Minor atom Blackhawk Selects advance to finals this Saturday

The Caledon Blackhawks minor atom Select club Friday played the final game of the playoff playdowns, and earned the right to advance to the finals.

The opponents were the Brampton Spitfires.

Both teams knew whoever won would advance, and both teams were ready. Both teams early on showed why they were in the position they were, with everyone playing their position with the skill required. The puck would go back and forth. Both the Blackhawks' goaltender, Steven Nelson and the Spitfires' were not letting anything go past them. The period would end 0-0.

The second period started as the first had, with back and forth play and both teams looking for that first goal. Finally, with 6:38 left in the second period, the Blackhawks' Steve Luongo, assisted by Chris Hunter, found the back of the Spitfires' net. Their hard work paid off.

After a quick celebration the game was back on. The Blackhawks' game was fuelled now by that first goal. With a Spitfires' player off with a penalty, the Blackhawks would score a power-play goal in the final minute of the period. Hudson James would get the credit with Christopher Cola getting the assist.

The third period began with the Blackhawks up by two. It was still anyone's game, as the Spitfires would remind everybody as they tested Russ McCanna, now in the Blackhawk goal. Just over a minute into the period they would score, making it 2-1. This would renew their hopes. The Blackhawks had to step up their game. For the majority of the remaining time, the Blackhawks would keep the puck pinned in the Spitfires end. With a minute left in regulation time, the coach of the Spitfires would call a time out. No doubt to plan the pulling of the goalie for an extra attacker. The Blackhawks would not let the puck leave the Spitfires' end, and that prevented them from pulling their goalie. A stop in play with 13 seconds left on the clock, allowed Coach McCanna calls a time out to give some last second instructions to his team. The Blackhawks stayed on top of the Spitfires, turning them back one last time.

The finals score was 2-1 for the Blackhawks.

The coach's pick for the player of the game was Luke Caleca.

The final Championship game will be played at the Brampton Memorial Arena this Saturday (April 5) at 1 p.m. The opening ceremony begins at 12:45 p.m. Come out and support your Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks would like to thank all their team and player sponsors, without them the opportunity to advance the Championship Game may never had happened. Alan Nelson- Blackmont Capital, Kidd Fuels, JoAnn VanderWerff Century 21, Chic's Auto Repair, Bramalea Tire.