Minor midget rep Knights pull even, then fall to Markham
Submitted by NobleKing Minor Hockey Association
The NobleKing minor midget rep Knights were unable to win their third game in a row last Wednesday against Markham and extend their OMHA playoff run.

The Knights fell 1-0 and were unable to score, despite completely dominating the offensive play in every period.

Head Coach Matt Birks made some tough decisions as he guided his Knights to victory twice the previous weekend.

The team had recently won their division for the third straight year at the NobleKing Challenge Cup tournament. As a result, they entered the first round of the OMHA playoffs along with eight other NobleKing rep teams, with some optimism. However, they quickly found themselves down two games to none and facing elimination. This team of 15-year-olds showed solid character and won the next two to tie the series 2-2 after four games.

The Markham Waxers finished in sixth place in the league and the Knights finished seventh during the regular season.

In the first game, the Knights fell 5-4 after scoring four straight goals to take the lead early in the third period. Markham tied the game late in the third with less than three minutes left, and then scored again less than 30 seconds into overtime. Goalie Tristan Bronca kept the Knights in the game long enough to get the lead before eventually losing the opener. Goals came from Daniel Angeloni, Christopher Zuzek, Eric Pia and Max Strohmeier. Assists went to Kyle McKay with a pair, Strohmeier, Peter Zanchettin, Christopher Edey and Angeloni.

In the second match, the home team Knights were tied at a goal apiece with their foes after two periods, on a goal by Anthony Saraceni, assisted by Justin Donnelly. The Waxers took the lead midway through the third and won the game 2-1.

The third game was a must win for the Knights, and they prevailed 4-3. Angeloni scored two after the opener from Edey before the game winner from Zuzek. Leading 2-1 heading into the third period, the Knights and Waxers each scored two in the third with opponents getting their third with 30 seconds left in the game. Three Knights' assists came from Strohmeier, while Pia and Elmhirst got one apiece. Goalies Mark Del Favero and Bronca split games two and three respectively. The Markham Head Coach was suspended for two games during the third match after a raging outburst disputing a goal with the referee. The defensive squad including Adam Gatto, Mike Baccilieri, Shane Schofield, Mark McLean, Justin Donnelly and James Elmhirst played solid to earn the win in that match.

The fourth outing was another must-win game Sunday evening in King City with Mark Del Favero between the pipes. After two scoreless periods, the Waxers scored 30 seconds into the third to take the lead. Then Saraceni scored with less than two minutes left in this nail biter after a rush down the left wing with linemates Edey and Strohmeier. Then 30 seconds later, Shane Schofield scored the winning goal on a shot from the point that totally silenced the Waxers. Assists went to Strohmeier and Edey. These five players including Mark McLean were on for both goals late in the third as Birks' line choices paid off.

Angeloni played both forward and defense in fourth game with a solid performance. The offensive lines which include Edey, Benny Zappia, McKay, Strohmeier, Pia, Peter Zanchettin, Zuzek, Saraceni and Donnelly kept excellent pressure on throughout the game to earn this victory. Cam Ross and Andy Ostrowski helped Matt Birks out on the bench

The team now moves over to the regional playoffs for the York Simcoe Championship. Their next four games will be a roundrobin affair that ends Feb. 11, with Barrie and Stouffville before the actual playoffs begin. The team lost 4-0 to Barrie Sunday with four players missing.