Game #1 vs Cambridge Hawks
The ’96 Chiefs opened the ALLIANCE Showcase against the undefeated Cambridge Hawks. The Orange & Black were quick to get on the board in the first period with an aggressive PowerPlay rush to the net by Austin Malchesky #66, assisted by Will Goodhue #16 and Nick Phillips #10.
Unfortunately, the Hawks capitalized on a giveaway in the Chief end as they were setting up for a PowerPlay rush in the second period to tie the game. The Hawks managed a PowerPlay goal which remained unanswered. Two additional goals were scored in the 3rd frame. The final score was 4-1 for the Hawks. Player of the game for EMC was Brent Hammett #77.
Game #2 vs Kitchener
Little was known about the Rangers other than they had defeated the high-flying Lambton Sting the night before and had yet to lose a game this season. The Chiefs got on the scoreboard first with an unassisted PowerPlay goal by Captain Brook Hiddink #8 in the second period. It was a tight-checking game for the next 15 minutes until Captain Hiddink #8 sealed the deal with an empty net goal assisted by Brent Hammett #77 and Sam Vokes #44. The previously undefeated and never-before shutout Kitchener Rangers became unglued and were called for 40 minutes in penalties (as compared to EMC 16 minutes). Coleman McDonald #35 earned his second consecutive AAA shutout and Player of the Game honours.
Game #3 vs Windsor
The Windsor team was hungry for a rematch after being denied the game tying goal after the teams’ last meeting a week ago. EMC scored first on a PowerPlay goal in the first period with a beautiful tic-tac-toe passing play from Yurek #15 to Hiddink #8, to Goodhue #16 who popped it into the far side. What followed was a steady parade to the penalty box for EMC, surrendering a goal to a Windsor 5 on 3 and two more additional goals while down a man. The comeback included two goals by Hiddink #8 but it was not enough. Chiefs lose 4-3.
Game #4 vs Sun County Panthers
The “Finalists” from last year’s Alliance Championship have made several upgrades to their team this year and were ranked #5 in the Province as of the last week, highest of all teams in the Alliance. The first period was tight with lots of shots on the EMC netminder Coleman McDonald #35. Sam Vokes #44 opened the scoring first with a PowerPlay goal on feed from Yurek #15 and Hiddink #8. Unfortunately, this seemed to wake the Panthers and they pounded our net with shots scoring 3 unanswered goals to win the game 3-1. Despite this, it was a fine showing by the ’96 Chiefs against one of the league’s powerhouse teams. At the conclusion of the Alliance Showcase, the ‘96 Chiefs were very aware of the fact that 5 on 5, they could skate with any team in the League.