Oh my, what a way to finish this season... after a great regular season and first round it was hard to believe things could go to another level, but this past Sunday had it all, great offence, all out defence, stellar goaltending and most importantly a complete day of intense, clean hockey with zero issues!

Before I get into the writeups I want to thank each and every one of you for a great season, the OFBHL is a great league because of the players in it who care and we really appreciate everything you all do for us and the league. Special mention to the captains, refs and scorekeepers... it's not an easy job to take on but thanks for the commitment to making our league a great one!

A couple of quick notes:
1) There will be a banquet this season, stay tuned for details but we're tentatively booking for June 9th
2) End of season awards voting will be available later this week

Onto the action:

B pool

Semifinal #1 - Central Red Army vs Kiss My Pass
Unfortunately after a great OT victory last week CRA were a virtual no show this week with only 4 regulars in the lineup, and KMP were able to take advantage of their lack of cohesion. After a slow start KMP went on a tear with 5 straight goals to take a 6-2 win. Sean Frewen led the way with the game winner and 3 assists while after a shaky start Greg Patterson shone in the KMP net stopping 23 of 25 shots.

Semifinal #2 - Black Sheep vs L'il Green Bastards
After sneaking into the second round via the wildcard you would think that BS would be looking to make the most of their second chance, and early on it looked as though they would do just that as they took a 2-1 lead and control of the game. Unfortunately from then on it was all downhill for the Sheep... The Blondeaus took control of the game and LGB never looked back, Dan exploded for 4 goals and an assist while Isabelle picked up 1 goal and 2 assists. LGB win this one going away 9-3.

Mini-Bubba Cup Final - L'il Green Bastards vs Kiss My Pass
So the stage was set for the B championship between likely the 2 hottest teams on their side of the playoffs, KMP had won 4 straight and LGB 3 of 4 so you knew this game would be close. Michel Sirois would strike early in the game to give KMP a lead and then the goalies would lock things down. Michel Blondeau sparing in goal for KMP would shut down his brother Dan, while on the other side Greg Patterson literally stood on his head time after time in the LGB net to keep it close, his efforts were finally rewarded midway through the second half as Josee Chartrand finally broke the ice for LGB on a snipe from in close to tie things up at 1-1. Time ran off the clock but it looked like both goalies were not letting in another shot, that is until with only a few minutes remaining Sean Frewen took a pass in front and with his stick tied up managed to kick a pass across to Julie Martin for the tap in. LGB put on a great push as time wound down but could not find another chink in Michel's armour and KMP eke out a 2-1 victory in a great B final. Congrats to both teams on a great playoff run and a strong finish to the season.

A pool

Semifinal #1 - Fintastic Four vs Purple People Eaters
In the regular season teams can get by with one strong and one weak line but it seems like every year in the playoffs balance becomes the key, and that's exactly what PPE can throw at you, they come with 2 strong lines and don't sit back for a second to let you rest. They took control of this game early on and never let up grinding F4 down under their constant pressure, they fired 47 shots on goal while only allowing 32. F4 goalie Dan Genest did all he could but the PPE tide was simply to hard to turn back. PPE roll to a 5-0 victory backed by shutout goaltending from Brent Ferguson and a 2 goal effort from captain Zaborski.

Semifinal #2 - Freemasons vs Sweet Cheeks
With the first A pool semi more of a free flowing end to end game, this one was a locked down defensive struggle with not much room being given and dominant goaltending at both ends. Blue would strike first but before the first half was over Nic Picard would tie things up and at halftime the game was knotted at 1-1. The second half was more of the same with scoring chances at a premium it appeared as though we might be headed for OT or even a SO, however Nic Picard had other plans, Nic took a pass on the wall, made a great move to cut into the middle and his rocket would find the twine to give FM a 2-1 lead with just over 5 minutes remaining. SC would regroup and come hard but they could not burst the FM defensive shell or Brent Ferguson in goal. With less than a minute remaining and the goalie on the bench SC were turned aside on 2 glorious scoring chances before FM put the final nail in their coffin scoring into the empty net.

Bubba Cup Final - Freemasons vs Purple People Eaters
So our Bubba Cup final was an unlikely matchup between #6 and #8, PPE started the season at 1-4-0 and at that time looked destined for the basement but thanks to a turnaround late in the year they had won 5 straight and 8 of their last 9 coming into this game. At the other end FM got off to a great start but dropped their last 3 going into the playoffs to limp in as the #8 seed, however all of that was out of the window at this point with both squads playing great hockey and knocking off some very good teams to get to this point. Early on it was FM showing their fatigue as PPE dominated the opening minutes and took a commanding 3-0 lead on a blocked FM shot that somehow found a way in. FM would not go quietly however, they narrowed the lead to 3-2 at halftime and then came out hard to start the second. Their pressure would eventually pay off with Don Prior scoring one of the prettiest goals of the year to tie things up at 3. with less than 8 minutes remaining FM looked to take control, first Sean Frewen scored on a bomb from the point and then Barb Bujold was the recipient of a lucky bounce and potted another to give FM a seemingly insurmountable 5-3 lead. For the 3rd straight season penalties ended up playing a role in the outcome of the final, with 3:40 remaining FM would take a penalty and that was the chance PPE were waiting for. Steph B-D potted a powerplay marker to pull them within one and then with less than 2 minutes left spare Jeff Murphy powered his way to the goal to score the tying goal. The rest of regulation ticked away and believe it or not our 3rd straight Bubba Final was off to OT... the extra frame started off with a FM flurry but Dan Genest was up to the task, second later with FM forcing a long change Phil Graziadei took the ball just in front of his own net and rifled a ball the length of the gym, his shot somehow found it's way through a maze of bodies and into the goal giving the Purple People Eaters a 6-5 come from behind victory and a Bubba Cup title!

A dramatic finish to a dramatic and exceptional season... congrats to all the PPE but especially to OFBHL veterans Phil Graziadei and Mike Zaborski who had played 213 and 172 games respectively before taking home their first Bubba Cup win.

That made me look at other vets still searching for their first Bubba Cup, here's a list of those with 175+ games and no Bubba... Danielle Leroux (234), Luc Bourgeois (222), Jon McMaster (211), Don Prior (208), Isabelle Blondeau (197) and Bruce Boivin (178)

Congrats again to everybody on a great season and to both the Freemasons and Purple People Eaters for their playoff runs and edge of your seat final game. We'd like to wish everybody a very happy and safe summer, hope to see you all back on the floor in September if not before!