Cadillac 3 Big Rapids 2 (OT)

Another physical contest between two rival teams, but Cadillac gets the win 9 seconds into OT. It was their third win against Big Rapids this season, and the win lets the Vikings advance to the Regionals at Gaylord on Saturday. Scoring started early for Big Rapids when Tom Hancock picked up a loose puck at the blue line and with a Cadillac player reading the "wash and wear" instructions on his uniform, he cut through the offensive zone, out maneuvered that Viking player and the goaltender to put the Cardinals up 1 to 0 just 38 seconds into the game. Cadillac knew they were in for a game as Hancock had just scored his fourth goal against the Vikings in three games this year. The period continued to play out with both teams playing very physical and with Big Rapids taking 2 penalties, the 2nd at the 4:19 mark which but Cadillac on the power play. At the 4:12 mark or just 7 seconds later, Jake Gischia took a pass from Adam Hodges and Eric Bair to knot the game at 1 to 1. Now Cadillac knew for sure that they were in for a game. Tied 1 to 1 and at the 57 second mark, a Viking took a penalty to put Big Rapids on the power play -- but at the 12 second mark, Cadillac's Brock Raffaele scored a short handed goal on a 2 on 1 rush, taking a pass from Jimmy Morris. Shots for the period were 7 each and at the period break it was Cadillac 2 - Big Rapids 1.

The second period was filled with some aggressive hits as each team took four penalties. Cadillac managed three or maybe four shots on net as Big Rapids seem to have the best scoring chances in the period and fired 8 shots on goaltender Mike Boike, but the Cardinals just could not seem to connect and went into the locker room still down 2 to 1. Everyone in the stands knew the third period would decided the game, including Cadillac. The vikings came out hard, dominated the shots 10 to 4 and pressed the Cardinals on every run to the net. Each team continued its physical play, but it was a roughing penalty and another coincidental penalty that allowed Big Rapids to get back into the game with a fresh power play opportunity. Then at the 5:23 mark, Bill McMullen took a Mike Hickson pass and fired a slap shot from the blue line that allowed senior Paul Goggins to get the equalizer. Cadillac continued to press with shots on Cardinal senior goaltender Bob Butterfield, but some great goal tending keep the game in check and forced an overtime! The fans, parents and students prepared for what was to be a great period of hockey and just got settled into their seats...when 9 seconds into the overtime Cadillac's Jimmy Morris fired a shot at a screened Butterfield (whom never saw the puck) to end the game. Brock Raffaele was credited with the assist.

This Big Rapids blogger wants to thank both teams for a great playoff game and also wants to thank the Cardinal Seniors: Bob Butterfield, Tony Ruppel, Paul Goggins, Nick Goodfellow and Matt Farnsworth for some great hockey...your futures will be bright!