With the #1 seeded East Boston Yacht Club and #2 seeded Lightning Express watching as they await their semifinal opponents, the 2014 quest for the EBMHL Cup kicked off with a bang, as #3 seed Team Carlo Basile took on #6 seed Market Cafe in what will probably go down in the books as the game of the year. An intense battle between two squads who were equally as hungry to move on to the next round. A scoreless, up and down first period that saw rugged play and many scoring opportunities led to Market Cafe breaking the ice first on a Vinny Schettino tally, only to be followed by a Team Basile goal from Dave Ivaska. As the game went on, so did the chippy play as both teams were at each other s throats, but it was Team Basile who was able to break the tie on a Chris Prew breakaway goal to make it 2-1 and that s how that one would end as Team Basile was able to withstand a furious pace from Market Cafe in their efforts at tying the game up. Both goaltenders in this one were phenomenal as George Barker was fantastic for Basile while Chris Grossmann was lights out for Market Cafe. Team Basile now moves on to take on Lightning Express, the defending league champions, on Tuesday evening March 11 at 9:00pm in the Semifinals.
The second game of the night saw #4 seed vs #5 seed, Ecco Restaurant vs. Milano s Deli in what was a lopsided affair from the get go. Ecco, poised to move on to face The East Boston Yacht Club in the Semifinals, will do just that as they dismantled Milano s Deli on the backs of Chad Higgins (2 goals), Mike Russo (2 goals), David Preston, Jim Leger, Jeff Delpidio and Shawn Smith as they won 8-3. Milano goals were scored by Mike Burri, Dave Natola, and Dan Fitzmaurice.
The playoffs continue Tuesday night March 11, 2014 with Team Basile taking on Lightning Express at 9:00pm and EBYC taking on Ecco at 8:00pm in the two semifinal matchups.
Championship Series begins Tuesday night March 18, 2014 at 8pm with the winners of yesterdays semi s facing off. Come on down and catch some EBMHL playoff action at Porazzo.