BostonFest tournament, game 3

Dawn Patrol Fall To Cutting Edge, 4-1

Dawn Patrol Fall To Cutting Edge, 4-1 Matthews Arena, BOS - The boys in gold gave it a valiant effort, but in the end fell just short, losing to Cutting Edge by a misleading 4-1 score. As in the opener, the game was much tighter than the final score would indicate. And it was also a very physical battle, with three matching penalties dealt out, as well as numerous power plays, especially by the Dawn Patrol. But they are unable to capitalize on the extra man, and had their championship game hopes dashed on the rocky shores of reality.

Rob Haley made his presence felt early on, when he intercepted a clearing pass in the Cutting Edge zone. His pass found a well positioned Matt Penny, who picked his spot and buried the wrister, giving the Dawn Patrol the 1-0 lead with about 9 minutes left in the first period. Play was physical, with both sides sealing off the boards and battling hard for the lose pucks. The first period ended with the guys in gold up, 1-0, and they definitely had the edge in play, forcing the Cutting Edge goalie to make several outstanding stops.

The second period proved to be more even, as both goalies were called upon to make some good stops. Finally, Cutting Edge evened the score when the right winger fired a wrister through traffic. It somehow eluded all the legs in front and also goalie Jonathan Arnold, as it clicked off his skate and went in for the tying goal. The second period ended with the teams deadlocked at 1.

The physical play continued into the third period, and Cutting Edge began to create some serious pressure on the Dawn Patrol. They finally got the go ahead goal during a 3 on 2 rush. The winger used the other two Cutting Edge skaters as picks and came across the middle untouched. He fired the puck low and to the far side, where it eluded goalie Arnold's pad, giving Cutting Edge their first lead with about 10 minutes left in the game.

Another odd man rush found the Cutting Edge left winger cutting through the goal crease. He was able to make the corner on the Dawn Patrol defense and goalie Arnold's poke check was ineffective. The winger deftly tucked the puck between the sprawling goalie's legs, giving Cutting Edge a commanding 3-1 lead.

The final tally for Cutting Edge came on another odd man rush, this time a conventional two on one. The wrister from the right winger was blocked away by Arnold, but it went right on the stick of the charging Cutting Edge center, who one timed it into the Dawn Patrol goal, sealing the victory and a place in tomorrow's final.

It was a physical, almost chippy game, but an even one for most of it. The Dawn Patrol lost a key member of the squad, when Tim Retelle had his foot knocked from under him, twisting his back and forcing him to the locker room. There were several other titanic battles for position, but everyone felt it was a good, hard fought battle.

So the BostonFest 2006 tourament comes to a close for our gold clad heroes. They ended the tourney at 1-2, but felt each of the losses was a winnable game and are already looking forward to next year's tournament. Thanks for all the fan support, with a special shoutout to Roger Hamson for cheering us on Friday afternoon, Phil Mancuso for his 100% attendance in the stands, as his DL stint forced him off the ice this year, and to Jay DiIorio for also coming down for a game to watch from the DL. See you all next year!

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