Playoffs - Game #2

A full house was in attendance as over 1,200 fans were at the rink in Mulhouse as the Scorpions welcomed Asnieres for the second game of the playoff series. In the picture above, Tommi reaches for a save while Bruno backchecks.

Going into the second game of our playoff series with Mulhouse being down 5 goals in the two game total goals series, we knew the odds of advancing definetly working against us. As it was potentially the last game of the year, it was especially important for me make it back into the line-up as I had decided that I was not going out from the comfort of the stands. So with my ribs in a protective wrap, I suited up for what I knew would be a very tough game.

We started the game off on the right foot as we had several good chances to take the lead in the first five minutes of the game. However it would be Mulhouse who opened the scoring on their first real scoring chance of the game. We rebounded quickly however with a powerplay marker less then two minutes later as Bruno Rivero jammed in a rebound to tie the score at 1-1. The rest of the period produced no more offence despite several powerplays for each team and we headed into the break with the score tied.

Mulhouse came out flying to start the second and scored only 26 seconds into the period. They continued to buzz us for a few minutes before Coach Dmitri had seen enough and called a timeout to rally the troops. It seemed to work as we went to work and notched two goals by Andronik to put as in the lead. Mulhouse fought back and tied the score before we again went into the lead on a powerplay tally by Emilien Rouyer. We played well and Tommi made some key saves to send us into the third with a one goal lead.

Unfortunately for us, our offense dried up in the third period and we would score no more. We just couldn't get the puck to cross the line. Mulhouse notched the equalizer on the powerplay before one of their Canadian players, David Croteau, scored a pretty goal with a great move to put Mulhouse in the lead. Knowing that they had pretty much sealed their ticket to the next round, Mulhouse played defensively for the rest of the game and the final score ended at 5-4.

It was tough to finish the year with a loss, but the guys showed up for the game and we played hard. My ribs were incredibly sore after the game, but the pain was well worth the chance to play one more game this season.

Taking the puck away from an attacking Mulhouse forward.

Keeping the puck out with a desperate streach across the goalline behind Tommi.

Meeting the Mulhouse rush.

The playoffs are a tight checking affair as demonstrated above.