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| Woodstock Slammers players, coaches and team staff posing for a picture with the Fred Page Cup after edging the Nepean Raiders 3-2 in the tournament championship game. Photo courtesy Robert Lefebvre (www.icelevel.com) |
The Woodstock Slammers made team history at the 2012 Fred Page Cup tournament.
Achieving a single win in the FPC event is also something to record in the Slammers' history books. The Woodstock squad participated in the FPC in 2006, but finished with an unfortunate 0-3-0 record in the Pembroke, Ontario event.
The Slammers also took part in the 2010 FPC tournament. In the Brockville, Ontario event two years ago, the Slammers faced a similar fate to the tournament four years previous, leaving early with another 0-3-0 record.
Due to the somewhat limited period of time between Slammers' contests in the FPC and other commitments, The Shiretown Blogger was unable to post results from each game. As a result, The Shiretown Blogger is compiling a recap from each game up to and including the championship match, held on Sunday, April 29th at 2 pm at the Kanata Recreational Complex in Kanata, Ontario.
Woodstock Slammers edge Kanata Stallions 4-3
The Slammers were able to face the host Kanata Stallions in their first game of the tournament, held on Wednesday, April 25th.
Robert Visca opened the scoring on a power play at 10:13 in the contest. Visca was the hero on Friday, April 20th, achieving a hat trick in game seven of the 2012 Kent Cup Final, and scoring the game winner 2:53 into triple overtime.
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| Robert Visca (#16) chatting with Nick Huard (#13) during a Slammers home game in the 2011-2012 regular season. |
Seven seconds after Visca got the Slammers on the board, Kanata d-man Carl-Philippe Ouimet responded, tying things at one.
Visca broke the tie at 11:06, restoring the Slammers' lead with the help of Evan Carmody and Chris Rygus, who chipped in with assists.
Just over a minute into the middle frame, Stallions winger Devin Cobbold deadlocked the score at two.
Kanata took the lead for the first time in Wednesday night's contest, after Derian Plouffe increased the score to 3-2 in the Stallions' favour seven and a half minutes into period two.
But Phillip Fife tied the game again at 8:37 in the third period, making the score 3-3.
With three minutes remaining, Nick Huard increased the score to 4-3 in Woodstock's favour. Huard's goal served as the deciding goal of the contest.
Matt Murphy refused 43 of 46 shots faced for the win, while Brandon Lane stopped 31 out of 35 shots faced in the back-and-forth game on Wednesday.
The Slammers went 2 for 4 on the man advantage, and were assessed a total of thirty penalty minutes, while the Stallions only utilized on 2 of 9 power plays, and received 22 penalty minutes.
Slammers Head Coach Jason Tatarnic was satisfied with Woodstock's performance in their first game of the FPC, where the Slammers won their first FPC game in team history.
"I thought we had a great start to the game," Tatarnic stated in a press release on the Slammers' website. "We used our size and size and strength down low to our advantage. Five-on-five, we were the better team tonight."
"We have to adjust to their standard of play with regard [to] what they consider infractions. You just have to adjust the best you can, [you're] in their house."
Tatarnic also stressed the importance of preparation and respect for his team heading into other competitions in the tournament.
"We have to be ready," Tatarnic stated. "I'm positive Princeville [Titan] will be ready today. They have a young team and they looked nervous in their first game."
"We respect them. They are a championship team, [and] we have to use our size to our advantage in a disciplined fashion and let our skilled guys use their skill."
Slammers defeat Princeville Titan 5-3
The Slammers faced the champions of the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League, the Princeville Titan, in their second game of the FPC.
Princeville winger Alexis Milette opened the scoring at 7:47, giving Princeville a 1-0 advantage after the first period
Slammers captain Andrew Langan responded, but not until 3:18 in the middle frame when he beat Charles-Etienne Martin on a shot after receiving a pass from Connor Tresham and Bradley Greene. Langan's goal got the Slammers on the board and deadlocked the score at one.
A minute and a half later, Robert Visca scored for the third time in the tournament after intercepting a pass from Nick Huard. Visca's goal busted the deadlock, giving the Slammers a 2-1 lead.
Ben MacSwain was penalized for a high stick at 5:44. Felix Bergeron wasn't willing to waste the power play opportunity, tying the score at two at 6:28.
Princeville's Kevin Boissonneault was sent to the penalty box for slashing at 7:09, giving the Slammers a man advantage. Visca took full advantage of the power play, beating Martin with some help from Nick Huard and Tim Campbell. Visca scored his second goal of the contest and restored Woodstock's one-goal lead.
Marc-Antoine Lessard beat Matt Murphy at 12:15, bringing the score to 3-3. Lessard tied the contest yet again, but his attempt was not sufficient to place the Titan ahead of the Slammers on the scoreboard.
Aided by Ryan Purvis and Chris Rygus, Zach Shannon restored the one-point difference in the Slammers' favour once more with 2:03 remaining on the clock.
Martin left the net for the Princeville bench with 1:17 remaining in the contest, leaving the Slammers with a great opportunity to increase their lead to two. The Slammers wasted little time doing so, and Visca rounded out the scoring using a hat trick goal on an empty net with 40 seconds remaining.
Murphy saw 29 shots in Thursday afternoon's contest, and said no to 26 of them, while Martin stopped 23 of 27 shots faced.
Despite being on the man advantage on nine different occasions, the Slammers only put the rubber between the posts once, while Princeville went 1 for 4 on the power play.
Slammers Head Coach Jason Tatarnic was satisfied with the Slammers' performance in the first period, but admitted that Princeville's power play goal took its toll on Woodstock's momentum.
"I thought we played very well, especially early on," Tatarnic stated in a press release on the team's website. "[But] a power play goal against slowed our momentum."
Tatarnic added that the Slammers took more control in the middle frame and took pride in their determination.
"In the second period, I thought we controlled the play. Our guys have shown some determination here, and that helped us in the third period to secure the win."
Slammers raid Nepean Raiders 3-2
The Slammers proved themselves in FPC round robin play, remaining undefeated 3-0-0 in preliminary play. Their third victory of the prelim round was secured on Friday, April 27th, when the Slammers edged the Nepean Raiders 3-2.
Craig Cowie opened the scoring on a power play at 17:03 in the first period, giving the Raiders a 1-0 lead. Around two and a half minutes later, Tim Campbell responded at 19:34 after Vincent Llorca went to the sin bin for holding the stick at 19:08, tying the score at one at the end of the first period.
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| Tim Campbell in a Slammers home playoff game in 2012 |
Campbell was named the MHL's top defenseman at the end of the 2011-12 season. He finished the regular season with 17 goals and 55 assists, and was considered the "best defenseman to play in the MHL and one of the best players overall" by his coach, Jason Tatarnic.
Robert Visca broke the tie at 7:14 in the second period, increasing the score to 2-1 in the Slammers' favour. This also was Visca's fifth goal of the tournament. Campbell and Zach Shannon pitched in with assists.
Jake Logan received a cross checking penalty eleven and a half minutes into the period, giving the Raiders a power play. Brent Norris received a pass from Keenan Hodgson and beat Matt Murphy with 28 seconds remaining in the power play, tying the score at two.
Shannon broke the deadlock at 15:17, restoring the Slammers' one-point lead and rounding out the scoring.
The third period remained scoreless, despite Dylan BrindAmour being pulled with 38 seconds of play left.
Murphy witnessed 32 attempts by the Raiders to slip the rubber past him. He prevented 30 of those attempts from coming to fruition, keeping the Slammers in the game. BrindAmour saw 33 shots, stopping 30 of them in the loss.
The Slammers were off on Saturday as a result of their victory on Friday, allowing them to rest and prepare for the championship on Sunday, April 29th.
Slammers Head Coach Jason Tatarnic saw the Slammers' performance on Friday as a way of doing what was needed, and Coach Tatarnic stuck to his ideology used throughout the FPC, emphasizing the use of size and skill to achieve things.
"We needed a big effort today and we got one from our players," Tatarnic stated. "We wanted to impose our will on them throughout the game. Our game plan was to use our size and strength in all three zones, and I think we achieved that today."
"We know we are in the final. Now its a wait-and-see situation."
Nepean was victorious on Saturday, defeating the Kanata Stallions 6-1, meaning that the Raiders would face the Slammers once again in the championship match.
Slammers recognized at Fred Page Cup banquet
Four Slammers received awards during the FPC awards banquet. Nick Huard, Zach Shannon and Matt Murphy were named to the FPC All-Star Team, and Robert Visca was named Tournament MVP.
Tatarnic was pleased overall with their recognition, but felt that a trip to the RBC Cup in Humbolt, Saskatchewan would mean more to them.
"We're very proud of our players," Tatarnic stated. "Its always nice to be recognized. But I know all of them would trade those accolades for a trip to nationals. Everyone has performed well and we will be looking for our biggest performance tomorrow."
Slammers edge Raiders 3-2, claim 2012 Fred Page Cup
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| Jake Logan is seen here showing the Slammers' newest piece of hardware, the Fred Page Cup, to fans. Woodstock's Brad McLaughlin and Steven Bridgeo can be seen behind the glass. Photo courtesy Robert Lefebvre (www.icelevel.com) |
For the first time in the organization's history, the Woodstock Slammers have been successful at the FPC.
In preliminary action, the Slammers were undefeated in all three games. But by edging the Nepean Raiders in the final contest, the Slammers were able to add the 2012 Fred Page Cup to their list of other successes, which includes three Kent Cups and four President's Cups.
Andrew Langan got things going at 6:49, with the assists being provided by Connor Tresham and Tim Campbell.
Craig Cowie deadlocked the score at one at 18:44, leaving things at 1-1 at the end of the first period.
Ryan Purvis wasted no time breaking the deadlock, scoring at 1:41 in the middle frame. Phillip Fife added the assist.
Ryan Johnston tied the game at two at 15:23. Kenneth Neil chipped in with the assist.
Sam Caldwell restored the Slammers' one-goal lead at 2:19 in the final period, sealing the Raiders' fate.
Despite many opportunities, neither team managed to alter the score for the remainder of the contest, allowing the Slammers to slide to a 3-2 victory and claim the 2012 Fred Page Cup.
Slammers Head Coach Jason Tatarnic was estatic with the victory.
"Our guys gave a championship effort today," Tatarnic stated in a press release on the team's website. "We played hard and we faced some adversity in the third period. Our guys were determined to get the job done and [they] did everything they could to do so."
Tatarnic admitted that being victorious in the FPC isn't easy.
"This is a very hard tournament to win on the road. We are very proud of every player. The Fred Page Cup is coming home to the Maritimes."
"On behalf of the players and organization, we want to say thank you to all of the fans that made the trip to Kanata, and to all the fans back home in Woodstock and to all the MHL fans across the Maritimes, and of course our Alumnus Dan Dooley, Austin Brown and Travis Crickard who made the trip to Kanata."
Team President Andrew McCain echoed Tatarnic's gratitude for the support demonstrated, and reassured fans in a press release on the Slammers' website that their words of encouragement do reach the players.
"We have received many texts, emails, phone calls and messages of support both to the staff and players," McCain stated. "We want our fans to know that the messages do get to the players. We appreciate the support we have received from the best fans in the MHL."
The Slammers were greeted in style at a large homecoming held on Monday, April 30th, which McCain said was "an opportunity for our fans and supporters to see the team with the new hardware." McCain added in his comments in a press release on www.slammershockey.ca that it was a time for pictures, autographs and a chance to see the squad prior to their departure for the Royal Bank Cup later this week.
The RBC Cup, scheduled for May 5th to May 13th in Humbolt, Saskatchewan, is the Slammers' next target. But they may be in for a rude awakening, as the RBC tournament consists of the best Junior "A" squads in the nation.
The Slammers were greeted in style at a large homecoming held on Monday, April 30th, which McCain said was "an opportunity for our fans and supporters to see the team with the new hardware." McCain added in his comments in a press release on www.slammershockey.ca that it was a time for pictures, autographs and a chance to see the squad prior to their departure for the Royal Bank Cup later this week.
The RBC Cup, scheduled for May 5th to May 13th in Humbolt, Saskatchewan, is the Slammers' next target. But they may be in for a rude awakening, as the RBC tournament consists of the best Junior "A" squads in the nation.
With files from www.slammershockey.ca , www.fpc.stats.pointstreak.com , and www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodstock_Slammers
