Congratulations to Retribution in capturing the 2015-2016 Freddy Ball Hockey Championship, in a series with worthy opponents Slashing Pumpkins.
The finals were the lowest scoring finals in FBHL history. Both games zipped by and were almost half complete before goals were scored. Matt played heroically on the foot he badly injured the previous Sunday and James Campbell was playing on a tweaked ankle as well.
Game one’s first goal was a long rifled shot by Ray. Slashing Pumpkins responded with a patented Matt Vautour blast to top shelf. The winner for Retribution was a trickler that snuck in behind Brandon, just over the line. Slashing Pumpkins pulled the goalie and peppered Retribution’s Rick Kent in net but they held. Both goalies were superb in game 1.
Game two started much like game one. The Pumpkins had some of the better chances with Rick Kent making some big saves on Jon Stewart and Rick Bartlett early. Black got up 2-0 with captain Marc Guitard notching what would proved to be the game and series winner. Slashing Pumpkins captain James Campbell scored on a pass from Richard K. to pull within 1 goal with a little over 2 minutes left, but Black got a late goal from “Rocket” Ray Chase to seal a 3-1 victory.
While the gameplay/action was intense, it was a decent game with no serious incidents, outside of Marc Guitard getting DRENCHED in COFFEE. Using craft and deft “Marcs|”manship Slashing Pumpkins captain attempted to derail his counterpart by ‘clearing a ball’ into a spectator’s coffee as he sat beside Guitard. The ensuing caffeinated cyclone distracted all but the Ricks…Bartlett making a great shot on the net, and Kent an equal to the task save.
Both teams are to be congratulated for a memorable finals that captured the spirit of good competition and sportsmanship. Hey… It’s noteworthy that afterwords members from both teams enjoyed refreshments at the Winner’s Lounge afterwards.
Well done, Lads!
