Copyright © 2002 Team ZOG Enterprises
DATE: 4/23/02
THE ZOGS FINISH THE SEASON SECOND TO NONE!!!
PORTLAND, ME - In what can only be described as the most clutch performance in team history, the ZOGS rallied from a one goal deficit to beat Freightliner 3-2 in regulation for their first ever PIA C League Championship. Four minutes into the first period, the ZOGS tallied the first goal of the game as forward Rob Carrier found fellow ZOG James Gilbert on the far post. Gilbert shot the puck off the goalie's right pad and hammered home his own rebound for his fifth goal of the playoffs.
Play continued to be fairly even until ZOGS defenseman Bill Reynolds was called for slashing. On the ensuing powerplay, Freightliner poked a loose puck over the left pad of ZOGS goaltender Tim Dominick to tie the score at one. The score remained that way until a costly turnover at center ice by the ZOGS resulted in a breakaway for Freightliner's best forward, who rented Dominick for Freightliner to take a 2-1 lead. Once Freightliner scored the go ahead goal, they dropped back into a defensive mode for the remainder of the second period, seemingly content to take home a 2-1 victory. This would prove to be a fatal mistake.
Two minutes and fifteen seconds into the third period, ZOGS forward Andrew Bradford fought through a scrum to knock home the tying goal. A mere 0:23 later, Bradford again slid the puck through a number of skaters and past the Freightliner netminder for what proved to be the game winner. Not to be outdone however, Freightliner tried to attempt a comeback. With 3:39 on the clock, Gilbert took a double minor for slashing that put Freightliner on the powerplay for the remainder of regulation. However, the ZOGS defense, not willing to surrender the lead that the offense had fought menacingly for, stood its ground. Being down a man, the ZOGS took every opportunity to ice the puck. Whatever shots Freightliner did have were either blocked by ZOGS skaters or turned away by Dominick with some solid saves. After three and a half tense minutes with the ZOGS fans going crazy in the stands banging cymbals, the puck was tied up in the corner, and the ZOGS had achieved their goal. They completed the most successful season in team history by winning their last six games in a row, including five straight in the playoffs, and took home the cup!
Please welcome your 2002 PIA C League Champions, the ZOGS!!!
NEWS OF NOTE: A big thank you to all the fans that showed up for the Championship game. Your cheering and support truly pulled us through the third period. You were our seventh man.
TRANSACTIONS: -none-