Winter 2018 Award Winners
HAWKS EDGE FALCONS 9-8 IN FINALS THRILLER TO CAPTURE VERDI CUP!
Hawks defeat Falcons 9-8
Finals MVP Suhaib Shaikh (Inset)
Just by looking at the score, you can tell this was one hell of a Finals. The Hawks and Falcons brought their A game, and this could have gone either way. The 2018 Winter MMGL Verdi Cup Finals displayed some of the best hockey this league has to offer. GM Mohammed Kazi of the Hawks opted for a balanced approach in his draft, taking in both young stars and veterans. GM Abdul Manjra of the Falcons went with the players he knew would best deliver when push came to shove. The Falcons' Fahad Panchbhaya scored the first goal of the finals, but their defensive lapse allowed for Suhaib Shaikh to take control of the game. Shaikh would score a pair before GM Kazi and Abdullah Patel would net their own for a 4-1 lead. Divesh Sharma would get his team back in it with a goal before period end, trailing 4-2.
The second period saw a stronger push from the Falcons, tying the game with goals from Moose Khan and Shahid Butt. Both netminders, Abbas Shaikh and Mohammed AK, were playing some of the best they had to offer. The lead changed a number of times in the second, with both teams scoring back and forth. Arif Billa would net a pair for the Hawks, who were tied at 8 with six minutes left in play. Suhaib Shaikh would be the difference in this game, scoring the game winner for the Hawks. GM Abdul Manjra had a chance to tie with 40 seconds left in play, but hit the crossbar. Hawks win the 2018 winter season 9-8!
MVP of the game, without a doubt, went to Suhaib Shaikh for his impressive hat trick and defensive lockdown.
A special congratulations to all award winners, and to GM Mohammed Kazi on a successful season leading the Hawks.
Hawks Vs Falcons
Friday April 6th @ 9:15 pm
Malton Community Center
The Falcons and Hawks will be going at it in this season's MMGL Finals. The Verdi Cup is only two periods of play away for one team, while the other will have to put up with second place. In both regular season games, the Falcons have had the upperhand, winning by a margin by three. The Hawks will need to lock down on defense, keeping Abdul Manjra and Divesh Sharma in check. As for the Falcons, netminding seems to be firing on all cylinders, with AK leading the charge. Analysts are favoring the Falcons for the win, but the Hawks have pulled off the impossible in the semis to prove that this is anyone's game.
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Playoffs
Semi Finals
Falcons defeat Sharks 7-3
The Falcons and Sharks did not disappoint in the most anticipated game of the playoffs. The Falcons struck first with a pair from Muzammil Khan, but the Sharks' Rahman Rana was not keen to fall behind. He netted a pair to tie things up, before GM Abdul Manjra would tear it up with Divesh Sharma for the 4-2 lead. The Falcons were keen on shutting down Rana and company, while netminder AK did the rest. The second period was all Falcons with the Sharks only able to get one past AK. The Falcons win this one in a definitive manner, 7-3 to go onto the Finals.
Hawks defeat Jets 7-4
The Hawks and Jets was definitely a show that you shouldn't have missed. The Hawks started off with only one sub, and were without leading defenseman Suhaib Shaikh. The Jets may have had the full bench ready to go, but the Hawks struck first with a goal from Arif Hanslod. The Jets equalized with a goal from Pavan Dulai, but the Hawks kept going with what little they had for the 3-2 first period lead. The second period saw a pair from Zaheer Kazi, leaving the audience in awe, with Shoaib Rangrez and Omar Husain leading the defense. The Jets made a late push with a pair of goals to bring the score to 6-4. In the last minute, Arif Hanslod scored the goal to seal the 7-4 win. Shoutout to Abbas Shaikh for keeping the Jets scorers at bay.
Sharks vs Falcons @ 9:00 pm
The Falcons will take on the Sharks in the second round of the playoffs this week. The Sharks were able to capitalize on a short bench last week, and will be looking for another lucky break this week. The Falcons finished atop the league and will have no mercy. The Falcons have won both contests in the regular season by a margin of 3 goals.
Hawks vs Jets @ 10:10 pm
The Jets will take on the Hawks in what is hyped up to be the game to watch this playoffs. The Hawks have for too long under performed and will be looking to make a statement this week against a Jets team that at one point seemed unbeatable. Folks, you do not want to miss this one!
Playoffs
Quarter Finals
Sharks defeat Nordiques 10-9
The Nords picked the worst possible time to have a short bench, but pressed ahead regardless against the Sharks. The Sharks were keen to take advantage, with Sadik Patel scoring the first goal of the playoffs. The Nords, without Abraar or Razi, played their hearts out, leading 5-3 after the first. Captaib Khan led scoring with two goals in the first. The Sharks capitalized on fatigue and pushed back hard in the second with three goals to start, featuring a pair from Farhan Saleh. The Nords kept afloat and held the 9-8 lead with 4 minutes left in play. With just two minutes left in play, Rahman Rana would be the hero for the Sharks, netting back-to-back goals for the 10-9 win. Sharks will move on to face the Falcons. On a side note, give it up for the Nords, who have been a class act throughout the season.
Hawks defeat Bruins 11-5
The Hawks and Bruins faced off next in a game that was evident of who wanted it more. The Hawks struck fast and hard with a trio of goals thanks to GM Mohammed Kazi (2) and Gurmit Bhatal. The Bruins picked up the pace and sniped back with a pair of their own from GM Huzzy Panchbhaya and Navdeep Mundi. Hawks led 5-4 after the first thanks to a late Zaheer Kazi goal. The second period was all Hawks as they clamped down on the Bruin snipers and kept them at bay. Arif Hanslod netted a pair to put this game out of reach, as the Hawks win this 11-5. Hawks move on to face the Jets.
Sharks Vs Nordiques @ 9:00 pm
The Nords will take on the Sharks in the 2018 Winter playoffs, with a strong determination from both teams to advance. The Sharks have had a tough season, going 1-9, and lacking true commitment. Everything can change this game. The Nords were just one point shy of a bye, and they will now be firing on all cylinders to make up for it.
Bruins Vs Hawks@ 10:05 pm
The Hawks and Bruins will face off again this week, in a much different game. The stakes are high, and there can only be one winner. The Hawks and Bruins both underwhelmed during the season, with both teams looking good on paper but failing to execute. This week, it will be do or die.
