FLORADALE 4 – DRAYTON 1
Floradale forward Tim Freeman sprang into action recording a first-period hat trick in a span of just over two minutes.
In the opening minute of the game, Freeman took a pass from Ryan Martin along the right side face-off circle and wired a shot under the crossbar.
Two minutes later Freeman intercepted a clearing attempt, walked in on net and beat Kevin Ottens with a wrist shot. Less than 30 seconds later, Dan Martin and Ryan Martin sent Freeman to the net again. A shot over the shoulder of Ottens gave him the hat trick.
The early lead was an important surge for Floradale. They led the best-of-five Finals 2-0, before allowing Drayton back into the series. Drayton came back to win the next two games and tie the series 2-2.
Drayton fought back in game five but found the sudden hole too difficult to climb out of.
On a powerplay early in the second the puck bounced off a defenceman in the Drayton end and landed in front of Freeman standing all alone. He took a couple strides to the net and rifled a shot into the top corner.
Drayton came back in the second period. Chad Reinders and Eric Decker worked the puck deep behind the net. A pass out in front had Robyn Curry jam the puck into the short side for the goal.
Floradale held off any attempt by Drayton to get back into the game and claimed the ‘A’ Division Nichols Trophy as the league champions. Floradale goalie Jason Newton stopped 31 shots for the win.
