Division II Quarter Final Results

The Division II Quarters produced some of the best games of the year.  Sammamish will match up with Blanchet, and Woodinville will Look to Garfield for the semi-finals as the State Championships are just two games away...Sammamish vs. Providence, Woodinville vs. North County, Garfield vs. Wenatchee coming

Sammamish squeezes by Providence, 9-7, heading to Semi-Finals

This may have been the most anticipated game of the weekend.  Cascade Conference no. 2 seed Providence traveled to Newport High School, to face off against no. 1 Evergreen seed Sammamish. The first quarter was an interesting struggle of tempo control. Providence used their athleticism early in the game to push transition and score early.  Sammamish's defense countered the move by hustling the middies back into the hole and matching up.  On the offesive, they slowed the ball to get a good possession. Providence countered that move with heavy pressure, collapsing on the crease, and swarming groundballs.  Back and forth you saw this play out in the 1st quarter, literally a chess match, of two different styles, with both teams adjusting at a moments notice.  At the quarter break the score was tied 2-2.

The second quarter was when we finally saw a change in tactics- penalties.  Providence drew first blood Sammamish capitalized on, 3-2.  Now all even Providence pulled a zone out of their bag of tricks, forcing outside shots from the Sammamish offense.  The Totems were clearly frustrated by the zone, drawing their first flag of the day, resulting in a Providence goal.  A couple minutes later, Sammamish got called for holding.  Providence executed a wheel play, four passes and a goal.  Later in the 2nd quarter Providence was called for another slash and Sammamish used the opportunity to put the ball in the back of the net.  Going into halftime score 5-5.

The third quarter was much more conservative.  Each team only scored once, bringing the end of the quarter to a draw at 6-6.  Both goals were truly noteworthy. With 90 seconds remaining in the quarter, Providence has the ball settled. Standout Ryan Morris came off a pick got his hands free and ripped a shot past the keeper.  With 30 seconds remaining LSM Sam Chapman uses his stomach to block a shot, picked up the ground ball and took off up field. As Providence closed in, you saw Chapman hit another gear and stretch the distance, creating a fast break.  He passed it off Tyler Wright, who reverses to Brian Headland who finished. 

During the final quarter, it quickly became obvious that controlling the face offs was going to be critical.  Sammamish’s Matt Young was up for the task, getting his team the ball time after time all game, but especially in the 4th quarter.  Sammamish broke the stalemate early, scoring two goals in secession the game winner coming from Sean Sternberg, his only goal of the night.  Sternberg, executed a textbook split-alley dodge, freed his hands and un-torqued his shot off stick hip on Providences goalie.  Providence did get back with in one, to make it 8-7, but failing to clear the ball multiple times from their defensive end Sammamish held the ball.  Sammamish would gain an insurance goal, when Providence’s defense came out hard to attempt to double the ball.  Tyler Wright got around two defenders, drove hard and dumped the ball off to the backside for his teammate for the lay up.

Sammamish 9, Providence 7, FINAL

“The keys to this win were staying disciplined, controlling the pace of the game, and converting on shots,” said first year Sammamish Head Coach Tyler Ferrar.  What many do not know is that Sammamish was playing with their JV goalie in the game.  Their 2 varsity goalies had suffered season ending injuries.  I asked Coach Ferrar what his thoughts were after the performance of his goalie tonight., “Morgan stepped up huge when it mattered the most, he did everything we hoped for, he made the saves he was supposed to, and he also made a couple he wasn’t, I don’t know about you but that did not look like a JV goalie in the cage to me,” Coach Ferrar also added, “Matt Young really help us reduce some of that pressure, he faced the toughest battle all year at the face-off X, and did his job.”

Sammamish advances to the Division II semifinals and will player the winner of the Blanchet – Skagit Valley game next Wednesday March 25th at time and location to be determined.

Sammamish notable performances:

Brian Headland 4g

Tyler Wright 2a

Sean Sternberg 1g (game winner)

Morgan White 7 saves 

Providence notable performances:

Ryan Morris 3 g

David Wartes 8 saves

Luke Morris, matched up against Tyler Wright, held him to 1 assist all night.

For many, the sight of North County’s name in a quarter final playoff slot very interesting.  Reflecting back on how they got there is interesting too.  The Skagit conference had a three way tie at the conclusion of the regular season.  With only a four team conference, only 2 teams would qualify for state playoffs, meaning one of the three teams would be out.  North County was able to earn the 2 seed for the Skagit Conference.  In their first round of action they were able to outlast Highline with a 9-6 win.  North County stood tall, doing everything it knew, in an attempt to overcome the defensive pressure, and hold at bay the Falcon’s offensive attacks.  Despite their determination the Cavaliers were unable to advance to the semi finals.  Scoring for the Cavaliers was Trever Salminen leading the way with 1 goal, and 1 assist, Levi Lagerwey and Marcus Fakkena each contributed a goal.  Congrats to the Coaches, Players, and Parents on this successful season.

From the opening whistle the Woodinville Falcons showed that they would allow no doubt as to their intention of this games outcome.  From the opening face-off Charlie Falla won the draw, sprinted down the funnel, and rip a shot for the 1st goal of the game, just 15 seconds into the game.  90 seconds later it was JD Chapman for the falcons, who picked up an errant pass from North County’s offense.  Chapman took it and ran to the cage to put Woodinville up 2-0.  In all, the Falcon’s would earn there way to victory with 8 different goal scorers.  4 of the 8 earned hat-tricks or better, lead by JD Chapman (5g,2a), Colter Clinch (4g,1a), Keaton House (3g,1a), and Daniel McKee (3g).  Tyler Paris chipped in 3 assists, while Charlie Falla, Nathan Paris, Drew Rothe, and Evan Schnitzius all scored a goal.  

Woodinville advances to the semi-finals which will take place Wednesday May 25, and a time and location to be determined.