Oilers edge Leafs 5-4 in last-minute thriller
WEEKEND action in the Bermuda InLine Hockey League saw some excellent games with all three games going down to the wire.
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Oilers 5 Leafs 4
In an exciting game which featured constant back and forth action, the Oilers edged out the Leafs by 5-4. First blood went to the Leafs as Taylor Ruck scored after a pinpoint pass by Michael Betteto. The Oilers replied with a nice shot by Sam Brock on a breakaway. Not to be outdone, Mikey Daly scored two quick goals for the Leafs, one unassisted, and the other set up by the Betteto brothers, Michael and Matthew. Laird Simmons narrowed the gap with a long shot and Toby Brook tied it up with a hard high shot from the top of the circle. The Leafs regained the lead when Matthew Betteto took the ball end to end and blasted one past the goalie, but Adam Weech levelled it when he emerged from a melee with the ball and found the net.
With the clock winding down and only a minute left, Jordan Faries from the corner sent a perfect pass to the unmarked Weech who casually flicked it over the goalie's right shoulder in the play of the game. A thrilling conclusion and the Leafs look forward to settling the score in the return engagement.
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Canucks 2 Senators 2
In the second game of the afternoon fans were treated to a thrilling encounter. The all-girl Canucks team is showing their mettle with their second draw in as many attempts against the boys, this time against the Senators.
The girls have been a welcome addition to the Intermediate League providing very stiff competition and may turn out to be the team to beat as the season progresses.
The Canucks opened the scoring in the first period on a goal by Christina Collis assisted by Julia Scully. The first period contained great action at both ends of the arena. The Senators tied the score near the end of the first period on a fine play by Tyson Harvey.
The teams picked up the play in the second period and Harvey managed to put the Senators ahead by one on a great pass from Tadhg O'Shaughnessy. The Senators continued to apply pressure with some great chances but Jackie Buchanan in the Canucks goal continued to turn away all shots and keep the Canucks in the game.
The Canucks picked up the tempo in the last half of the period and constantly pounded shots on Sens goalie Henry Taylor. Taylor was equal to the task until a furious goal mouth scramble that found the Canucks Paula Weech stuff in a rebound assisted by Adrienne Miller leaving the game tied.
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Bruins 12 Blues 8
The last game of the evening saw the Bruins split into two teams and face off for a tough intra-squad game. The action was high speed and intense as the teams flew up and down the rink. Chris West opened the scoring for the Blues on a sharp angle from the corner. Harry Medway put the Blues up 2-0 on a blast from the left side. Rowen Vickers responded with the first of his five goals on the evening, to bring the Bruins within one. Nathaniel Faries added another for the Blues on a blast from the right side and two goals by Coutland Boyle put the Blues comfortably ahead. The Bruins responded with scores by Tobin Voth and a pair by George Scully the second being a great shot to the top shelf.
Keo Darrell found the net for the Bruins after a battle on the boards and sent one screaming in the bottom right hand corner of the net.
After the period end the teams put in fresh goaltenders with Keo Darrell backing the Bruins and Jonathan Chapman in goal for the Blues. Chapman made a few excellent saves but was not able to stop the onslaught as the Bruins opened it up in the second period. Two more by Vickers and singles from George Scully and Tobin Voth put the game out of reach for the Blues.
Action continues every Saturday behind the Pembroke Community Centre at Admiralty Park.