Hands weren’t wrung, nails weren’t bitten, entire seats in the stands (not just the edges) were utilized, and I would be a bit surprised if much of a sweat was even broken, as the much-anticipated showdown between the two seeds at the top sadly lacked much real snap, crackle, or pop. Captain Zach Salt put the top dogs on top early in the first, and Cory Samuels netted the game-winner early in the second, but the night belonged to Luke Wolmer and Alex Theis. Wolmer assisted on Samuels’ strike, then added two of his own to put the game out of reach in the third. Alex Theis (25/26) has been keeping wins out of reach for teams all season, and he was all the shades of solid to spectacular that we’ve come to expect, in spite of Green outshooting Purple in vain by a count of 26 to 14. Zach Siemer did the only damage to Theis’ sheet, but the wind was well out of the challenger’s sails by that point, and ‘Purple Reign’ went on to a 4-1 win. Purple can now enjoy a week off, already perched in place in the Final, while Green is forced to find redemption in the repechage (flexing my rowing lingo, y’all). I’m not a betting man (OK…I actually really am), but I can’t see any team beating Purple back-to-back to snatch their crown. Whoever makes their way to that point better hope they catch Theis on a bad day…assuming he actually has those…
The middle game had a bit more meat on the bone, as the lowest remaining seeds battled to the (playoff) death. Josh Wirt put White in the lead early in the second, but ‘The Herrmannator’ was quick with a short-handed response. Paul Bright picked a perfect time to score his first career SDFHL goal (CONGRATULATIONS!) to make it 2-1 White, but Eric Herrmann answered back again to knot it at two apiece. Gary Peters was in the box for Herrmann’s short handed strike, and he provided the lone assist on the second, but would take matters into his own hands in the third. He potted the game-winner in the early going, and sealed the (already done) deal with an empty-netter with one second remaining. Herrmann assisted on both of those goals, capping a 2 and 2 night, while Cory Brin (24/26) returned to form in time to push his team forward in the playoff picture with a 4-2 victory. Don Tran (20/23) took the loss, and that loss meant the end of the line for Captain Wirth’s hot and cold White side. Orange will need two bowls of Wheaties this Sunday morning. Should they find their way past Pink, they will need to rally their tired legs, and find a way to overcome a rested and ready Green team.
The Week Three gods saved the best for last, as #3 Red faced off against #4 Pink. Jon Salt had Red in front early (with help from Jeannine Stuzka and Min-Soo Smith), and Joe Nguyen accounted for the lone goal in the second to set up a winner-take-all final frame. It was Salt again to give Red the edge at 4:07 in the third, and the clock was steadily ticking away Pink’s hopes of survival. Incredibly, with just twenty-four of those ticks remaining, Carl Vankoughnett found the equalizer, saving Pink’s season, and stunning Captain Janet’s crew. Jim LaGrossa (reportedly) hit the crossbar with seconds remaining…a few inches lower, and this game would have entered league lore for most shocking and surreal comeback regulation win. Extra time produced no winner, although Red continued to build on their impressive shot advantage…they ultimately had nothing to show for it but a 30-13 ‘win’ in that department. For the first time in this playoff season, it was on to the shootout! LaGrossa found pay dirt in the leadoff spot, and Salt found only frustration. Joe Nguyen and Jon Zygleman traded blanks, and neither Carl Vankoughnett, nor Min-Soo Smith could convert. Andrew Wong failed to score in the fourth slot for Pink, but Vance Morra found a sliver of space in Sean Kelly’s armor to even the ledger at 1-1. Maureen Ruchhoeft missed on her attempt, and then Jeannine Stuzka stepped to center court, DID A FUCKING CARTWHEEL, then…also missed on her attempt (kudos for the entertainment value, Neaners!). LaGrossa…so hot right now, LaGrossa…he converted AGAIN to put the pressure back on Salt, and Salt could not solve Da Kid…game over, 3-2 Pink over Red in a shootout. Wow…THAT is what I am talking about, people! Red are resigned to the playoff roadside with the rest of us losers, while Pink prime themselves for a potential double header this Sunday. If they get past those pesky bottom seeds, Orange, they will need to muster the energy to overcome Green. It will be hard to top this game, but here’s hoping for two great games this Sunday…