COVENTRY, UK – The Slough Jets capped an excellent season with an exciting overtime playoff final victory in Coventry.
The Jets sealed a 2-1 victory against the Guildford Flames with a penalty shot from their captain and leading scorer Blaz Emersic in front of a large crowd at the Skydome.
Slough started stronger in the first period, playing a strong forechecking game that seemed to put Guildford off their stride and caused a lot of turnovers. It was the Flames that had the first good opportunity though, as Nathan Rempel forced a smart pad-save from Slough netminder Gregg Rockman with a fierce wristshot from the left wing.
Mark Lee in the Guildford net was soon called into action too, making a great double save in tight on speedy Slough import Peter Poljacek. The Jets also had a good chance to take the lead when captain Emersic was sent clear on a shorthanded break. The puck just rolled off his stick and wide though, and from that point on it was all Guildford pressure. The Flames hit the post on that same powerplay, and Rockman saved well twice.
The momentum remained with Guildford as Adam Greener took a hooking penalty, and they almost broke the deadlock when Milos Melicherik had an excellent chance in the slot. Rockman got a piece of his first shot, and the experienced Slovak shot the rebound wide when he had a lot of net to aim for, meaning that the first period ended scoreless, but with Guildford clearly on top, outshooting the Jets 17-6.
The Flames also started the second period well and Martin Masa had a breakaway opportunity that was well saved by Rockman. However, it was Slough who drew first blood in the tie, as Emersic put his side ahead. The talented forward received a pass at the blueline, deked around a defenceman and unleashed a rising wristshot from the top of the left circle over Lee’s glove hand and into the top corner.
The goal gave Slough belief and they almost scored again after a slick passing play that lead to Lee making a save with his head. Lee also stopped Joe Greener on a breakaway, while Guildford player/coach Paul Dixon clipped the post with a slapshot just before the end of the period.
Slough were made to rue their missed chances less than a minute into the third period when Guildford levelled the scores through Melicherik. Originally Melicherik wasn’t going to play for Guildford this season, choosing to concentrate on coaching instead, however he began to play again when the Flames were struggling with injuries, and has been terrific in the playoffs. He collected the puck in the slot and snapped a quick wristshot into the top left corner of the net.
Rockman recovered well though, making three key saves in the rest of the period, particularly a flashy glove save from a trademark Nathan Rempel rocket. The third period ended 1-1 with both teams evenly matched, meaning the match went to a four-on-four overtime period.
Four-on-four soon became three-on-three when Nathan Rempel and Adam Greener were both penalised for roughing, and with so much open ice, chances were inevitable. After a minute and a half of end-to-end action, Slough’s Joe Greener was sent in on a breakaway, and as he neared the Guildford goal he was hauled down from behind by two trailing Guildford players. Blaz Emersic stepped up to take the resulting penalty-shot and made no mistake, deking Lee before lifting a shot into the top corner and winning the game for Slough.
The win marks Slough’s second playoff finals victory in three years and caps a great season for the Jets and their fans.
Contact the author dave.lambert@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.