Craziness, Parity and some Overtime!!!

From the lightest week to the busiest….and what a week it was!!!  More “upsets” have left room for all sorts of scenarios coming down the final stretch.  Can two Bainbridge programs finish undefeated?  Could Division 1 see three new playoff teams compared to 2001?  Could a team that went winless a year ago make the playoffs?  Stay tuned…

Highlights 

DIVISION 1

·        Two more wins…Bainbridge is 10-0…clinched playoff birth…yawn…If not for the Spartans the league would be wide open.  Unfortunately for the rest of Division 1, the craziness doesn’t begin until after Bainbridge

·        The best game of the week took place on Mercer Island.  Bellevue continued its storied season with an improbable comeback and an eventual 9-8 overtime thriller.  The game was back and forth and tight throughout.  Both keepers played great making several stellar saves each.  After Bellevue held a 3-2 lead, the Islanders went on a 4-1 run to take a 6-4 lead entering the 4^th.  A stick penalty on Bellevue’s Young looked to spell doom for the Wolverines.  The Islanders quickly capitalized and took a 7-4 advantage.  No team had been ahead by more than two all day and it seemed unthinkable Bellevue had the time to pull back.  Yet, they did just that, storming back with four unanswered goals to take an 8-7 lead with about two minutes left.  Mercer responded though.  Luke Larson split two defenders and lunged to the cage, sticking it and knotting the game at 8.  Both teams had additional chances to win in regulation, but score remained 8-8.  In OT, Mercer had the first possession on offense.  Bellevue tried to shut off Larson and got caught holding.  However, Larson unwisely retaliated.  The result was 5v5 for 30 seconds and then Bellevue was man up.  As Bellevue’s man was released from the box, Young initiated a dodge and looked to feed cross crease.  The ball hit the ground, Brandon Deal recovered and fed sophomore Joel Weber who rifled a low, left handed shot that found the back of the net.  Great Ball Game!!!

·        Two more wins for Maple Valley as well.  So much for the preseason idea that wins would be harder to come by for the Vandals in 2002.  They have already equaled their total from a year ago and one more win will most likely clinch a playoff spot.

Note: Port Angeles has posted a number of great lax pics on their website: Click Here

·        D1 PLAYOFF PICTURE: 

Bainbridge- clinched birth, most likely #1 seed

            Maple Valley- tough schedule to finish, all 4 opponents still in playoff hunt at this point, still a shot at #2 seed

            Bellevue- if they win 3 of last 4 will most likely finish #2, slightly easier remaining schedule than Maple Valley

            Mercer Island- MI is reeling a bit, but are 3-2 against remaining opponents, 3-2 to finish should clinch berth

            Port Angeles- 2 w/Overlake helps, but Riders need to knock off MI and Bellevue or MV to have real shot

            Lakeside- not out yet, but needs to win out and needs a lot of help

DIVISION 2

·        Not quite as dominant, but undefeated still the same, Bainbridge’s other squad clinched a playoff birth as well.  Once again the Spartans shut down the Panthers in a 7-5 win.  The Panthers were coming off an impressive win over Division 1 stalwart Bellevue, but couldn’t put it together against nemesis Bainbridge.

·        The biggest win in Division 2 this week came thanks to the Roughriders.  After scoring only one goal in an early season match up, this time saw an 8 point outburst in a two goal victory over Eastside.  The win has left the Roughriders with a great chance to make the playoffs. 

·        Franklin narrowly escaped an upset at the hands of Vashon, but they now sit at 6-3.  However, Franklin’s final three games are against its three toughest opponents.  The Quakers have proved vulnerable at times this season and can’t afford a slip up.  If they expect to make the playoffs, they must at least win one of the final three.  Otherwise they will rely on teams below them losing their remaining games. 

·        D2 PLAYOFF PICTURE:

Bainbridge- clinched birth, most likely #1 seed barring complete meltdown

Panthers- Vashon and Maple Valley next, most likely #2

Franklin- Eastside and Roughriders win out + Franklin lose the remaining 3 = elimination, need a win to clinch

Eastside- currently in 4^th, but may need an upset to avoid elimination, finish with top 3 teams

Roughriders- finish with Vashon and Maple Valley, even if they lose next game to Bainbridge could make

playoffs if they win final two and Eastside loses last three…very possible

DIVISION 3

·        In case anyone was confused….Curtis is number one in Division 3!

The Vikings made an emphatic statement to that point this week.  They didn’t just beat Issaquah, they dismantled and demolished the other previously unbeaten team.  Gibbon and Anderson accounted for 13 of the 17 goals in the drubbing. 

·        Congratulations to Coach Hawley and his players at Kitsap on win #1.  The win has been long overdue as the Pioneers are a much better team then their record reflects.  Despite being 1-5, Kitsap has been close in every game and never lost by more than 4.  Once again, Victor Rybachuk led the way with 5g,1a in the 8-4 win over Garfield.  Goalie Ryan Reinke was also a huge difference stopping 16 of 20 shots.

·        Port Angeles picked up two more wins and seem spent on proving that the 2^nd best team just might be in the same division as the Vikings.  The Riders only loss came in an early season defeat to Curtis.

·        D3 PLAYOFF PICTURE:

West:   Curtis- still undefeated, Port Angeles only one with shot at knocking them from #1

            Port Angeles- 5-1 and most likely #2

East:     Issaquah- still first in the east, 2 games up on Snohomish  

                  Snohomish- above .500, but two games behind Issaquah, still shot at #1 seed in East though

Top Performers

Andy Young’s 3g,2a and Brandon Deal’s 3g,1a certainly helped Bellevue defeat Mercer Island.  However, it was Stanley’s performance in net that allowed the Wolverines to stay close, claw back and eventually win in overtime.  Stanley finished with 19 saves on 27 shots, several from close range as he stood tall.

Gottlieb had a breakout game this week and it almost helped pull off a big upset.  Armand had not scored more than 2 points in a game all season.  His season totals sat at 7g, 1a on the season.  Then against Lakeside he erupted for a double hat-trick, 6 goal performance!  The Raiders took the Lions to double overtime before bowing out, but Gottlieb certainly did his part.  The season has been a struggle for the Raiders, but Armand appears to be a future bright spot.

Trevor’s big week helped his team clinch a playoff birth and moved him into 2^nd place in the Division 2 scoring charts.  Charles notched a 4g,3a performance over Maple Valley and then added 2g in a big win over the Panthers.  Trevor jumped over teammate Neal Bateman and sits in 2^nd in all four scoring categories (goals, assists, points, points/game).

Games to Watch

Islanders need to get back on track.  Riders need this one if they hope to make a playoff push.

A Lakeside loss and they are done.  Bellevue wants to finish #2!

Islanders looking for revenge.  Vandals looking to keep pace with Bellevue.

·        5/3       Issaquah @ Port Angeles C

If playoffs started today, this would be a semi-final match up.

Eastside needs this one as the closely trailing Roughriders already have a win over Franklin.

Depending on earlier week results this one could be huge.  Port Angeles won the 1^st time around.

Up to Date Stats:

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