Submitted by:
Craig Zamzow |
The North Division champion Swan Valley Atom Broncos faced the West Division champion Russell Rams in game one of the Parkissimo League Finals on March 15, 2016.
Click any picture for a larger version.
Pictured Above: Team Photo: Far Back: Liam McArthur
Back Row: Henry Branconnier, Crystal Zamzow, Bailey Hunt, Landon Stevens, Nolan Woodward, Eli Betcher, Brady Burghart
Front Row: Noah Kopecky, Kash Henkelman, Kaden Ferland, McKenna Gray
Horizontal: Nate Immerkar
The scoreless first period featured a tight-checking, hardworking effort from both teams. Brady Burghart opened the scoring beating the Rams netminder with assists going to Kash Henkelman and Kaden Ferland with 6:43 left in the second period. The Rams tied the score at 1-1 on a heavy slap shot from the point that a screened Nate Immerkar couldn’t locate.
The teams went to the second intermission tied.
Five minutes into the third period the Ram’s most dangerous player found some open space in the offensive zone and wired a shot bar down to give the Rams their first lead. Midway through the period a Ram’s forward fired a centering pass from the corner that deflected into the corner of the Broncos net to extend the lead to 3-1.
The Broncos pulled their netminder, but couldn’t find the twine and the Rams left town with a 3-1 victory in game one.
Two nights later, the Broncos travelled to Russell for game two of the best of three final.
Coach Betcher provided an inspiring “Herb Brooks” speech pre-game and the Broncos once again came out flying.
They had the Rams hemmed in their own end for the first three shifts. Just under four minutes in, Brady Burghart fired a wrist shot (photo attached) that hit the goaltender in the shoulder with just enough zip to bounce over his shoulder and once again open the scoring for the Broncos.
The Rams showed their resiliency again with two rocket shots that found the back of the Broncos net to take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.The second period saw the Broncos create several quality chances, but they were unable to convert on several rebounds that were up for grabs. The Rams would score twice more in the period to extend the lead to 4-1. The teams each scored again in the third (Burghart again for the Broncos), before the Rams scored a meaningless goal in the final seconds for a 6-2 final.
Congratulations to the Broncos on a great season, finishing as finalist in the 22-team Parkissimo League Atom division.