BALLERS ELITE

Game 1 – Blazers 6 Thunderbirds 5 

MVP's: Leo Patru & Clark Wright

In game one, the Blazers and Thunderbirds looked to separate themselves in the standings. The game was tight from the start. Blazers attacker Leo Patru made a beautiful assist to Christian Ferro for the third Blazers goal, and the first period ended in a 3-3 tie. A physical affair resulted in penalties on both sides, and the Thunderbirds controlled possession on the back of Clark Wright’s face off ability in the second period, however the Blazers led 5-4 heading into the third. The Thunderbirds continued to dominate possession in period 3, and finally broke through to tie the game on a Carson Chun shorthanded goal. With under 2 minutes to play, Brody McGee drew a powerplay for the Blazers, which eventually gave way to a Beringer Nowinski game winner with 5 seconds to play! Final score Blazers 6, Thunderbirds 5.

Game 2 – Wildcats 2 Swarm 6

MVP's: Coleman Woodley & Jake Castle

In game two the Wildcats, seeking their first win, took on the undefeated Swarm. As expected, the first place Swarm came out humming, with Vincent Carman quickly netting their first goal on a slick finish. But the Wildcats fought back and Jude Dauer struck to even the score late in the first period at 1-1. The second period saw back and forth play, with slick goal from Jack Mufarrji once again tying the game for the Wildcats midway through the period. But Jake Castle converted while the Swarm were shorthanded and the 1st place team took a 3-2 lead into the third period. Castle again converted to kick off the final frame, giving the Swarm their first multi goal lead of the day. After yet another Castle goal, the Swarm closed out the game at a score 6-2 to maintain their undefeated season. 

Game 3 – Warriors 9 Rattlers 7

MVP's: Jack Agnew  & Wyatt Carter

In game three of the day, the Warriors took on the Rattlers in a game to distinguish themselves from each other in the standings, each bringing a 1 – 1 record into the matchup. The Warriors came out of the gates flying, with Louis Brown kicking off scoring and Jack Agnew adding a goal of his own. Louis Brown tacked on one more to make it 3-0 Warriors, but Wyatt Carter scored an unbelievable breakaway goal as time expired in the first period to get the Rattlers on the board. Wyatt Carter opened the scoring in the second period with another great near-side finish, and suddenly, the Rattlers only trailed 2-3. But the Warriors took control right back, with Louis Brown completing his hat trick. The Warriors continued to pile on with Agnew also finishing off his hattrick to make it 6-2. However the Rattlers refused to quit and struck back with two quick goals of their own, highlighted by a tremendous individual effort from Oliver Brose. Wyatt Carter scored again to become the third player with a hattrick in the game, but more importantly bring the Rattlers within one. Another two goals made it a 5 goal run for the Rattlers, with Oliver Brose striking shorthanded to take the lead at the midway point in the 3rd period. Jack Agnew struck back with a shorthanded goal of his own to tie the game heading into the final minutes. But Leo Douglas responded with yet another shorthanded goal of his own to give the Warriors the lead back for the first time in almost a period. After a chaotic final minute, the Agnew’s 5th goal iced the game and gave the Warriors a 9-7 win.

FUTURE ELITE

Game 4 – Seals 9 Rush 8

MVP's: Laws Howard & Hudson Eng

The Seals played the Rush in the first game of the Future Elite division. Looking for their first win of the CBLL season, the Seals came out on their toes, and led by Christian Tomasso they jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the early minutes of the game. MJ Sada got on the board to kick off a Rush comeback, and Ryan Lutz followed up with a tally of his own to make it a one goal game at the end of the first period. After another two goals to open up the second period, including another Lutz score, the Rush took the lead back. Tomasso struck back to tie the game for the Seals, and the team added another before the end of the period to take the lead back into the third. After a tight third period, the teams were tied in the final minute, but a Christian Tommasso break away go ahead goal with 50 seconds left earned the Seals their first win of the season.

Game 5 – Rock 12 Roughnecks 7

MVP's: Lucas Laudier & Kellan Robertson

The undefeated Rock took on the Roughnecks in a battle of the two top teams in the league. Rock opened up the scoring with a slick lefty effort from Peter McGee. After a Roughnecks goal, Jacob Thompson obliterated a corner with a howitzer from distance to give his team a 2-1 lead midway through the first period. After each team added a goal, Michael Marschner scored another highlight reel goal, going low to high to extend the Rock lead to 4-2. But Kellan Robertson and Ryan Herrmann scored 2 goals in 5 seconds to tie the game at the buzzer, and the teams went into the second period locked at 4-4. Michael Marschner finalized his hat trick to kick off the second period, giving Rock their lead back. After trading goals, Rock got another goal from Lucas Laudier, his second, to bring their lead to 7-5. Michael Marschner added more insurance for the Rock late in the second, and they brought a 8-5 lead into the third period. Lucas Laudier kept the Rock run going, completing his hat trick with the opening goal of the third period with a bar down on the run shot. The Rock kept their foot on the gas and a final goal from Carter Davis ended the game in 12-7 score.

JUNIOR ELITE

Game 6 – DC Lightning 3 Mammoth 12

MVP's: Carter Lowe & Keoni Daniels

In a battle between 2nd and 3rd place, the Mammoth took on the DC Lightning in the first game of the junior elite division. It was all Mammoth off the opening whistle, as they jumped to a 4-0 lead within the first minutes of the first period, largely thanks to Keoni Daniels faceoff play and a Jack Ambrose laser from the point. DC Lightning scrapped back, with Carter Lowe getting his team on the board with a bouncer off a lefty sweep, and Jack DiFrank adding a gritty scoop and score after a crazy ground ball sequence. Lowe made quick work of a powerplay with a sneaky shot from the low wing, and DC Express had brought it to 4-3 heading into the second. After nearly 8 minutes of scoreless play, Will Caroll’s second of the game ended the drought and gave Mammoth a two-goal cushion. After the Lightning were called for an illegal pick, Will North picked a corner to add to the Mammoth lead heading into the break. Keoni Daniels scored off the opening whistle of the final period, and minutes later, Jack Ambrose and Trip Horning fired off goals of their own, giving the Mammoth a commanding 9-3 lead with half a frame to play. The Mammoth continued to add to their lead, and took home a 12-3 victory.

Game 7 – Vienna Eskimos Knighthawks

MVP's: Riggins Legier & Jack Ambrose

In the final game before the CBLL takes its holiday break, the Knighthawks were matched up against the undefeated Vienna Eskimos. Despite the Eskimos being the top team in the league, it was the Knighthawks that got on the board first, with Jack Ambrose kicked off the scoring early on. Elliot Rhines quickly responded for the Eskimos, but Tommy Leland scored back-to-back goals to keep the Knighthawks in control. The Knighthawks continued to score, including a slick finish from Ambrose, and brought a 5-2 lead into the end of the first period. The Eskimos kept battling and were able to go on a small run, led by Riggins Legier’s play in both ends. Two more goals from Tommy Leland ended that momentum, and after James Thomas tacked on another score, the Knighthawks led by a three-goal margin at 8-5 heading into the third period. Liam Kozanecki opened up the scoring for the Knighthawks to bring their lead to four, but Bryce Hodge ended the run with a highlight reel goal of his own. Unfortunately for the Eskimos, Tommy Leland continue to dominate possession with his prowess at the faceoff X.