FLORADALE 5 – DRAYTON 3
Drayton was in a must-win situation and started things off early. Mark Scholten and Read Shantz cycled the puck around the net to slip a pass to Joe Heenan. Heenan blasted a low shot to send the puck inside the short-side corner.
Drayton added their second goal shortly after. Scott Nieuwland started the play at the blue line. Heenan blasted a shot on net and Herman Mulder tipped the puck under the pads of the goaltender.
Floradale edged into the game midway through the period. Josh Brohman fought along the left boards and came away with the puck. Brohman crossed the blueline, split the defence and sent the puck through the five hole for the goal.
Drayton responded to rebuild the two goal spread. A low shot from the right face-off circle beat the glove of the net minder.
A 20-second lapse midway through the second period gave Floradale a quick pair of goals.
Corey Wideman threaded a shot into the short side corner and Javon Martin tied the game with a shot over the blocker, assisted by Clinton Dechert and Ryan Weber.
Floradale took the lead late in the period with a power play. Brohman set up the play and Ryan Weber sent the puck into the net with a wrist shot.
Floradale added the insurance goal midway through the third period. A leading pass by Tim Martin and the speed of Greg Martin produced a breakaway rush. Martin flew in on net and snapped the puck into the webbing with a rising wrist shot.
The win clinched the ‘A’ Division Championship, giving Floradale the Nichol Trophy, beating Drayton in the best-of-five series 3-1.
The series victory wraps up the NDCHL 2016-17 season, which also saw Bethel win the ‘B’ Division Stelco Trophy finals over Listowel.
Submitted by Willard Metzger
