StingRays win D2 Championship
The first round of the D2 playoffs were a disappointment in regards to close games as each game was won by at least 3 goals. The first game started was between the 4th seeded Iced Out and 5th seeded Buy Caps Tix in which Iced Out controlled most of the game and got goals from Fasani (2) and Shea as well as a shutout from back up goalie Rich Smith in a 3-0 victory. The Blues Brothers had all they could handle from the Fury through 2 periods with only a 1-0. BB's scored 3 times in the 3rd for a 4-0 final on goals from defensemen, Ireland (2) Eidelkind and Podolsky (2 assists as well) and a shutout from back up goalie Long. Mantis played a strong game and picked apart Top Shelf in this 4-0 contest. Mantis had a shutout from Freudberg and goals by Skiavo(2), Haughton and Bass who also had 2 assists. In the final game of the night the top rated Stingrays dominated Group Therapy 5-1 on goals from Denny (2), Youngs (2) and Vivaritto. GT's lone goal was scored by captain King and assisted by Martin.
Round 2 had much more competitive games and tons of excitement. In the first game the defending D2 champs, Blues Brothers, faced off against Mantis. Leadston got BB's on the board first before Skiavo tied the game at 1. There was a 5-10 mist delay to the let the rink dry up before B. Wagner crashed the crease and banged in a loose ball to give Mantis the lead which they held onto behind solid D and goaltending from Freudberg. In the other game Iced Out jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the top ranked Stingrays on goals by Makuc and Shea. The 2-0 lead and victory seemed a lock before the Stingrays got a goal from Youngs with 23 seconds left with the goalie pulled and they called timeout. After getting a late icing call the Stingrays once again lit the lamp with 2 seconds remaining in the game on another goal by Youngs from Denny. The game went to OT and a goalie interference penalty against IO gave the SR's a power play where Minydzak connected from Weaver and the Stingrays stole a game and a trip to the finals.
The finals were a match up of the top 2 teams from the regular season between the Stingrays and Mantis. The Stingrays were ready to go from the opening face off and had goals from Denny and N. Bottorff for an early 2-0 lead. Denny scored again and strong goaltending from Erb gave the SR's a 3-0 lead in the 3rd period. Mantis finally got on the board in the last few minutes to make the score 3-1 but it was too little too late for Mantis. The Stingrays won the Cup and were the 8th different champion in D2 in 8 seasons so expect another new champ next season. Congrats to captain John Weaver who gladly received the D2 Cup. Congrats to playoff MVP Jacob Denny, MVF from Mantis Geremy Bass and MVG Nate Erb from the Stingrays. The regular season awards went to Brian Geraghty of the Stingrays with 11 goals and also 19 points. Mike Freudberg of Mantis led the league with a 1.00 GAA and the Stingrays Erb led the league with 6 wins. We wish Brian the best of luck in CT as well as Stingrays players Minydzak and Lillard who also left the area.
Round 2 had much more competitive games and tons of excitement. In the first game the defending D2 champs, Blues Brothers, faced off against Mantis. Leadston got BB's on the board first before Skiavo tied the game at 1. There was a 5-10 mist delay to the let the rink dry up before B. Wagner crashed the crease and banged in a loose ball to give Mantis the lead which they held onto behind solid D and goaltending from Freudberg. In the other game Iced Out jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the top ranked Stingrays on goals by Makuc and Shea. The 2-0 lead and victory seemed a lock before the Stingrays got a goal from Youngs with 23 seconds left with the goalie pulled and they called timeout. After getting a late icing call the Stingrays once again lit the lamp with 2 seconds remaining in the game on another goal by Youngs from Denny. The game went to OT and a goalie interference penalty against IO gave the SR's a power play where Minydzak connected from Weaver and the Stingrays stole a game and a trip to the finals.
The finals were a match up of the top 2 teams from the regular season between the Stingrays and Mantis. The Stingrays were ready to go from the opening face off and had goals from Denny and N. Bottorff for an early 2-0 lead. Denny scored again and strong goaltending from Erb gave the SR's a 3-0 lead in the 3rd period. Mantis finally got on the board in the last few minutes to make the score 3-1 but it was too little too late for Mantis. The Stingrays won the Cup and were the 8th different champion in D2 in 8 seasons so expect another new champ next season. Congrats to captain John Weaver who gladly received the D2 Cup. Congrats to playoff MVP Jacob Denny, MVF from Mantis Geremy Bass and MVG Nate Erb from the Stingrays. The regular season awards went to Brian Geraghty of the Stingrays with 11 goals and also 19 points. Mike Freudberg of Mantis led the league with a 1.00 GAA and the Stingrays Erb led the league with 6 wins. We wish Brian the best of luck in CT as well as Stingrays players Minydzak and Lillard who also left the area.
