Hockey Central

SCIHL Division 3 - Week 14 Game Summries

Friday, 3 March 2023

Race to the end

After losing the week before, Both the Unicorns and Lion Rock were facing a must win situation to remain in the playoff hunt.

Lion Rock was again missing their star goalie, but their lineup included their new roster freeze pickups in John Ng and Otto Chan hoping to turn the tide, while Unicorns continued to roll with their existing line-up.

It was scoreless after 1 period as both teams played an even, but tense defensive minded game. This continued in the second period until Andrew Rueger broke the deadlock with 3 minutes remaining in the period on a beautiful solo effort after intercepting a breakout pass and making no mistake on Sumi Chau (LPP). As the period was winding down and the Unicorns cycling away in the corner, Justin Wong made a pass to Art Tam coming in from the point, who then fired a slap shot past a screened Chau. 2-0 after 2 periods.

The 3rd was more wide-open as both teams traded chances, but both goalies stood their ground. Sally Lau finished off the game, and Lion Rock, with an empty netter to complete the scoring.

Sumi Chau (LPP) played well Lion Rock, standing in for Izumida Koji, while Bernard Lam was solid in his shutout win. Chau faced 21 shots while Lam faced 18.

The loss eliminates Lion Rock from playoff contention, while the Unicorns stay in the hunt to chase down HoiHoi for the final playoff spot.

Burger Joy’s Three Stars:
1. Bernard Lam (Unicorns)
2. Andrew Rueger (Unicorns)
3. Arthur Tam (Unicorns)

WWF body slam

Asiaxpat came into this game looking to maintain the pressure on Homely and take over first overall heading into playoffs. A win would have them take over first ahead of the HMY game tonight.

And Asiaxpat came out flying. Before Rob Chiu even made the ice, they were up 1-0, David Finifter scoring the first goal. Just 4 minutes later, Michael Wong scored his first of the evening, assisted by Jim Wong and Finifter. Anthony Luk chipped in with a goal off the right side before Josh Steinhaus was able to reply for HoiHoi. Jim Wong and John Ng (LPP) exchanged goals before the period ended, both teams combining for 6 goals, but Asiaxpat taking a 4-2 lead after one.

Things were a bit more defensive in the 2nd, but Michael Wong completed his hattrick for the only 2 goals of the 2nd period. 6-2 Asiaxpat.

HoiHoi mounted a bit of a comeback in the 3rd. They scored 2 goals in the opening 2 minutes from Donald Chow (LPP) and Hamish Pang to close it up to 6-4 before Eugene Wong responded less than a minute later to drown out any glimmer of hope HoiHoi had left.

Michael Wong finished another dominate shift from the WWF line, before Hamish Pang rounded out the scoring with a powerplay goal.

The WWF line were all over the scoresheet tonight as they combined for 16 points as Asiaxpat body slammed HoiHoi in a 8-5 win.

Kirsten Rendell faced 22 shots while Kierra Mok faced 29.

Burger Joy’s Three Stars:
1. Michael Wong (Asiaxpat)
2. Jim Wong (Asiaxpat)
3. David Finifter (Asiaxpat)

Last minute heroics

The final game of the night put Taboo Devils who were on a 5-game win streak against first overall Homely Sportswear.

Red hot Bryan Leung opened the scoring after Tim Poon dug the puck out of the corner, passed to Leon Mo, who then setup Leung. Homely tied it up just a few minutes later on the powerplay when Alan Lui slotted in a loose puck to tie it at 1.

The teams traded chances thru the rest of the first and second periods, but both Edward Lee and Anthony Fiscella were solid as we headed 1-1 into the third period.

The teams exchanged goals between Leon Mo and Paul Chai until 2:18 left when Tim Poon broke the tie just as everyone was expecting the game to go into overtime. 3-2 with 2:18 left. HMY pulled their goalie in the last minute and Gavino Ng skated up the middle and fired a shot from the high slot past a startled Lee tying the game with 32 seconds remaining. On the ensuing faceoff that Taboo won back, there was a collision at the line leaving Warren Ang alone in front of Lee and scoring the game-winner with just 18 seconds remaining giving HMY the win.

Edward Lee faced 21 shots while Anthony Fiscella faced 22.

Taboo remains solidly in 3rd position, while HMY maintains a slender 1-point lead over Asiaxpat for 1st overall and a chance to play the last team to secure a playoff spot.

Burger Joy’s Three Stars:
1. Warren Ang (Homely Sportswear)
2. Bryan Leung (Taboo Devils)
3. Paul Chai (Homely Sportswear)

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