Google AdSense
Lumberjax Win West Division Title
Submitted by walax on Sun, 2006-04-16 07:50.
The Portland LumberJax won the West Division Title last night with their win against the Swarm at Minnesota, 13-8. The win gives Portland an 11-5 record for the season, and the Jax are riding a six-game winning streak into the playoffs. They will host the West Division semi-final game next Saturday, April 22 at 7:30p in the Rose Garden against fourth-seeded Arizona Sting. The LumberJax are the first expansion team in league history to clinch a division title.
Portland was able to claim the win with a solid performance from goaltender Matt King, who recorded 35 saves, including 24 in the second half. King held Minnesota scoreless for the final 22 minutes of the game, as the Jax turned an 8-7 deficit into a 13-8 lead with six straight goals. Mike Hominuck scored four goals and two assists in the win, and Peter Morgan had a hat-trick and three assists.
The Swarm was led by rookie Dean Hill (2 goals, 1 assist) and Kasey Beirnes (2 goals, 1 assist). Matt Disher recorded 33 saves in goal. Minnesota (8-8) earned their first-ever playoff berth last night. The Swarm will meet the top-seeded Buffalo Bandits next weekend in an East Division semi-final game at HSBC Arena.
The LumberJax will play their first playoff game against Arizona in the Rose Garden on Saturday, April 22 at 7:30pm.