Minor atom Blackhawks continue playoff success

Last Saturday (March 1), the Caledon Blackhawks minor atom Select team headed over to the Terry Miller Arena for their second playoff game against the regular season leading Brampton Snipers.

The Snipers came out strong. Within a minute and a half, one of their shots had gone off the far post, to put them up by one.

The Blackhawks fought back, but were not really able to get their game going. The Snipers would continue to press during the period, but goalie Russ McCanna and the Blackhawks defensive unit would not give anything else up. The period would end 1-0 for the Snipers.

The fans would have to be patient during the second period. An early penalty against the Blackhawks would leave them anxious, but the team would survive playing a man down by killing off the penalty. When goalie Steven Nelson entered the game, his skills would be tested early and like his goaltending partner earlier, he was up to the challenge. The Snipers would not get any further. Finally with 3:39 left in the period, Zach Infusini would score a power-play goal when Eric Lowry won the faceoff, sliding the puck into the slot where Michael Upshall tapped it over to Infusini. Infusini shot from the slot, found its way into the net. The period would end 1-1.

In the third period, the Blackhawks true character would come out. Early on in the frame, at 2:50, Hudson James would score another power-play goal for the team. Christopher Cola's hard work digging out the puck, would earn him and David Ryan assists. As the clock ticked away, it was obvious that the Blackhawks were there to win, never giving the Snipers an advantage. With less than four minutes left, Lucas Mizzi would send a pass from deep in his own zone to a streaking Upshall, who would drive the puck into the Sniper zone and set up Eric Lowry for the insurance goal. Blackhawks continued to press in the last minute of play, not letting the puck leave the Snipers end.

The game would end 3-1 for the Blackhawks.

The coach's pick for the player of the game would be Lucas Mizzi.

The Blackhawks would like to thank the following sponsors: Karen Wilcock Royal LePage RCR Realty, Alan Nelson - Blackmont Capital, Probuilt by Michael Upshall, Black and McDonald, Kidd Fuels.