Hockey Central

SCIHL Division 3 - Week 15 Game Summaries

Friday, 10 March 2023

Presidents Trophy

With both Asiaxpat and Taboo Devils having secured a spot in the semis, the only question was whether Asiaxpat could win and put pressure on Homely to stay in first place. The spectators on the other hand were looking at this as potentially the semi-final playoff preview since if the standings didn’t change, this would be the matchup pitting the highflying WWF line from Asiaxpat against the balanced scoring power of Taboo.

And the fans were not disappointed as the 2 teams combined for 6 goals in the first period. The WWF line’s David Finifter striking just 48 seconds into the game, only to have Bryan Leung (on his own multi-game scoring streak) replay just over a minute later. Xpat then score the next 3 goals, Finifter with his 2nd, Jim Wong scoring instead of being the playmaker for once, and Anthony Luk also scoring before Randy Lau from Taboo responding in the last minute of the 1st. 4-2 after 1 period.

Unfortunately for the fans, the 2nd period could not keep up with the pace in the first as both teams started playing more defensively and although Taboo had numerous scoring chances, they were unable to put one Kiera Mok. The only goal in the 2nd went to Neil Ng giving Xpat a 5-2 lead after 2.

This continued in the 3rd and Taboo’s Kenny Chiu was the only one able to score, but with 2 minutes left as Asiaxpat were able to hold on and take over first place.

Kiera Mok faced 21 shots while Edward Lee faced 22.

The win for Asiaxpat and the subsequent loss by Homely this evening allows Asiaxpat to leapfrog HMY and take first overall for the regular season and a semifinal matchup with the Unicorns. Taboo remains in 3rd and will face Homely Sportswear in the other semifinal.

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

Falling Just Short of First

With Asiaxpat winning their game, Homely Sportswear needed to win their game against last place Lion Rock Hockey who were out to play spoiler. A tie was not going to be enough as Asiaxpat held the 2-1 season head-to-head record against HMY. However, they needed to do it without their top scorer Donald Chow.

The first period was a surprisingly tight defensive affair with both teams limiting shots on net even though there were a few close opportunities for Homely to open the scoring only to hit a leg or side of the net. At the end, Homely only got 4 shots on goal, while Lion Rock similarly had 3.

This continued thru the second until Lion Rock broke the deadlock on the powerplay Mark Pavey firing one past a screened Fiscella. Paul Chai finally broke thru scoring one on Sumi Chau (LPP) to even it up at 1 after 2 periods.

Early in the 3rd, Bruce "I’m not a goal scorer" Hicks, finished close in around the net after good work from Boyce Wong (LPP) and Jasper Chow got in close and the ensuing rebound was gobbled up. It was again Paul Chai urging his team on and coming up with his second of the night just over a minute after to even it up again. It was looking like we were headed to overtime until John Ng finished another scramble in front of the net giving Lion Rock the lead with just over a minute remaining. Homely tried to press but the strong defense of Lion Rock prevented them from getting the equalizer.

Sumi Chau (LPP) faced 16 shots while Anthony Fiscella faced 13. The loss for Homely means they finally lose the grip on first overall after holding it for months and sets up a semifinal against Taboo Devils.

Burger Joy’s Three Stars:
1. John Ng (Lion Rock Hockey)
2. Paul Chai (Homely Sportswear)
3. Bruce Hicks (Lion Rock Hockey)

Everything on the line

It came down to the last game between HoiHoi and Unicorns to decide the final playoff spot. The teams were tied in points and head-to-head games heading into the last regular season game and the winner would have the chance to take on Asiaxpat in the semis.

Just 1:24 into the game, some hard work from Tracy Wong behind the net to win the puck and then give a beautiful pass to Andrew Rueger, who then banged one past Rendell in close to open the scoring just over a minute into the game set the tone for the game as the Unicorns played a tight-checking game thru the game to negate HoiHoi’s top scoring threat Hamish Pang who is 4th in league scoring.

Time and again, the Unicorns double-teamed Pang to minimize his chances on net. Unicorns were rewarded with a 2nd goal near the end of the first after taking an interference penalty when Kenyon Tse slotted one by Rendell to make it 2-0. HoiHoi had a chance to claw a goal back when the Unicorns were shorthanded
4 minutes, but HoiHoi were unable to setup any sustained powerplay time. 2-0 after 1.

The tight-checking affair continued thru the 2nd period until Justin Wong following up on the play came away with a partial breakaway to deke and then put one just over the pad of Rendell to give the Unicorns a 3-goal advantage with a period and a half to go.

In the 3rd, HoiHoi finally got on the board on another powerplay opportunity after the Unicorns were unable to get the puck out of their own zone. A lucky bounce from behind the net off Pang’s skate bounced off Bernard Lam’s skate and into the short side to give them some life just 2 minutes into the 3rd. 3-1 for Unicorns at this stage. With the season on the line, HoiHoi pressed hard and carried the remaining play in the 3rd as the Unicorns were happy to sit back and run the clock.

However, as the defense tired, Pang was getting more and more opportunities with 5 breakaways/semi-breakaways alone in the 3rd period but was facing a brick wall in Lam keeping the Unicorns ahead. Justin Wong got his 2nd of the night in between the onslaught after an errant pass resulted in a 3 on 1.

HoiHoi outshot Unicorns 13-5 in the 3rd including Pang’s but were unable to close the gap. Bernard Lam faced 19 shots while Kirsten Rendell faced 20 on the night.

With the win, the Unicorns take on top-seeded Asiaxpat in the semis.

Burger Joy’s Three Stars:
1. Justin Wong (Unicorns)
2. Bernard Lam (Unicorns)
3. Kenyon Tse (Unicorns)

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