NY Lions Win Gold

Game Summaries by NY Lions Captain Vinny Cericola

Game 1 Tuesday, July 6
Game 2 Thursday, July 8

The NY Lions earned their spot in the championship rounds by winning two close games against the Hornets (4-3 in overtime) and the Bombers 4-3. They were to play their perennial rivals the Blast. This would be the third time in four seasons that these teams met in the finals, and the result would be the same as in the past ... with the Lions coming out on top for their third championship in 4 seasons.

Lions vs. Blast: This series had a very different look than in the past with the Lions playing a more defensive style designed to neutralize the offensive potential of the Blast. They led the league with 109 goals in 17 games, the Lions had 98.

This strategy resulted in two hard fought, very close games where goals were hard to come by, especially with the goaltenders of both teams playing at the top of their games.

The scoring in game one opened up with a crisp pass from Charlie Mulkeen to an awaiting David Thornton, who sent it into the net to put the Lions up 1-0. Unfortunately, the game was tied with five seconds left in the second period as a shot deflected off of the pads of one of the Lions and into their net. The physical defensive play continued and the score was knotted at one until Dave Simpson scuttled up the right side and picked the top right corner. "Top shelf, where grandma hides the cookies!" The Lions sat on the lead and held the Blast off for the win.

Game two was a bit more lopsided than game one as the Lions dominated the play but were held from scoring, as the Blast's goaltending was stingy. In fact, the Blast went up 1-0 on a point shot in the second period, in which Chris Brand was screened. Not to be outdone, The Amazing Dave Simpson showed everyone how he scored in the previous night by reenacting his goal from the previous game, but somehow making it seem even more impressive.

The score was now 1-1. The Lions had the Blast on their heels for the rest of regulation, but were not able to get the puck across the goal line and secure the win. So, the game went to overtime.

Could the Lions solve the Blast goalie, or would he be able to hold on and give the Blast a chance to get to game 3?

The answer came as Charlie Mulkeen picked up the puck at the blue line and shot the puck on the ice, it careened off of the skates of two different players and crept though the legs of a befuddled Blast goalie.

The goal gave the Lions the "sudden death" overtime win and their third Championship in four seasons.

The Lions have dedicated themselves to working hard as a team and playing a disciplined game. As a result, they have become the team to beat, and they set the standard for the other teams in their division.

The NY Lions finished the season with an identical record as the Blast (15-2-0-0), but the Lions took first seed in the playoffs because they beat the Blast in their head-to-head games this season.