Posted By: Mid-Atlantic

Monday, April 04, 2011

The "Mid-Atlantic" All-Stars came together Thursday night for some skating, pizza and Subs at the Rink at Warwick.  Then the boys were off to the Host to hotel Embassy Suites where they would rest up for 3 days, 5 games of hockey.

 

Day one started with the PAC 8 and the boys after a slow start turned on the talent switch and finished off the first of the Pool play 9-1.  After a lunch and rest that night the boys would square off against local rival GNCHC.  Playing the second game and the late game of the day the boys took care of business quickly and the results were just one goal off the morning game 8-1 win. 

 

Day one saw only 4 teams going 2-0: Team East ; MACHA-Mid America and the SECHL.  Our pool had two and we would be facing off in the morning game against the SECHL.  However with the format of :points-head to head and PIMS being tie breakers the boys were sitting in a pretty good position for making it to the semis since it was clear only those four teams would advance. 

 

Day two started off with the SECHL and it didn't take long to see that the two teams came to play.  With action back and forth the SECHL took the early lead and build on it to go into the third period with a 4-1.  Mid-way in the third the Mid-Atlantic boys took a penalty and things looked like they were getting worse, however with about half way into the kill the Mid-Atlantic scored a short handed goal to make it 4-2.  About 20 seconds later another short handed goal gets the game even closer to 4-3 with about 4 minutes left.  Those final four minutes were all in the SECHL zone. The ton of chances and few unreal saves saw Mid-Atlantic come close but not able to find the back of the net.  Coming up short 3-4 in what was no doubt the best game of the whole weekend.  With the loss, Mid-Atlantic had to play the MACHA-Mid-America team later that night with the winner of that game facing the winner the SECHL vs EAST for a chance to play in the Championship.

 

After another lunch at the "Grill" and a little rest the team would square off against  the "other " MACHA team.  The team would find a ton of posts in this game and never the back of the net and falling eventually 1-5. 

 

Day three saw all the teams (except the SECHL)  weary and "off" of their games; so the chance to have a little fun quickly came in focus.  With most of checking and speed left in the locker room the boys managed a 3 goal lead after the first.  However after a brief break between periods, the EAST found the back of the net and was down by one midway through the second when they were left with only one option.  After taking position behind their net the EAST regrouped and attacked the Mid-Atlantic boys in the "Flying V" formation only to score to tie it up.  That set up a classic third period.  To start the third the East drew up a new play with a switch of goalies and the goalie taking the face off and scoring off a great stick skill.  Not to be out done, the Mid-Atlantic boys took control of  the puck and after a quick switch up in the net, their netminder (now skater) took the puck up ice  to  the top of the East key and with the puck on its side took the famous "Knuckler" but just missed the net.  After getting both goalies back in net, the game went back and forth and with the game tied with about 20 seconds left in the gamr, the East goalie saw an empty net and took "The Shot" that found the back of the Mid-Atlantic net, to be the only goalie known in this All-Star Challenge to score!  Final score: EAST 8 Mid-Atlantic 7.   

 

Congratulations to the SECHL for winning their game and taking the Crown.

 

Thanks to all the Mid-Atlantic boys for coming, meeting the "other guys" and having a little fun.   Thanks to the staff for helping make this one a one for history books and thanks to all the parents, family and friends of Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Hockey players for coming out to support us.