Lynx - 21st Series Recap(ish) [1/2]

[Peace 1,562]

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- The Halifax hockey club looked onward in defeat as the metaphorical ‘broom’ made its way from the utilities closet and onto the ice surface to sweep away the stunned team. Halifax, like their contemporary club in the NHL (in terms of age and story, ironically), made it all the way to the glory series but couldn’t capture it: The championship was within reach, yet remained outside their touch. Visible, but yet outside their vision .

Ottawa Lynx decidedly swept the Halifax 21st hockey club in a best of seven series to claim the trophy by defeating the young team 4 games to 0.

In game one, the Lynx easily defeated the unprepared Halifax team 4-1.

Although it was tied up 1-1 after one, courtesy of Jesse Wilson (OTT) and Kronos Bailey (HFX), Ottawa quickly jumped to a 2-1 lead just 47 seconds into the second period when Robert Renner’s shot hit twine. Just over six minutes later, Ottawa extended the lead to 3-1 when Lando Baxter scored; unfortunately, Halifax never recovered even though they kept the pressure up, outshooting Ottawa throughout the first contest. Ottawa scored their fourth goal at the 18:18 mark of the third period as Roctrion King potted his third goal of the postseason.

 

In game two, the Lynx shutdown and shutout Halifax’s offense with with a 3-0 victory on hostile ice, with all three goals being scored in the opening twenty minutes of play. Lando Baxter scored twice, his third and forth goals in the postseason, and Jesse Wilson recorded another goal to put the Lynx up 2-0 in the series. Yet, once again, the Halifax hockey club outshot the club from Canada’s capital but never converted on their scoring chances.

In game three, Halifax looked as if they had finally adjusted to the postseason speed, playing better hockey than in games one and two. At the end of the first period, Halifax enjoyed a 1-0 lead thanks to Tzuyu’s third of the postseason. With just five minutes to go, and Halifax enjoying a 2-0 lead (Flipachyev’s fifth of the post-season at 0:57 on the PP), Ottawa struck back when Lando Baxter scored his third goal against Halifax in as many games. Less than two minutes later the game was tied 2-2, King potting a goal to tie the game up… Ottawa ended up dominating the third period but the game was kept at 2-2 thanks to steller goaltending from Mertz - unfortunately, just 1:05 into the first OT, Chace Trepanier found twine in a 3-2 Lynx victory.

In game four, Halifax dominated the first peroid, taking a commanding 3-0 lead when the first twenty minutes expired; Nathan MacKinnon, Karl von Moltke and Shawn Glade each scored for Halifax. The club genuinely believed they could win the game and start fighting back in the series, which they trailed 3-0. In the second period, however, the momentum swung in favor of Ottawa. Vaydar Odinsson, Ryan Kastelic and Roctrion King each scored in the second peroid for the Lynx to tie the game up at 3 heading into the final frame… unfortunately for the Halifax 21st, it was Lando Baxter who sunk the dagger into Halifax’s cup hopes at 0:50 on the PP.

It was a good effort, just not good enough. Halifax enjoyed a shots on goal advantage through games one, two and four but couldn’t capitalize on the scoring chances.

Good series, Ottawa, good series.
 

[diamond_ace 3,114]

Good series to you as well. We may have the cup, we may even have the brooms, but Halifax has my respect. You guys fought like hell all season.

[SlapshotWrangler 864]

Review:

Great job on covering the story dude! As for the series, yeah we sucked. You still have a lot of potential though, and I hope you get a cup. Congrats to Ottawa and good series!

 

This article is well written and I like the style of the big, bold letter at the start of each paragraph.