Bracknell went into the last (ever?) derby match with Brian Greer in goal and missing Scotty Campbell (suspended) and Derek DeCosty (salmanela - sp?). Didn't hear the scratches for the Bison, but Baird was announced and never touched the ice, whilst Racicot started in nets for them.
A fairly quick start by both teams, which was settle when Shane McCosh took a tripping penalty after 4:33. Bison looked comfortable playing it about and it took less than 20 seconds for them to make the advantage count. Conway found Gatto behind the goal line, and he was able to cut in from the boards straight out in front of goal and shoot. Greer stopped the first shot but it was easy for Gatto to tap home the puck for the goal. The goal spurred the Bees forward, and they had much the better of the play for the rest of the period. Their dominance was rewarded 3 minutes after the goal, thanks to a Bison mistake. Brian Pellerin had tried to dump the puck into the Bison's zone for Colin Ward to chase onto. One of the Bison defender's stopped the puck on the boards about halfway into the zone and was challenged by a Bees player. In an attempt to clear the puck, he played it square in front of net, expecting his defensive partner to be there. However, the puck actually came to Colin Ward, totally unmarked, who was able to skate in on net and slot home.
Bracknell kept up the pressure for the period and, after 12:29, they took the lead for the first time. With Bracknell able to keep the puck in the zone for a long time, Junkin played it back to Todd Kelman on point. Todd let rip a viscious shoton goal, where Pellerin was standing to get an excellent knock-down past a stranded Racicot. Excellent goal. Bracknell had further chances to take the lead in the period, including two powerplays, but unfortunately the play with the extra man was terible, and the second powerplay was spent mainly just trying to clear their own zone. Also, late in the period, a mistake by Colin Ward and Dave Whistle in the neutral zone saw the puck shoot back into Bracknell's zone with no defenders near by. Strachan chased through, and Greer was forced to come out to clear. He reached the puck first, but his clearence smacked into Strachan's legs and left him stranded. A fortunate bounce, however, saw Strachan forced to go wide, although he still had the chance to turn and shoot on goal, his attempt soaring high and wide. So, the first period ended with Bracknell deservedly 2-1 up.
Into the second, and it took the Bison only 1:26 to equalise. A quick break by Basingstoke saw Conway play the puck to Gatto for a 2-on-1. Gatto skated hard on net but Greer stacked the pads and blocked the shot. Unfortunately the puck was left sitting in the crease and the first player there was the trailing Conway, who only had to touch the puck for the goal. Strangely, a second asist was given to Racicot. However, watching the video later, it was clear that Racicot played it forward to Black, who sent it out to Conway, forward to Gatto, then Conway got the goal. Surely, there should be no assists of a goalie anyway? But if there are, how can there be a second assist, when the goal scorer was the last to touch it before the first assister? Strange. This was to be the only goal of the period, despite both teams having another two powerplays.
Into the third period, and both teams had early penalties. Bracknell went on the powerplay first, but lost the advantage after Cosher had to bring someone down to stop a break away. With both teams reduced to four men, the ice opened up and this suited Bracknell's style of play more. On came the second line, and some sharp play gave Bracknell the lead again. The Chief took the puck down the right wing and sent a strong centre pass to Joe Ferras standing on the far post, who tipped the puck behind the sprawling Racicot. Strangely, considering this was such a close game and it was a derby match, the atmosphere wasn't at all tense or hyped up. It took another nine minutes for the next incident of any note, when Bison again equalised through a poor goal. Joe Steffan was behind the goal line against the boards and flipped the puck into the crease. Somehow, under little or no pressure, Greer managed to get the puck caught under his feet and ended up kicking it into the net.
However, with overtime looming, Bracknell took the lead again, and for the final time, less than two minutes later. Cosher found Pelly near the goal, and he drove forward before forcing the puck past Racicot for the game winner. The Bison pulled Racicot for the last minute, but this just set up a hectic period for Bracknell. First Cosher won possession in our own zone and shot for the ENG, hitting the post and seeing it go wide. Bees kept harrying the Bison, and stealing possession, and ended up having about two or three shots cleared or stopped on the line before the final hooter went.
So, overall not the best game, but nice that the last game at the playground and the last goal at the playground both go in Bees favour. The Bison fans seemed louder than I've ever heard them before (still not that loud of course). Some words by Pat Asman and Rick Strachan after the match, thanking the fans for all their support and basically saying goodbye. Personally, I really hope the Bison survive, at any level for now. I would hate to lose the rivalry, the derby matches, the easy two points.....
Both number 22s won the MOMs, Pelly for the Bees and Gatto for the Bison. However, once again Shane McCosh was excellent for Bracknell whilst Chief had an above average match too. Still, with two goals and an overall good performance, I won't complain with the choice of Pelly. Bison seemed unsuprisingly subdued, and very few players really stood out. With a hand in two of the goals, I suppose Gatto was the obvious choice. Smart had an OK match, but the game never really reached the usual phsyical intensity of a derby match. As usual, he ignored a lot of slashing and hooking, which slowed the game down and so reduced the entertainment value, but then I'm coming to expect it from him now. Overall, a satisyfying result. The two wins over the Bison are Bracknell's first ever play-off wins in the top league which, after equaling our hisghest ever finish of fifth and making our first ever senior final, certainly confirms this as Bracknell's most successful ever season.
Now we just have to hope that we can keep our players over the summer.....