01/29/2020
STANLEY KEG CHAMPIONS
Cannolis - 4
Legendary Blades - 3
In the upset of the year, the undefeated Legendary Blades were upended by the Cannolis in the Stanley Keg Final. Coming into the game as a heavy underdog, the Cannolis would have to play close to a perfect game and capitalize off the Blades mistakes. In a game meant for the movie Slap Shot, the Cannolis pulled out the victory!
In the first, the Blades took an early lead when a shot from the top of the left circle snuck past goalie, Jared Thackxton. The Blades, used to putting up numerous goals, were held to 1 in the first period.
In the second period, the Blades would extend their lead to 2-0 on a rebound in the crease. Despite this, the Cannolis were outshooting the Blades and controlling the pace of the game.
The Blades started the third period with another goal and took a commanding 3-0 lead. With 4:00 minutes remaining in regulation, the Blades were on a power play when Bobby Brady was sprung for a breakaway and score to make the game 3-1. A cross check shortly thereafter would result in a power play for the Cannolis and the craziness ensued.
Scott Fulsom was in front of the net on the power play when he was violently cross checked by the Blades goalie. While trying to get a rebound, Fulsom, fell on top of the Blades goalie who removed his gloves and began beating Fulsom worse than Scotty’s wife when he refuses to do laundry. The Blades goalie was ejected from the game and the Blades would have to play the remaining game without a goaltender.
With 41 seconds left, the Cannolis pulled their goalie and Damien Windholz scored a goal with 20 seconds left. 6 seconds later, Jonathan Morciglio netted his 4th of the playoffs to tie the game 3-3 as the game went to overtime.
In overtime, Morciglio buried a goal to cap off an insane game and first Upper C Season at Bellevue. The Cannolis 4-3 win is their first Stanley Keg since their inception in 2016.
Fulsom was tossed from the game before the dramatic comeback and we caught up to him in the locker room to see what he thought about the overtime victory. Fulsom said, “Wait...we won? I was just crying in the shower because this is all my fault”. Jared Thackxton said after the win, “Maybe now you all won’t talk about my 5-hole all the time”. Finally, Morciglio spoke about his two goals saying, “That was so much easier to score goals without their goalie. I wish the net was always empty”.
The Cannolis start their next session to defend their crown on February 9, 2020 at 6:00 PM against the Legendary Blades. All fans in attendance will get a crisp high five from Damien Windholz who does not believe in fist bumps. See you at the Rink!