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Hamilton Jaguars - Ottawa Grinders 4-0

Grinders limited to just 4 goals, as Jaguars secure UHL final spot after sweep.

The Jaguars continue to be relentless.

After having, after having just lost two games in the post-season, the Jags didn't leave much room for debate sending the Ottawa Grinders home with a 4-0 series loss.

In a tale of two GM's doing their homework, it was Jaguars' GM D'Ambrosio who came out as the better student.

Realizing his team had to avoid getting into a physical battle with the gritty Grinders, the Jaguars were not to be intimidated and let the offense do the trash talking for them.

Jaguarsr GM Mike D'Ambrosio pointed out the strength of his team's offense. "Our top line had a great series (Landeskog - 1G 5A 6P +5 vs OTT; Zibanejad - 4G 3A 7P +7 vs OTT; Brown - 1G 3A 4P +5 aganinst Ottawa)."

Facing a bloated offensive line-up the Grinders knew they had soldify their defense to make the series competitive. GM Davies' gameplan was played to perfection until a short lapse of concentration a few seconds into the third period of game 1 led to veteran Jussi Jokinen leave Lundqvist helpless to open the scoring.

A trademark Shea Weber blast from the blueline made the Grinder's job even more challenging.

Outshot in each period, the Grinders did pull one goal back but the Jaguars never looked like losing game 1.

It forced the Grinders to slightly alter their game plan in game2 where the team came out more offensively illustrated by 36 shots on the net of Robin Lehner. Unfortunately for them, the Swedish netminder continued to show his excellent form this playoffs and stopped 35 of them.

The Jaguars blinked, but not stumbled. They were lethal with the scoring chances offered to them as the Grinders opened up their game and took a commanding three goal lead before Nick Schmaltz could save the honours for the Grinders.

Both GM's knew goaltending was going to be one of the keys in this match-up.

"The two things the Grinders were concerned about heading into the series versus the Jaguars were (a) trying to contain the Jags terrific group of top six forwards, and (b) goaltending, GM Davies knew.  "While the shots and shot attempts favoured the Grinders in 2 of the 4 games, goaltending in the series was the ultimate difference. Robin Lehner was terrific in every game, whereas Henrik Lundqvist regressed as compared to how he played versus the Knights and Hitmen."

His counterpart agreed.

D'Ambrosio: "Lehner is playing maybe the best hockey of his career and you can see Lundqvist has lost a step or two. He (Lehner) has been an a brick wall all through the post season (12-2 0.949 SV% 1.57 GAA) and somehow he's raised his game against Ottawa (4-0 0.966% SV 1.00 GAA). This is why we signed him last season. He knows this is his moment and he's really come through"

Boosted by a comfortable 2-0 series lead, the Jaguars gave the Grinders a lesson in efficiency.

Six different goal scorers tore apart the Grinders in a 6-1 rout to put the Jaguars in pole position to win the Canadian Conference.

Nearly running out of gas, the Grinders gave it one last push in game 4 and played a solid game for 40 minutes but once again were not able to make their scoring chances count as Lehner came up huge one again.

Their gritty playing style this playoffs has taken its toll, as the Jaguars wore down their prey before delivering the killer blow in the final period. Mike Zibanejad scored twice in a wild final period in which the Jaguars outshot their opponents 27-14 to win the game 3-1 and sweep the series.

Following the series loss, Davies was honest in his response to the media. "The Grinders are disappointed that we didn't give Mike and his powerful Jaguars team a better series, he reflected back on the series.  "That being said, I'm proud of how the team competed and won two series versus the Knights and Hitmen as underdogs. The Grinders have accumulated some nice young players and are thus optimistic moving forward."

Asked about what the future in Ottawa looks like, Davies shared a view on his crystal ball

"I think overall the Grinders had a pretty positive season. The team struggled early in the year with consistency, with a terrible penalty kill and production from its bottom 6 forwards, hence many trades were made to try to address those issues. The team played better in the 2nd half and made a good run in the playoffs, Additionally, the Grinders farm team has qualified for the finals with many young players leading the charge (e.g. Logan Brown, Victor Olofsson) so the future is bright in Ottawa!"

Meanwhile The Jaguars are not done yet and have silverware on their radar.

"I am not surprised with the dominance our team is showing. but am really happy to see the team reaching their full potential at the right time,"D'Ambrosio said. "To be honest I was a bit worried about the Grinders match up with their great lineup and some of the additions they made at the deadline. I'm excited to see the team playing this way and if we can stick to our game plan I think we've got a great shot in the final."

Asked about his outlook for the series against the Slapshots, the Jags GM will be doing his homework again.  "It will be another very tough challenge. Another great goaltender in Rinne who is playing at a very high level behind a very skilled and balanced team. We can't afford to take any shifts off against them or their skill guys will make you pay. If we stick to our game plan and execute, I think we will be very tough to beat. Should be a fantastic final."

Gander Slapshots - Tumba Wolves 4-2

Slapshots almost blow 3-game series lead, win game 6 to clinch UHL final spot.

The people of Gander who had already postponed their summer holidays can do so once more. Or perhaps they could consider booking a trip up north as the Slapshots have defied the odds and set themselves up for an UHL Finals series against the Hamilton Jaguars.

Going into the series, Slapshots GM Wagner knew his team were the underdogs against the high flying, smooth skating Wolves. The keys to success were "containing their offense and stay out of the box." The plans weren't executed to perfection but sufficient to cage the Wolves and send them back to Tumba empty handed.

Having mastered the art of winning one-goal games in the semi final series against the Trappers, the Slapshots won the first game in the series by a score of 2-1. A result that still has the Wolves staff fuming as they felt the game winning goal by Brock Nelson should not have counted as the net got loose. After a 5 minute video review, referee Steve Kozari called the goal and with that set the tone of the series.

Having yet to face adversity this playoffs, the Wolves now had to restore orders in game 2 at home, but found themselves 3-1 behind after two periods of play. Goals by Michael Grabner and Nick Foligno did bring the scoring in the final period, but the Wolves, who had restored the two-goal lead midway the third period, snatched the win thanks to an empty net goal by Jacob Silfverberg to take a 2-0 lead back to Gander.

Back on familiar territory, the Slapshots executed their traditional game plan of keeping games close and strike late.

After both teams exchanged goals in the first period, it took a Mikael Backlund third period goal to seal the deal in 2-1 victory giving the Slapshots a royal 3-0 lead in the series.

Perhaps the cushion was just a bit too much comfort to enjoy.

Boosted by a 2-0 first period lead, the Slapshots' intense game slowed down a notch and the Wolves took full advantage. After Anthony Cirelli cut back the deficit, the Wolves struck twice within 6 seconds early in the final period to take a 3-2 victory and record their first win in the series.

The Wolves smelled blood and were hungry and the Slapshots were hurt meat going back to Tumba.

Outshooting the Slapshots 39-30, the Wolves struck four goals, as their offense finally seemed to click and Carey Price standing tall in net.

The comfortable 3-0 series lead was now reduced to just a single game and the Slapshots needed to regain their intensity level they had showed previously this series.

Surprisingly, it wasn't a coaches' speech or motivational speaker that was brought in, but GM Wagner decided to give his team a day off in preparation to game 6 and sent the players and family to a local mall.

Studies of the effect still have to be conducted, but the Slapshots looked reborn when stepping on the ice for game 6.

Sean Monahan and Brendan Gallagher scored early in the first periods, and the Slapshots never looked back. Things went from bad to worse for the Wolves when Mike Green scored his first playoff goal in the second period and facing elimination there believe was no longer there.

Oscar Klefbom ruined Pekka Rinne's shutout bid with a third period goal, but the Finnish netminder would not be bothered too much and will look forward to a clash with his Swedish counterpart, Robin Lehner, in the UHL Finals.

After the on-ice celebrations were concluded, a Champagne soaked GM Wagner showed his face to the media. "There is currently lots of excitement in the locker room with the chance to win a cup.  Most guys realize these chances don’t come around often. And to be honest a little relief because game 6 in the semis felt like a must win against a good Wolves team,"he said trying to keep his composure.

Wagner was full of praise of his netminder who came up huge for his team against the Wolves.  "We lost our best two dmen but Pekka Rinne put the team on his back. He really was the main key to victory for us."

Wagner is hopeful the Finnish netminder can continue his strong play and already made it clear his team are going into the finals as underdogs, putting the pressure on the Jaguars.

"On paper the Jaguars certainly seem to be the better team. They are certainly the favorites. But we are going to play a physical game and try to slow down their skill some and if Rinne keeps playing well we will always have a chance"

Holiday isn't over yet!

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