NA Engineering Midgets off to Semi Finals vs. Windsor
It was major upset in the making. From the drop of the puck in Game 1 it was clear we had two determined and equal opponents but there was definitely something different in the play of the Lakers.
The eighth-seeded Lakers were well aware that many were giving them no shot against the top-seeded Hawks. But they
refused to accept the role of underdog and were determined to show they can compete with the top clubs.
Coming out of the gate, the Lakers were on their game and forced the issue for 60 straight minutes forcing overtime in Game 1. Five extra minutes solved nothing and the teams settled for a 3-3 tie.
Game 2 was a reply of the opening game. A solid goaltending performance at both ends kept the game close, forcing OT for the 2nd straight game. Once again solving nothing in a 1-1 tie.
In Game 3, Cambridge took a 4-3 lead into the 3rd period. The Lakers had their chances but suffered their first defeat of the post season.
Game 4 saw the Lakers in a 2-0 deficit midway through the 1st period.
The team erased adversity, withstanding the pressure of playing in a win-or-go-home game, and skated away with a 5-4 win to force a 5th and deciding game.
Sunday in Game 5, it was an end to end game that once again saw the offensive players stymied by solid goaltending at both ends of the rink. The Lakers went up 2-0 before the League Champion Hawks clawed back and once again forced overtime for the 3rd time in 5 games. This time however, the Lakers dug deep and a rocket shot from the point found the back of the net to give the Lakers a 3-2 victory and the Quarter-Final series win.
The Lakers now advance to the Alliance Final Four & will face Windsor with the schedule TBD in the coming days.
London & Waterloo will matchup in the other Semi-Final.