SEMI FINALS
Malton Mavericks eliminate ML Predators
Game 1: Preds def Mavs 2-1 SO
Game 2: Mavs def Preds 5-0
Game 3: Mavs def Preds 1-0
The Malton Mavericks are going to the big dance for the 3rd time in their franchise history and they did it with a vengeance Saturday night. After dropping a shocker 2-1 in shooouts in game 1, they came out firing and were absolutely unstoppable the rest of the way. The man of the hour was none other than Divesh Sharma as he preyed on the Predators all night scoring a hattrick with Art Ross trophy winner Adil Patel assisting on all of them. The Preds couldn't get anything going at the other end of the rink and the only aspect of the game they were scoring in was the penalty box as players were taking turns going to the box all night, even their coach. In game 3, it was Sharma again who was set up by a diving Adil Patel who then walked into the slot and fired a laser past Zakariya Chauhan to win the game and give them a berth in the Makkah Cup finals.
WATCH THE OT WINNER HERE
ML Predators def Malton Mavericks: 2-1 SO
Preds lead series 1-0
Not many gave a chance for the Predators even having a sniff at a victory but they believed enough in themselves to make it happen. The Predators could not afford to make any mistakes against the number 1 Mavericks and they played a well disciplined gamed that saw them take ZERO penalties and their opponents taking two. This would be vital as it allowed ML to comeback from an early 1-0 defecit on a goal by Divesh Sharma. Predators goalie Zakiriya Chauhan was tested thoroughly in the first and withstood the onslaught and his team mates would return the favor peppering Malton netminder Riaz Parekh in the 2nd period and he would turn all but one shot off a scramble with all but 5 seconds left to play that saw Mahir Bharucha tap in the ball out of a face off scrum that sent the game into OT and the Preds bench into pandemonium. The Mavs would out shoot ML in OT but shoot-outs would be required and both Mahir Bharucha and Abdul-Wahab Khawaja would score for ML while the big guns of the Mavericks would go silent as the Predators pull off the upset and take a 1 game series lead.
Maton Mavericks VS ML Predators
Game 1 : November 26 @ 7:20pm
The ML Predators played their hearts out last weekend winning both knock out games against their opponents and they will have to carry that and more against a much more well-refined team in the Mavericks of Malton. Grabbing the first seed in Tier 2 is no easy feat as everything must come together such as offence, defence and goaltending and the Mavs possess all of those weapons to make a push towards the Makkah Cup. But don't count out the Predators just yet. They may not score much and when they do they are the most stingiest teams to play against. Just ask Durham as they were shocked going in as the hottest team and now seeing themselves on the outside looking in. These young beasts are able to run with the best of them and their mentality has finally kicked in, in playing better defensively to protect their ground in front of their goalie and also disciplined so as to not give their opponents any opportunity they can capitalize on. ML however will have their hands full as they will go up against a potent offense as the trio of Adil Patel, Shoaib Rangrez and Divesh Sharma are able to change the game just by themselves. And with goaltending like Riaz Parekh and a relentless defensive crew that blocks shots at will, this will be a series that could potentially spell which team will hoist the Makkah Cup.
