Clash of the Titans
After eight months of ice hockey, the Principal Standard League is nearing an end; and it will end just like every other hockey league in the world ends, with playoffs leading to a championship game. This year the teams who have lead the way the entire year will face each other in the finals; Winner Medical Kings against Verity.
After eight months of ice hockey, the Principal Standard League is nearing an end; and it will end just like every other hockey league in the world ends, with playoffs leading to a championship game. This year the teams who have lead the way the entire year will face each other in the finals; Winner Medical Kings against Verity.
Verity got there by thwarting an upset bid by the NAB BushRangers, who finished the season with a losing record but gave Verity a run for its money in the semi-finals. Winner Medical Kings through no surprise will play for the championship after beating team Principal, a team which they did not lose to all season.
Winner Medical Kings, the overall #1 seed in the league have been nearly unstoppable this season, and are unbeaten in their last nine games. Their last loss came at the hands of Verity back in November. Since that time, they have beaten Verity three times, and have the advantage in head-to-head record this season 4-1.
“We know Verity is a highly skilled team, with perhaps the most dangerous player in the league” admits Robert Kang, coach for Winner Medical Kings. “We have had success against them overall this season, but if we take them lightly they will take advantage.”
What is also impressive is the +92 goal differential during their nine-game winning streak. Their starting line-up has been a machine, with the league leading scorer Ryan Wong amassing 75 points this season and the top four scorers in the league are represented by Winner Medical Kings.
Coach Kang adds, “We just have to run our system and play the game which we have been playing all season. With that will come chances and our guys have found a way to find the back of the net. If we can do that I am confident in our chances.”
On side of Verity, they seemed to limp into the #2 seed in the playoffs, losing 3 straight before winning the final game of the regular season and then winning their semi-final game against NAB BushRangers. They are hoping to carry what momentum they have into the final game.
“Overall we played a strong team game in the semis” says Michael Lam, player/coach for team Verity. “If we want to win the championship, it will have to be a team game again. Of course our top players will need to step up, but we cannot rely only on them.”
Finding scoring from alternate places may mean the difference in this game, as the top line of Verity will have its hands full stopping the top line of Winner Medical Kings while still trying to fuel the offense.
“We know what it takes to beat this team as we have done it already, but we also know that in a one-game final, anything can happen. We will have to capitalize on our chances when they arise and hopefully we can catch a few lucky bounces.”
Championship game is being played 20:15 pm, Sunday, April 26th at Mega ice.
