DRAYTON 7 – FLORADALE 0
With the final play-off series tied 1-1 both teams were eager to claim this game. But it was Drayton who produced a convincing win to take the lead.
Drayton opened the scoring early in the first period. Scott VanOostveen carried the puck to the net and left it there for Dave Mulder. Mulder snapped a low shot that fooled netminder Jason Newton for the goal.
Drayton added another goal late in the period. Rob DeWeerd collected a clearing attempt at the Floradale blue line. DeWeerd circled into the zone, side stepped a defenceman and snapped a wrist shot past the blocker of Newton.
Good forechecking by Drayton earned them another goal in the final minutes of the first period. VanOostveen gained control of a loose puck, cut in front of the net and knifed a backhander over a fallen netminder to score.
Drayton outshot Floradale 16 to 5 after the first period of play.
Floradale slowed Drayton down for most of the second period but then gave up a pair of goals in the final minute.
Mark Timmerman and Pat Landman set up Mike DeWeerd in the slot. A quick shot along the ice gave DeWeerd the powerplay goal.
Seconds later Robyn Curry and Scott VanOostveen started a rush down the ice. Rob DeWeerd took the pass and snapped a rising wrist shot into the net.
Drayton finished the game with a solid third period adding another goal at the midway point. Scott VanOostveen intercepted a clearing attempt and blasted a slap shot over the glove of Newton.
Drayton added a final goal with a scramble at the net. Robyn Curry slipped the puck to Rob DeWeerd who snapped a shot into the open corner.
Kevin Ottens turned away 23 shots for the shut out and gave Drayton a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five Nichols Finals.
BETHEL 4 – MISSIONARY 1
Bethel grabbed the only goal in the first period. MacKenzie Bauman sent Brandon Shoemaker skating down the middle of the ice. Shoemaker went to the net and sent a high wrist shot over the shoulder of netminder Grant Brubacher.
Missionary tied the game midway through the second period with a powerplay. Bryan Deen and Steve Slot created a scramble at the net and Dave Scholten snapped a low shot into the corner for the goal.
Bethel regained the lead in the final minute of the period. Brock Shoemaker stepped into a loose puck and skated it to the net. A low backhander along the ice slipped the puck under the pads.
Bethel added to their lead midway through the third. Brandon Shoemaker won the face-off to the left of the Missionary net. A quick side step and Shoemaker blasted a high shot into the opposite corner.
Bethel added one more to put the game away. Mike Veens and Brandon Wideman set up MacKenzie Bauman for a tip-in that sent the puck underneath the crossbar.
The victory saw Bethel win the B Division Stelco Finals 2-0.
