Congratulations to Division Champions

Div 1 - DOA

Div 2 - Ducks

Div 3 - Zeroes

Div 4 - Avengers

Div 5 - IAG

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  CIHL Playoff Report

 

DIVISION 1

The four-time and defending Divisional 1 champion, DOA, had little trouble disposing of the much-improved Christopher Walkens team 7-2 in one semi-final game, while the vastly-improved Warriors beat the 3-time divisional champions, Team Jonathan Bauer 4-1 in the other semi-final game, setting up a classic duel between a proven champion and serious contenders for the coveted prize.

The final series proved anticlimactic as DOA proved it was not ready to relinquish its hold on the top prize, coming back from an early 2-1 deficit in the first game to win 4-2 and then skated to a comfortable 7-2 win over an under-manned, but resilient and skilful Warriors team in the second game.    It was DOA’s 5th divisional championship in 6 years.  

DIVISION 2

The surprising and talented fourth-place Speedy Business upset the defending three-peat Divisional 2 champions, Club 7310 in an exciting semi-final game that saw the undermanned defending champions fight valiantly until succumbing to exhaustion and to Speedy Business’ persistent offensive thrusts that culminated in 8 goals. The regular season runners-up, the Ducks mastered the resilient and playoff-savvy  Pen-15, 3-1,  in  the other semi final game   The Finals pitted 2 new rivals that featured 2 tie games by an identical 4-4 score- a first in CIHL playoff history- needing an overtime period in the mini-game to decide the winner.  The slick-skating, skilful Ducks in their first year in the league were full measure for the win as they came back twice in the 2 games to get a tie against the more opportunistic Speedy Business team and then got the lone goal in the mini-game overtime period to win the championship series, 3 points to one.   

DIVISION 3

The defending Champion, Team 50 were upset by the stingy Blue Ravens’ defence in a low-scoring, but highly entertaining semi final game that ended in a 2-0 score at the buzzer. In the second semi final game, the 2-time Divisional 3 champion, Zeroes, also shut out Just the Tip team by a score of 2-0 in a display of great goaltending on both sides.

The 2-time Divisional  Champion (in 2 different divisions), the  Blue Ravens (an amalgamation of the Ravens and the Blues teams of yesteryears), playing without some key players due to injuries got by the  tough and experienced opponent in the first game of the finals,  winning by the slimmest of margins, 1-0.  The longest-playing CIHL team, the   Zeroes (26 years and counting) reciprocated in the second game with an identical 2-0 score and showed greater intensity and more creative offensive plays in the opponents zone.  Both goaltenders displayed superior skills, as the winner was only decided in the overtime period of the mini-game.  The game ended in a 2-1 win giving the Zeroes 3 championship rings, and capping a glorious 20-year CIHL career with the same team for dedicated  retiree, Jean-Marc Levesseur.  The Blue Ravens also also saw one of its players, acquired from the defunct Blues Team, Mark Beasse, part company after 20+  glorious and productive  CIHL seasons with 4 different teams. Congratulations, Jean-Marc  and Mark Beasse and thank you for your long-standing commitment to the League.

DIVISION 4

The Avengers showed superior playoff form by routing  a highly skilled team in the first semi final game by a score of 6-1, while the second semi-final featured a closer contest involving the perennial regular season champion, Red Army and the playoff-savvy and long-standing Bullets team.  The talented Red Army team prevented the Bullets from making their second consecutive appearance in the Finals, with a hotly-contested 4-2 decision.

The Avengers won their first divisional-4 title with a narrow 4-3 score in the first game and a 1-1 tie in the second game to win the series 3 points to one against an opponent who regularly finds a way to the finals, but have yet to clinch a championship ring. The scores were indicative of play as both teams were led by good goaltending and a stingy defence that made the series exciting to watch.

DIVISION 5

5-time Divisional champion, IAG, beat the defending champion, Misfits by a score of 4-2 in one semi-final game, while the first-place team during the regular season, Eca Exports,  were shut out 3-0 by last year’s finalist, the Molson Maroons.

The Finals showcased some exciting moments, but the more experienced and talented IAG squad, bolstered by some key mid-season acquisitions showed why they’re a championship-caliber team for the record-breaking 6th time in its long and illustrious  history with convincing 6-1 and 3-1 scores over the up and coming playoff contender, the Molson Maroons.