Jason Cripps Tournament
FINALS: Friday December 30th
Eagles VS Giants
What a night!!! What an energy that rippled through the arena. It filled the stands, the benches and the ice. The Eagles were hitting the ice for the 2022 Jason Cripps Finals, against their rivals, the Giants. The Eagles had beaten the Giants once during the regular season and once in the round robin. The Giants had beaten the Eagles twice during the regular season. This was going to be one heck of a game…and you could feel it!
In the first period both teams came out hard and fast with a fire in their step. The Eagles seemed to struggle against the Giants' intensity, and found themselves playing a much more defensive game. The Giants scored 2 goals by crowding the net and banging it in.
Headed into the second period the Eagles were down by 2. After a quick first intermission chat with the coaches the boys came out with some new found energy. At 7:59 #15 Peplow scored our first goal of the game and put the Eagles on the board. Goal was assisted by #77 Godfrey and #66 Nanuti. Then again at 2:57 #66 Nanuti scored the second goal, putting us at a tie. Goal was assisted by #14 Gavin and #6 Ruth. Shortly after, #44 Ramcharan served a 2 minute penalty for body checking. Didn’t know going hard after the puck could turn into a penalty, but it did…and it wasn’t a good time for a power play. However, our boys killed the penalty and held the tie.
Heading into the third period the score was 2-2. This was again…anyone’s game! At 5:51 #66 Nanuti scored his second goal of the night and gave the Eagles the lead. Goal was assisted by #14 Gavin and #10 Pittaway. The Eagles held their lead, for as long as they could. With 3:28 left on the clock #4 Price was given a 2 minute penalty for interference. Another bogus call where intense energy attacking the puck resulted in a penalty. And again, a terrible time for a power play. But yet again, the Eagles killed the power play and held their lead. With less than a minute left in the game the Giants pulled their goalie, but unfortunately were served a 2 minute penalty for too many men on the ice, when their extra attacker jumped on too soon. With one player in the penalty box, and an empty net, the Giants tied it up with 38 seconds left on the clock, sending the game into overtime.
Overtime came with some confusion for both teams. The refs said the OT would be played in a 3 on 3 setting. With over a minute of penalty still on the board for the Giants, the Eagles went into overtime with a 3 on 2 advantage. However, the Eagles just couldn’t capitalize on the advantage. During the third shift, #23 Whalen passed the puck to #11 Bell who shot on net and then scored on his own rebound. And just like that the Eagles were THE CHAMPIONS!!!
Final Score: 4-3 Eagles
Later in the locker room #11 Bell was awarded the Hardest Worker Puck for scoring the game winning goal!!!!!
Also, #66 Nanuti was awarded Tournament MVP, by the coaches for his outstanding play through out the entire tournament. He was awarded a Gift Certificate to “Taste of Seoul”, which was donated by the owners. (Coach Jason & Jin-Hwa, his wife)
From the Stands