After making short work of their first OMHA round by winning
in 3 straight games the Elmvale Bantam Rep Coyotes knew they were going to have
a much greater challenge in round 2 against the rival Penetang Flames.
The 2 teams were very evenly matched and finished the season standings
within a point of each other. Adding to the intensity of the
series was the familiarity both teams had with one another whether it being teammates / opponents in baseball or ball hockey these boys were determined not to
lose to each other. The Coyotes would also be playing this series
short a player as Nevin King is out with a knee injury.
Game 1 was an away game for the Elmvale Coyotes and they were looking to start the series strong and they did by jumping out to an early 1-0 lead. The Penetang Flames answered back quickly and often as they would score the next 5 goals and take a commanding 5-1 lead. Late in the 3rd Elmvale would close the score to 5-2, but it would be the Flames who take the early series lead by winning game 1.
In game 2 the Coyotes were looking to even the series but the script would be identical to game 1 as the Coyotes would surrender an early 1-0 lead when Penetang once again would score 4 straight goals and skate away with a 5-2 victory and take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
Game 3 had The Elmvale Coyotes facing elimination for the first time, needing at least a tie to keep their OMHA hopes alive. This game had the Coyotes find a new commitment to defence and really cut down on the Flames scoring opportunities. Through 2 periods this game was tied with neither team finding the back of the net. Early in the third, the Coyotes would be the first team to put a goal on the scoreboard when they were able to fire a shot that beat the Penetang netminder. For the rest of the third the Coyotes protected this lead until with 30 seconds left the Flames with 6 skaters on the ice finally beat goaltender Kaidan Maw to tie the game sending this game into overtime. With the Coyotes 1 goal away from elimination they still managed to come out and play fearless in this overtime and late into the overtime period a scramble around the Penetang net ended when the Coyotes jammed a loose puck past the goalie giving the Hapamp Bantam Coyotes the win and another chance to once again avoid elimination.
Game 4 and the chance to even up the series at home resulted in some inspired play form the Coyotes. The Coyotes hard work and tight defensive play had the Hapamp Bantam Rep team up 2-0 after 2 periods. With some thoughts drifting toward a game 5 the Coyotes were quickly brought back to the present when the Penetang Flames came out strong in the 3rd and quickly tied the game at 2-2. Once again with their backs to the wall the strong will of the Elmvale players once again came to the forefront and some strong play resulted in a late goal giving the Elmvale Bantam Rep team the win and sending the series to a deciding game 5.
Game 5 was the first time both teams would face being eliminated and this resulted in some very defensive hockey with neither team wanting to give up a goal. Midway through the first the Elmvale Coyotes found the scoreboard and once again looked to take this lead to the end. For the 3rd straight game the Penetang Flames found a way to tie the game in the 2nd period and push this decisive game into overtime. Ten minutes of overtime solved nothing and these 2 evenly matched teams were heading to a rare game six.
Game 6 was the 4th consecutive game the Elmvale Bantam Rep Coyotes faced a must win situation and once again this game was tight defensive low scoring affair. After 2 periods of play the Coyotes held on to their familiar 1-0 lead. This 3rd period the Hapamp Bantams were determined not to let the Flames come through with one of their patented come backs. As the period wore on some strong fore-checking resulted in a 2-0 lead for the Elmvale team. This second goal seemed to deflate the resilient Penetang Flames and the Coyotes would skate on to take the series with the final score being 4-0. This series had both teams push each other to play some of their best hockey and the Hapamp Bantam Rep team look to take their new found level of play into their quarter final series against the Listowel Cyclones.