LHSHL Playoffs - Round 1

Period Length

Things were looking good early for the Ice Sharks, as they got off to a hot start. They scored the first goal just 2:17 in, thanks to a nice between the legs pass back to a teammate in front of the net that resulted in a goal that went in through the Plant 5-hole, giving them an early 1-0 lead over the top-ranked JV team. The excitement didn't last long, however. Plant would put up the next 8 shots in a row, scoring the game tying goal just 30 seconds after the Riverview score on a rebound tip-in after three good saves from the Riverview goaltender. The 1-1 tie would hold for a while, as Riverview finally found some offense, getting off a couple of shots for the first time since their goal. Unfortunately it wouldn't be the Ice Sharks who would score next, as the Panthers would score on a wrister from the right faceoff circle just over halfway through the period. The 2-1 deficit for the Sharks would hold as they headed into the intermission.

The second period didn't go in favor of the Ice Sharks, despite the two teams being close in shot attempts. Three minutes in, the Riverview team found themselves on a power play thanks to a Plant holding penalty, but they weren't able to muster any shots during their man advantage. Nearly 90 seconds later Riverview would find themselves down a skater, as they would take a penalty of their own, this one for playing with a broken stick. Unfortunately the Panthers would take advantage of having an extra attacker on the ice, as they found themselves on a near breakaway play that found the puck soaring up and over the Ice Sharks goalie's shoulder, widening their lead to 3-1 with just under eight minutes remaining. The two teams would trade scoring chances throughout the rest of the period, but it was once again the Plant squad who found success. With just 40 seconds left to play, they would bury another wrister from the right faceoff circle that found it's way just over the blocker of the Riverview goaltender. That score would make it a 4-1 game, and that score would hold despite the Ice Sharks getting 20 seconds of powerplay time thanks to a Panthers roughing penalty late in the period.

The third period was time-limited to eight minutes thanks to the ice-time limit, which shortened the amount of time the Ice Sharks had to mount a comeback. Each team had powerplay opportunities early in the period, including the carryover penalty from the end of the second period. Neither team managed to find success with their chances with the man advantage, however. With a little under five minutes to play - in the game, but also possibly their season - the Riverview team pulled their goalie. With Drew in the penalty box thanks to a questionable roughing penalty, the two sides were still playing 5v5. Just 20 seconds after emptying their net, the Ice Sharks were able to find the back of the net once again, tapping in a rebound to make it a 4-2 game with plenty of time to try to extend their season. They would dominate the shots on goal over the course of the period, ultimately holding a 12-1 edge. Despite that statistical advantage, the Plant goaltender was up to the task tonight, stopping almost everything he saw. The finally tally of the game came on an empty net score that came with just over 90 seconds to play. That goal would make it a 5-2 score, and would end the Riverview Ice Sharks season.

Despite the loss, it was an enjoyable season. Way to go Ice Sharks!