Feb 28, 2012 | Walter Palermo | 1573 views
Bantam Rep Eliminate Dorchester in Quarter Finals
The Tillsonburg Oxford Sports Bantams put themselves into a huge hole
losing last Wednesday at home 4-2 to the favored Dorchester
Dragons. Heading into their Thursday game in Dorchester down 4 points
to 2 the Tornadoes stared elimination in the face for the second
straight series.
Tillsonburg showed their incredible resolve as they jumped out to a four goal lead shocking the Dragons and their fans. Thomas Laur, Braden Hutchison, Michael Scott and Grayden Sinden found the back of the net all before the horn sounded to end the first. Unfortunately for the Tornadoes their momentum was derailed by penalty trouble which allowed the Dragons to get back into the game. Up 4-2 going into the third, Tillsonburg tried to defend their lead with a stingy defensive style. A quick strike off an offensive faceoff cut the lead to one goal. A nervous crowd of Tillsonburg supporters anxiously watched as Dorchester crashed the net repeatedly. Brody Long made some heroic saves to preserve the lead and Reese Battin made a terrific stick check to thwart a possible end of the game breakaway. Coach, Drew Sinden, was impressed that his team was able to keep themselves focused when the calls started going the home team's way. It's tough enough to play these guys even strength but to play a man short for long stretches is a recipe for disaster said Sinden. We will have to be more disciplined if we hope to move on. The 4-3 win for Tillsonburg created a winner take all game 5. Game 5 was the tightest checking game of the series with Tillsonburg goalie Brody Long and Dorchester's Adam Zimmer stealing the show. Part way through the second, Grayden Sinden won the draw in Tillsonburg's end to Michael Scott who played a perfect feed to a streaking Braden Hutchison and he made no mistake burying his shot five hole for a one goal lead. Minutes later on the powerplay Dorchester leveled the score on a tipped point shot that fooled the Tillsonburg keeper. Both teams came out in the third playing cautiously. There were good chances at each end but stingy defense and great goaltending kept things knotted at one at the end of regulation. With both teams seasons on the line and neither team willing to give an inch this game was likely come down to a lucky bounce or good break. With just over three minutes remaining Thomas Laur muscled his way into the Dorchester zone and rifled a low wrist shot just wide, the ensuing bounce off the boards came right to a driving Austin Hentz who banked the puck in off the Dorchester goalie from behind the icing line. The pro Tillsonburg crowd erupted in cheers as the referee signaled a good goal. Coach Sinden was ecstatic with the win and stressed the refusal to lose attitude of his players. Guys like Zach Schonberger and Brody Long have really elevated their level of play for us and that gives everybody more confidence said coach Sinden. It was great seeing Austin score the winner he has struggled lately to find the net and maybe this will get him on track going forward. I told him before he stepped on the ice in OT that this was his opportunity to be the hero and he took full advantage of it, well done. The Bantams will now will face the Thorold Blackhawks in the provincial semi finals with the schedule pending. We are probably favored in the next round for a change and we need to bring our same intensity and not take them too lightly commented Sinden. Thorold is obviously playing their best hockey of the year right now as well and it comes down to who wants it more. Judging by our reaction tonight we want this title pretty bad.