Privateers Look To Stretch Series Lead Hosting Warriors
February 25, 2011 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Watertown Privateers News Release
The 1000 Islands Privateers made the first-ever playoff game in Federal Hockey League history a memorable one, erasing a three-goal deficit in the third period to win 6-5 against their rivals the Akwesasne Warriors. The series switches to the Bonnie Castle Rec Center and the Privateers look to capitalize on the home-ice advantage they seized with the dramatic victory Thursday night. The game is set for Saturday night at 7 PM.
Mike Elberty's Privateers went into the locker room trailing 5-2 after two periods despite outshooting Akwesasne 20-10. Captain Alex Goupil roused the troops in the dressing room and the best third period team during the regular season went to work. The Privateers' young roster includes players with vast playoff experience, most notably the starting line of Ryan Pearson, Adam Mcallister, and Justin Levac. Levac and Mcallister were on the Kingston Voyageur team that ran to the RBC Finals, the Canadian national championship for junior hockey, in 2009. Pearson fell to the Voyageurs while with Schreiber and played them the next year with the Fort William North Stars. This line dictated a faster tempo and exposed Akwesasne's back line with prolonged possessions. Pearson scored twice, once on the man advantage, before Mcallister tied the game. Less than a minute later, Goupil lit the lamp off a drop pass from Tyler Fernandez that has become that line's signature play. The defense played a tight game all 60 minutes, allowing just 15 shots overall, including 5 in the final stanza. The Privateers play very strong hockey at home and look to tighten their hold on the series.
Angelo Sanseverino claimed his Warriors' three-game slide into the playoffs was an aberration. His team responded well the first two periods, overcoming an early deficit to build a 5-2 edge headed into the third period. The master of adjustments appeared to have the potent Privateer offense bottled. However, the tide changed in the third period after Pearson's first goal and the major-misconduct penalty assessed to his captain Pat Deraspe for an ugly incident at center ice. While the league reviews the infraction for further discipline, his teammates must regroup and figure out a way to slow down the Privateers fleet forwards. Luc Mazerolle had a strong game with 2 goals and 2 assists. An opening at forward could mean ice time for Joshua Desmarais, the hulking wing whose size creates matchup nightmares for the Privateers back line. Akwesasne counterpunched effectively Game 1; they may need to take the fight to 1000 Islands in Game 2.
Saturday night will be Thunderstick night at the Bonnie Castle Rec Center, as the first 500 fans to the game will receive a pair of Thundersticks, compliments of FX Caprara Kia. The series shifts back to Akwesasne on Sunday. If necessary, Game 4 will be at Bonnie Castle on Friday, March 4th and the series will conclude in Akwesasne the following night.
The 1000 Islands Privateers operate in Alexandria Bay and are a founding franchise in the Federal Hockey League. The Privateers play at the Bonnie Castle Recreation Center in Alexandria Bay. ¬ÅThe future is now ¬Â in the Federal Hockey League as the top talent play professional hockey with a chance to advance their careers.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2011
- All Good Things Come To An End; New York's Run Stopped in Final Game - Brooklyn Aviators
- Privateers Look To Stretch Series Lead Hosting Warriors - Watertown Privateers
- Privateers Pull Historic Comeback, Defeat Warriors 6-5 To Open Playoffs - Watertown Privateers
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