Home sweet home
Mark Sakalauskas
Published on
Mar 14, 2008
McCoys continue to reap benefits from friendly arena
As the hotly contested Major League hockey championship hangs in the balance, the scene is ready to shift back to J.L Grightmire Arena, a place that has been unwelcome to visitors since October.
In getting to the league summit, the Dundas Real McCoys' home play was a major factor in the ascent. During the regular season, the Real McCoys won 11 of 15 games on home ice and only encountered two regulation losses. As the MLH playoffs now near a conclusion, the McCoys have carried the momentum into the postseason. Dundas is a perfect 4-0 in their own building in the playoffs to date and have an impressive 11-1 record in their last 12 at Grightmire.
Tonight, when they host the Brantford Blast in Game 5, the McCoys have an opportunity to inch one step closer to the ultimate prize, a trip to the 100th Allan Cup tournament.
After cruising through Tillsonburg in a competitive, but quick, four-game semi-final, the Real McCoys have continued to flourish in the finals against Brantford. Opening was a tight 4-1 win that saw Dundas explode with a three-goal third period. Game 2 will be replayed because Dundas won a review by the Ontario Hockey Association that concluded Brantford used an ineligible player.
The series resumed in Dundas on Sunday night, and the McCoys coaching staff decided to revert to their revolving door between the pipes and struck gold big time. Scott Dickie was the story in a 6-2 triumph, kicking aside 39 shots.
Helping out the goaltending was a quick strike offence that soared in the first period. Rob DeCiantis, a perennial playoff star for the Real McCoys, and Brandon Merli scored two goals each in a span of 2:35 to open up a 4-0 lead that Brantford could not overcome. Mike Kennedy and Ryan Christie added second-stanza goals, while Jooris continued his spectacular play, collecting three assists. The win gave Dundas a 2-0 lead in the best of seven series.
When the Real McCoys and Blast square off tonight, a perfect home record might not be the only thing on the line for Dundas. A verse in the next chapter of the Senior AAA hockey playoffs may be ready for writing led by the title of 2008 Major League Hockey Champions.
Last night's replay of Game 2 result will let everyone know if the Robertson Cup is indeed in the Grightmire building tonight.