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Hamilton Jaguars - Copper Cliff Braves 4-0

The third seeded Jaguars swept the Copper Cliff Braves in a series that was more close than the actual score would imply.

"You never assume you deserve a sweep, but we have a very strong team and our depth caused some mismatches for the Braves", Jags GM Mike D'Ambrosio was quoted afterwards

Over 16,000 ecstatic fans saw Hamilton starting furious in the opening game of the series, but Braves' netminder Jimmy Howard was not amazed and kept his team in the game saving all 12 shots. The fast paced game pumped the Braves' self belief and the second period saw the momentum swing their way when Jake DeBrusk scored the series opening goal. The joy was shortlived though as three minutes later Gaudreau tied the game up before both team exchanged goals heading into the final period with a 2-2 score.

Jaguars'coach Trotz was clearly not amused with his team's performance and saw a different mentality in the third period, were Jaguars regained control of the game and eventually took the lead for the first time thanks to a nifty deflection of Derek Stepan in front of a screened Jimmy Howard. The lead was thin, but eventually proved sufficient to take the series lead.

Game 2 saw much of the same, with the Jaguars taking early control of the game but unable to decipher a tight Braves'defense. Rickard Rakell's early first period goal looked like the perfect start en route to a comfortable victory but the Braves stuck to their game plan and got rewarded 7 minutes into the second period when Aaron Palushaj wristed home from a tight angle.

Despite firing nearly 40 shots on Jimmy Howard, the Jaguars could not capitalize until Dusting Brown finished off a slapshot from the point less than a minute into overtime after a questionable slashing call against JakeDeBrusk was called by referee Brad Watson. The Jaguars didn't feel sympathy and extended their lead to 2-0.

It was overtime again that decided game 3 and this time Jason Zucker became the unsung hero after a quick breakaway opportunity was executed to perfection early on in the 2nd overtime period.

It was a game where both netminders stood tall for most of the game, except for a wild third period, where the Jaguars looked to have all but won the game taking a commanding 3-1 lead, but the Braves' never-say-die mentality earned them an overtime with two late third period goals to tie the series.

Jags netminder Robin Lehner has been instrumental in the series, posting a 1.60 G.A.A. and .944% save perfentage.

D'Ambrosio is full of praise of Lehner: "Lehner has been on another level the last two months of the season and that carried over into the playoffs for us."

With a golden opportunity to clinch the series, the Jaguars adopted a more cautious approach in game 4 and it paid off thanks a 3-1 victory over the Braves. Chances were few and 3 of the games' 4 goals were scored on the man advantage. The Braves eventually had to capitalize after having lost Mika Zibanejad to injury early in the first period.

The Jaguars having been fully rested, will now continue their quest for silverwar with a matchup against the Mavericks. D'Ambrosio does not necessarily agree to the media's claim that the additional rest days and the performance against the Braves has the Jags as the Canadian Conference main contender.

"All of the teams in this Conference are very strong so I wasn't surprised to see a lot of competitive series,"knows D'Ambrosio. " I won't say we're a favorite but I think we are also strong and will be a tough out for anyone. For now we're focused on the Mavericks and taking that series one game at a time.

Toronto Hitmen - Toronto Rock 4-3

Two third period power play goals clinched the All-Toronto series between the Hitmen and the Rock.

Coming in as the top seed, the Hitmen were bound to win this series, but facing their neighbour rivals meant it would be a rocky road for them.

With both coaches nervous in the bench, it was the Hitmen's speciality teams that came to the rescue. Early in the final period, Nicklas Backstrom received a minor for roughing and the Rock paid dearly. "Jumbo"Joe Thornton was at the right spot to find a hole between the post and  Darcy Kuemper's legs to restore the lead and the Hitmen never looked back.

Having already conceded two first power play goals, the Rock could not stay disciplined and stay out of trouble. Jeff Petry took an unncessary Cross Checking penalty midway the final period, and this time Anders Lee made the Rock pay dearly with the Rock taking a 4-2 lead and eventual series clinching win.

"The powerplay has been saving our bacon all season and was a very important part of winning this series. Also staying discipline and trying not to take foolish penalties," Hitmen GM Moniz commented adding a pinch into the Rock's wounds.

Rock GM  Stephen Marson was fuming during the press conference after game 7.

"I think the refs dictated this game and our guys didn’t do what they needed to do on the penalty kill.  It’s a very frustrating end to our season”.  The GM then took a deep pause and stood up and pounded his fist on the table as he looked on to the crowd of reporters.  Everyone in the room could feel things were getting very tense.  “They were who we thought they were!  ... They were who we thought they were, and we let them off the hook!”, as he stormed out of the post game press conference.

A hard fought series, saw the Hitmen run out to a 2-0 lead thanks to two overtime wins.

In game 1, the Rock were able to rebound from behind twice before Matt Cullen struck in overtime. Game two was just as close with both netminders playing at elite level until Anders Lee, again, turned up to become the hero on the green side of Toronto.

The Rock weren't impressed though and with the series moving to the red part of Toronto, they provided the Hitmen with a piece of their own recipe, winning game three thanks to a piece of magic by Vladimir Tarasenko. The Russien sniper was able to squeeze through two defensemen before slotting home in the top corner to cut the series deficit to one.

Whoever though this series couldn't get any more wild than three overtime games, was deceived as game 4 turned out to be one for the highlight reels. The Rock scored three unanswered goals to erase Blake Coleman's early first period goal, however found themselves 4-5 behind midway the final period. Bryan Tanev came up big then assisting on the equalizing goal of Ryan Johansson before one-timing home the game-winner 3 minutes later; 6-5.With the series tied at two, the Toronto-circus moved back to the Hitmen arena where the top seed showed what they have been capable of all season long. They outshot the Rock 36-26 in a 3-1 victory and with that were in pole position to win the series.

The Rock were not planning to call defeat just yet.

Whereas the Hitmen felt they could win the series away from home, the Rock came out strong scoring three power play goals en route to a 3-1 victory of their own forcing an all-decisive game 7.

The Hitmen came out stronger this time, taking a 2-0 lead before the Rock tied the game up at 2 in the second period. With the crowd anticipating another intense third period, it was the Rock's inability to stay out of the box that eventually caused their downfall.

Losing a 2-0 series lead led to some heated columns in the Toronto Star, where several pundits claimed the Hitmen are not capable to deal with the pressure.

GM Moniz decided not to respond at the time but does admit there were some flashbacks going through his mind when the series was tied.

"I wouldn't say doubt, but definitely concern,"he admitted. "We have blown leads in a series one too many times in our history. Winning game five was a relief because we knew we weren't going to lose four straight games. We missed Girardi's leadership, penalty killing and shot blocking in game six. For game seven we knew we had to play with more discipline. The Rock have such a talented squad. There was always a concern throughout the series because it was so close right until the final puck drop.

Looking ahead of the future of league realignment, the prospect of having another All-Toronto series in future. is in jeopardy, GM Mike Moniz was sentimental.

"Rumour has it that there will be only two of us Toronto teams left after the league realigns, Moniz said. "This series was even more special so. There has always been an intense rivalry there so that will be missed."

Next up for the Hitmen will be a matchup against the Grinders, who squeeked by the Knights in seven games.

Moniz: "In a hockey market where the Leafs haven't won a Stanley Cup since the 60s there's always extra pressure for Toronto teams to win. Our team just has to just stay focused and take it game by game to handle the extra pressure.  Don't get me wrong, I know Hitmen fans don't support the other local teams and vice versa. Toronto is like a London situation in the soccer/football Premier League."

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