Bluefins Fall to Outlaws in Season Ending Playoff Game, 5-3

March 14, 2012 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
New York Bluefins News Release


Hyannis, MA - After dropping the first two games of a best of 5 series in New Jersey, the Cape Cod Bluefins found themselves in a do or die situation when they returned to the Hyannis Youth & Community Center for game 3 of their semi-final matchup against the Federal Hockey League regular season champion New Jersey Outlaws. New Jersey was without their leading scorer Travis Kauffeldt who was suspended for an elbow to the head which he threw on Cape Cod's Brad Surdam. Unfortunately, Surdam who was one of the Bluefins leading scorers in the regular season was knocked out of Wednesday's game as a result.

The only goal of the first period came at 8:46 when the Outlaws' John Geoffredo took a pass from Billy McCreary and put it past Bluefin's goalie Adam Roy. The visitors took a 1-0 lead into the locker room after the first period and despite being outshot 18-9, The Fins were not discouraged as they were very much in the game.

At 4:31 of the second period Craig Cole made it 2-0 when he fired a snap shot that beat Roy and the Outlaws were in control. However, at the 10:10 assistant captain and player coach, Dan Gordon jumped off of the Bluefin bench, picked up a loose puck and raced in alone on Outlaw goalie, Dan McWhiney. Gordan made a fantastic move which froze McWhiney as he shifted to his backhand and lifted a shot up into the net. It was now 2-1 and the Fins were back in it. Unfortunately, the hype was short lived as at 17:31 Lawne Snyder scored a power play goal and put the Outlaws up 3-1.

The third period began as perhaps the last period the Bluefins would play this season if they could not dig themselves out of the hole that they were in following 2 periods of play. Coach Mike Nugnes must have reminded them of this as just 24 seconds into the frame Justin Barr made it 3-2. Barr's 22nd goal of the season was assisted by Andrew Hutton and Matt Harrington. But again, the Outlaws wouldn't let the Fins hold on to the momentum as just 26 seconds later they again went up by 2. This time it was off the stick of Anthony Battaglia. Battaglia's goal was assisted by Jeff Winchester and Brett Liscomb. For Liscomb it was his 3rd assist of the game. Then at 9:32, Corey Bellamy brought the home town team within one again on a nice hustle play. "Bells" stole the puck behind McWhiney and attempted to stuff it past the Outlaw goalie. McWhiney made the initial save but Bellamy, not giving up on the play jammed the rebound past the Outlaw net minder. New Jersey scored again at 13:49 on a goal by Luke Flicek and the walls were all but caving in on the Bluefins season. It was 5-3 and the clock seemed to be ticking double time and as the time dwindled away down to the final seconds and the players saluted the home town faithful, the fans stood on their feet and applauded this young and talented team who's inexperience ultimately spelled their demise.

The game and the season ended for the Bluefins but their fans and all of Cape Cod should be proud of their new professional hockey team. Now with a full FHL season under their belts, next season promises to be a better one with lessons learned and a newly formed outlook.

The Outlaws will face the winner of the Danbury Whalers and the 1000 Islands Privateers in the FHL Championship.



Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from March 14, 2012


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