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| July 19, 2003
By Jim Anderson
Finals, Day 2
Finals in full swing as NARCh continues its run in Estero
|  Mite, Junior and Senior Divisions complete their preliminary round play and the Skills Competition begin as we complete our 2nd day of play here in scenic Estero, Florida.
Web casting is in full swing and we were live a good portion of the day from the Arena, if you missed it we’ll be at it again starting in the morning.
The Atom’s would get their start today and CCM Team Innovative, Tour Bordercats and Gulf Coast Storm would all post victories, while the SIHA Stallions and Lexington Snake Eyes would each earn a point in their 2-2 tie. Tomorrow’s games should help us sort out the teams as they go deeper into pool play.
In the Mite division, it was the Nike OC Blades ’93 who claimed the top seed over the AKS Empire ’92 based on their goals against as each team skated through the first round with an undefeated record. The Blades are looking to avenge their recent TPC Finals loss to the Empire. The Blades had a closer game this morning as they held off the SIHA Stallions by a 2-0 score. The Gulf Coast Storm and Roller Rebels were the 2 Florida teams to advance to the playoffs with the Rebels clinching the #8 seed and the Storm finishing in the #6 slot.
In the Pee Wee’s the TSA Twisted Wristers dropped a close 3-1 game to the ’89 Team Breakaway to fall from the ranks of the undefeated. The Labeda Militia continued their winning ways though along with the Mission Raiders, who returned only 4 players from their winning team last year. Hotwheels (TX) tied their 2nd game of the tournament, a 2-2 battle against the Rush as did the Chula Vista Golden Eagles who tied the ISCA Grizzlies 1-1. Not to be forgotten the York Region Magic Windows, noticeable off the rink in their yellow shirts, also remained undefeated with a strong effort over the CPH Fusion.
The Bantam’s also began play this afternoon and the Northern Colorado Blast and Tour Nor Cal Mavericks Gold played a great game on the Blue rink. People were watching from the stairs as the Blast held off the Mavs by a 3-2 score in a fast paced contest. Also looking good in their openers were the Nike Buffalo Wings and Mission Patriots.
Junior’s saw the Rivermen stay undefeated with a 4-1 win over Team Octane along with the K-Tek Kondors who defeated the Mission Patriots Blue. The Labeda Knights of Corona won as well today, raising their record to 2-0 with 2 games tomorrow, as they closed out the games today with a 9-3 win over the East End Saints. Getting back into the playoff race this evening was CPH Black, who are now 2-1 after wins over the ISCA Grizzlies and Tour Nor Cal Mavericks.
It’s official in the women’s division, Team Misconduct is the team to beat after they defeated the Fierce Bubbles by a 4-2 score in a game that featured as much after the whistle action as the typical NARCh PRO game and tied the Rocky Mountain Fury 2-2, later in the evening. Finishing with a 3-0-1 record, they have claimed the #1 seed in tomorrow’s Women’s Final, where they will play the CPH Mission Vixens. In their matchup Thursday, the Misconduct played nearly a mistake free game as they defeated the Vixens by a 1-0 score. As we all know, its very hard to beat the same team twice at the Finals and CPH will be going for the sweep, having already won their division in Las Vegas this past January. If you can’t be there, check it out on NARChTV tomorrow at 4:20 pm edt.
No pressure in the Senior division as only the playoff fate of 4-5 teams hung in the balance of the BC Blur vs. Magic Windows game at 12:05AM. As teams finished they would make their way to the standings boards to see if they would be among the top 10 advancing to the next round. Taking the top spot would be Greasy Joe’s Bottomless BBQ Pit who edged out the also undefeated Madhatters by virtue of fewer goals allowed throughout the opening 4 games. Finishing in the #3 spot would be the Irvine Raiders, who’s only slip up in the prelims was a 5-5 tie with the St. Louis Blast. Omni St. Louis would finish in the #4 slot as they would allow only 9 goals and 5 of them were against the ‘Raiders, just behind them would be the St.Louis Blast and then EPROSHOP.com.
While most of these seeds were cut and dry it would be #’s 7-10 that would provide the intrigue. First to the boards would be the Chiefs who dropped their final game to the Raiders, but kept in mind that goals against would be a big factor, as they never overplayed the puck in the games waning minutes. Having allowed 12 goals over 4 games, the odds were in their favor as long as certain teams won out. The Czech Mates Radegast team would comeback to win 8-4 over the Yeungling Elite group, however they had given up 16 goals and were tied with the Chiefs in points.
So it would come down to the BC Blur who would clinch a playoff spot with a win or tie and the Magic Windows who needed a win along with needing a shutout just to have chance. They would jump out to an early 3-1 lead only to allow the Blur back into the game in the 2nd half. The Windows would pull their goalie with 3 minutes left in a last ditch effort to pull out the win and the Blur would score soon after to take the lead, only to see it go a couple minutes later. The Blur would finish in the #8 seed, with a matchup against the defending champions Chicago Magic. Also the Bogotá Capitals, the #7 seed, will meet the #10 Chiefs in the 2nd play in game to see who advances to the quarterfinals to play the top 2 seeds.
Comeback of the Day: BC Blur vs. Team Yeungling Elite, down 4-2 with just under 3 minutes remaining, the Blur storm back and score 4 goals in just over 2 minutes to stun Yeungling and win by a 6-4 score.
Did anyone see? The NARCh and Nike mascots in the breakaway contest of the Skills Competition?
Deals Deals Deals: For those who haven’t shown up yet, NARCh Sponsors are offering some great savings on equipment.
Webcast Highlights for Saturday: Atom games and Skills comps before the Women’s Final at 4:20, some new play by play announcers this year.
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