to clear the puck it bounced off of Ralz' skate onto a Wave player's stick for the easy goal. That would be the last time the Wave even got close though, as LeMatty, Russ, and Dan would rip off the next three goals. The first one Scott took the length of the ice by himself. On the next play, Russ got a pass on the left side of the net, and could have gotten off a good shot, but instead passed the puck across the slot for the set-up to Scott instead. Dan would get in on the action when he centered a puck to Scott after a nice battle in the corner. Lastly, Mike Farrell put the finishing touches on the scoring when he blasted one from the point after a laser pass across from Kevin. Once again the defense was stellar as the foursome of Keith, Mike, Scooby and Kevin smothered the Waves offense.
For the first time in Pirate history, both teams successfully defended Championships in the same season — a feat that can only be topped by the three-peat. That, however is a long way away, and the competition will surely be gunning for us this season. But until then, victory remains sweet. Congratulations to all.
