DRAYTON 7 FLORADALE 3
With the best-of-five ‘A’ Division championship series locked at two games a piece, both teams faced a do-or-die scenario.
Drayton opened the game with two quick goals early in the first. Scott Nieuwland scored five minutes into the game. Colton Hoekstra followed with a goal a little over a minute later, assisted by Eric Deckers, Mark Grasman, and Brent Mulder.
Drayton kept the offensive pressure going and added another goal to strengthen the lead. Jessie Hoekstra snapped a low wrist shot to send the puck into the short side corner. Eric Decker assisted.
Floradale responded late in the period. Willis Martin grabbed a rebound left by Braeden Gingerich and flicked the puck over a sprawling goaltender. Javan Martin also assisted.
Drayton answered with a goal midway in the second. Darrin Mohle beat the goaltender on the glove side with a hard shot along the ice, assisted by Decker.
A goal late in the period by Drayton gave them a strong hold on the game. Herman Mulder went high to send the puck over the goaltender’s shoulder for the goal, assisted by Aaron Keunan and Rob DeWeerd.
Floradale edged back into the game with a goal in the opening minute of the third. A blistering slap shot by Corey Wideman sent the puck to the back of the net. Assisted by Javan Martin.
Floradale added another goal midway through the period. A scramble at the net had Greg Martin slip the puck underneath the goalie pads. Javan Martin assisted.
But a powerplay late in the game gave Drayton another goal. A slap shot by Rob DeWeerd slipped the puck through the pads and Herman Mulder finished the play by pushing it over the goal line. Assisted also by Colton Hoekstra.
Drayton added one more final goal to finish the game. Darrin Mohle flicked the puck into the open corner. Assisted by Aaron Keunan and Jessie Hoekstra.
The win gives Drayton the ‘A’ Division Championship after a hard fought series.
Submitted by Willard Metzger
