Tied Top Team....Season Over

Nationals Report: March 27th: Junior Minors 4 - Mass Maple Leafs 4
The Junior Minors, still rallying from their win against the Metro Fighting Moose yesterday, played their very best hockey of the year this morning at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, MA. With the Mass. Maple Leafs average age of 20 (1988), and a 1 National ranking in Junior C hockey, the Junior Minors knew they had a daunting task ahead of them.

The goal of the EC Junior Minors was to play a strong defensive game, keeping the score low. The Maple Leafs scored first with a power play goal in the first period. Three minutes later, while on another penalty kill, Greg Walton scored a short-handed goal after being set up by Josh Stingley. The first period ended 1-1.

In the second period, the Maples Leafs once again scored first. At 5:32, John Murray (Walton) scored, tying the game 2-2. Later in the period, Jeremy Eiland snuck a pass from behind the net, and Michael Mason had a huge goal, to put the Junior Minors in the lead, 3-2.

The third period started with the EC Eagles Junior Minor fans going wild in stands. The arena was packed with people, as spectatrs had come over from other games to watch. The Maple Leafs took the ice with their arms pumping to get themselves fired up. However, the Junior Minors were more than ready. The Junior Minors had a great opportunity when they received a 5 minute power play (created when Michael Mason was tackled mid-ice by a Maple Leaf player). Storm Tremont quickly scored unassisted, and the Eagles were ahead 4-2. The Eagles took a penalty during the 5 minute power play, creating a 4 on 4 situation which the Maples Leafs took advantage of - bringing the score to 4-3. With 5 minutes remaining, the Maple Leafs tied the game 4-4 while on the power play. The third period ended with the 4-4 tie, and the game went into overtime.

The OT period was five minutes long, and the scored remained tied with 1:20 left when the Maple Leafs took a penalty (once again Michael Mason was knocked flat). The Junior Minors were unable to take advantage, the game remained 4-4 at the end of OT. Stewart Wise faces 34 shots in 65 minutes of play, and the entire team played an excellent, very defensive game - as was their goal.

After the game, the team was presented with the USA Hockey Sportsmanship Award - an award given to a single team in the tournament that exemplifies the best Sportsmanship. The award is very meaningful to the East Coast Eagles, as they are an organization that strives for Sportsmanship at such a high level all year.

In the end, the Junior Minors finished their season with this game. It was an amazing game and a great performance by our young, inaugural Junior Minor team. They may be young in age, but they showed their grit and determination during this past week. As they begin their long trip home to Raleigh, everyone in the East Coast Eagles organization, as well as all the parents and supporters, are extremely PROUD of this talented team! Way to go, Junior Minors!!