via Around the Rink
Yes boys and girls the Big Bad Bears are Bogart Cup bound! The CCHL finals (The Bogart Cup) will start Sunday in Carleton Place and it should be a dandy. Better get there early to get a seat, they will be at a premium.
The Bears advanced as a result of their solid victory last night before a packed house (that brought back lots of memories, good and bad) !
You may recall, and it might be worth going back to read, the story I wrote about the Ottawa Jr Sens back last fall. ( http://hughdemand.com/wordpress/?p=13010 ). The gist of the story was who was going to stop the Jr Sens, now that they had added Chris King and Derek Boudreau. Well guess what, last night it was Chris King who turned on his old team by notching a pair of goals for the Bears and being selected first star.
I have always been a fan of Michael Buonocontri and he played well, despite being unable to control a rolling/bouncing puck on an early breakaway. Nice to see Taylor Henry play with Michael and be on the ice in all the key situations as the game wound down. How key was he? Well he was mistakenly fingered by the referee for an infraction that was actually committed by Buonocontri and he proceeded to the box. Buononcontri buttonholed the referee, said it was indeed he who had committed the offense and after much discussion, Michael went to the box which allowed Henry, as their main man on PK, to come back on the ice and perform his duties. I was impressed !
Buonocontri did score the empty netter and Taylor picked up the assist.
Talked to Jason Clarke last night and he is indeed breathing a little easier these days after that tough series with the Lumber Kings. His team has proved they can win, and come back to win, in playoffs. Several of the Canadian's players were in attendance as well. I did notice Andy Sturtz strolling through our section.
It would appear that Mark Grady has assembled a very good collection of talent and they should be up to the task to challenge the pennant winning CP Canadians. Parking was at a premium last night in the Falls so seats will be even scarcer in Carleton Place on Sunday. You have been forewarned.
Photos courtesy of Terry Halpenny and the CCHL
