The Shiretown Blogger: Slammers claim Kent Cup in game 7, winning in triple OT

The Woodstock Slammers were victorious in game seven of the 2012 Kent Cup Final on Friday, April 20th.

To say that the atmosphere inside the Carleton Civic Centre on Friday, April 20th was exciting would be a massive understatement.

The crowd of 1,302 people flew out of their seats Friday night as the Woodstock Slammers edged the Yarmouth Mariners 4-3 in triple overtime in game seven of the Kent Cup Final.

The 2012 championship marks the third time the Slammers have won the Kent Cup on home ice, claiming it in 2006 and 2010. This is also the second time the Slammers have won it in three years.

Slammers head coach Jason Tatarnic was ecstatic with Woodstock's victory.

"I'm so happy for our guys. They deserved this championship," Tatarnic stated in a press release on the Slammers' website. "They started this journey in September and this chapter ended tonight."

Tatarnic added that their journey isn't really over yet, as the Slammers are preparing to head to Kanata, Ontario to compete for the Fred Page Cup.

"We're going to enjoy this tonight, and on Sunday, we are going to start a new chapter."

"On behalf of the [Slammers] organization, I want to say thank you to all of our loyal fans, volunteers, and support staff."

Former Slammer Justin Bowers returned to Woodstock on Friday night and opened the contest with a ceremonial puck drop. Upon an announcement that Bowers' number nine will be retired sometime during the 2012-2013 season, Mackenzie Brown presented Bowers with a number nine sweater. Brown wore number nine throughout the 2011-2012 season, and will now don the number eighty one.

Justin Bowers

Mackenzie Brown skates back to the Slammers' bench after presenting Bowers with a number nine sweater.

Bowers showing off his sweater to the crowd

Preparing to put on the number nine sweater

Bowers puts on the number nine sweater while Andrew Langan waits for the ceremonial face-off

Ceremonial puck drop

Bowers among members of the crowd

After a scoreless first period, Andrew Wigg opened the scoring on a power play only nine seconds into the middle frame.

Robert Visca had an answer forty two seconds later, getting the Slammers on the board fifty one seconds into the second period and deadlocking the score at one.

Jake Logan broke the deadlock nearly three minutes into period three. Zack Henry tied the game at two at 7:16.

Robert Visca scored for the second time in Friday night's contest over a minute later, breaking the tie and making the score 3-2 in favour of the Slammers.

Things looked like the Slammers would be victorious in regulation play, but the Mariners had other priorities. Jared Hicks scored Yarmouth's third goal with forty two seconds remaining in the third frame, forcing extra time.

Ten minutes was added to the clock, and the overtime battle began. Despite many scoring opportunities, neither team was able to end the battle for the 2012 Kent Cup in the first period of sudden death OT. Two penalties were called seventeen seconds apart late in the period, with both teams playing even strength until Jared Hicks' penalty expired. Nick Huard remained in the sin bin for another seventeen seconds.

A 20-minute overtime period would follow after the ice was resurfaced at the end of the early period. When it failed to decide a winner, a third one was necessary.

With 17:07 showing on the clock in the third OT, Robert Visca beat Charles Grant, achieving a hat trick, which also was the game winner. The 1,300-strong crowd was sent off their seats as the goal was scored and the Slammers' on-ice celebration began.

Grant was named playoff MVP, despite falling in the seventh game of the final round. Grant was largely the reason for the majority of games finishing with a one or two-goal difference.

Of 52 shots faced, Matt Murphy refused 49 for the win, while Charles Grant blocked 55 of 59 shots in the losing effort.

The Slammers found themselves on a man-advantage on three different occasions, but failed to utilize on any of them, while the Mariners scored on 1/4 of their power play opportunities.

As a result of the Kent Cup victory, the Slammers would have an opportunity to represent the MHL in the Fred Page Cup, being hosted in Kanata, Ontario from April 25-29th. The Fred Page tournament would also feature the host Kanata Stallions, the Princeville Titans (champions of the Ligue De Hockey Junior AAA Du Quebec, and the Central Canada Hockey League champions. Results will be posted in an upcoming post on The Shiretown Blogger.

With files from www.slammershockey.ca and www.themhl.ca

TENSE MOMENTS: Sam Renault keeps a straight face as Slammers Head Coach Jason Tatarnic outlines his game plan for the final stage of the game on Friday, April 20th.

The Slammers celebrating after Robert Visca's game-winning goal earned them the Kent Cup

Nick Huard (left) and Andrew Langan celebrating the victory

Slammers players Matt Murphy (left) and Noah Zilbert shake hands with Yarmouth players Nick Booth (#20) and Derek Larade (#61) after last Friday's game.

Ben Miller chatting with Charles Grant during the handshake

Slammers President and MHL Governor Andrew McCain shakes hands with Yarmouth Mariners team staff

Yarmouth Mariners - 2012 Kent Cup Finalists

From left: Andrew Schriver, Robert Visca, Tim Campbell

From left: Phillip Fife, Andrew Schriver, Connor Tresham, Robert Visca and Tim Campbell

Jake Logan showing off the Kent Cup for the crowd while Slammers team photographer Derek Croney (left) and Bugle-Observer reporter Bryan Tait take snapshots of Logan's celebration