Charlotte Street Hockey League is one sunny Sunday away from crowning its new Adult Ball Hockey Champions, and unfortunately for us, that Sunday may be next weekend. With rain in the forecast we’ll have a joint call from COO Robert Arkus & CAO Christopher Cookingham to see if our Waymer Rink conditions will be safe enough to play in; a call we expect to be made Saturday evening. Let's dig into some elimination action from our seeding round of the CSHL Playoffs.
So by now everyone SHOULD know this. CSHL’s playoffs feature a modified double-elimination format of the final four teams remaining, with the double-elimination portion removed once the championship is set. For example, if “Team A” wins two games the first weekend and goes straight to the championship, they don’t get to replay the matchup if they lose in the finals. This bit the Mullets in Fall ‘23 as they lost 2-1 to the Hoolies after going undefeated the first weekend. Teams are racing to 3 wins, however once you reach the second Sunday, it’s single elimination for everyone.
Getting access to the double-elimination portion is huge, and with five teams in each division we have a couple of play-in games to see which teams are eliminated first.
The Rapids were always going to be at a disadvantage here as their Captain Chris Cookingham & goalie Nappy were absent for this one, however, the Hoolies were (unsurprisingly) missing Ashley and Q so this thing was tighter than expected…and by tighter than expected I mean a double-overtime thriller to start the CSHL playoffs. The first period was a snoozefest however things blew up in the second as these teams traded a pair of goals in short fashion. AZ gave his Hoolies the lead before Bayne put one past PMart to tie things up, then McKenna blasted a slapper from mid-rink and Stock returned the favor to have things sitting even heading into the third.
Bobby took a rebound off the wall to give the Rapids their first lead of the game, and looked close to holding on late except for one short stretch where Zach McKenna returned to his F23 MVP form. Getting a ball on the wall at the point, Bayne coughed up possession as McKenna took it off his stick and scored his own rebound on a breakaway to tie the game.
Many watching expected the Hoolies to dominate OT with a core of Forbes, McKenna & Connor however the struggled against the Rapids playing it safe and keeping pressure outside. In the second OT instead of clearing the ball while Jayden was changing, Prusia turned it over to Forbes who patiently found Conner in the slot where he buried one past substitute goalie Ryan Diaz.
Connor won an elimination game in OT for the Hoolies last season in a huge comeback against the Bombers, so let’s see if his magic carries over to the rest of their team Championship Sunday.
CSHL FLASHBACK: Hoolies/Bombers F23 Thriller
The Bombers kicked the absolute shit out of the Wieners. It hurts when their first two picks of the draft are hurt (1.01 Hans) or on vacation (2.01 Pinto) for the playoffs. Overmatched, things started early with a Brownlow goal as he was left wide open at the point and never slowed from there.
The Wieners loss sends them to the quarterfinal matchup and they are now 3 wins away from their first championship since Winter ‘23.
Our finals matchup from F23, the Hoolies got out ahead twice but were unable to hold the lead either time. Zach scored a weird angle backhand that went off someone’s foot before Helinski immediately responded on a rebound, then Connor scored another in the short slot from Forbes after being left open for no apparent reason. Jeremy scored mid second then we had a 23 (Ward) from 23 (Knox) goal for the Mullets to start the third and give them the lead for good. Helsinki put in two more for the hat trick before AZ scored one too late for the Hoolies (horrendous defense on my part). The Hoolies will have to make another 3 game run on Championship Sunday, this time without their Captain Forbes unless we get a weather delay.
A mostly full-strength Bombers team outside of Keenan facing the Jack-less Mullets, this is the matchup we expected to see closing out our A Division games for the day. The Bombers got ahead early on a Sam Wood goal and actually extended their lead to two in the second as Campbell scored, however that was quickly erased. Jeremy flicked one backhanded from the boards to the slot where Sernus beat Sam Wood for a backhanded finish to close the gap to one. This settled evenly until the late third where the Mullets scored a semi-controversial goal to tie the game.
Chasing a high Knox shot, Helinski ran into the stick of Bombers goalie Hotch knocking the net slightly off the goal line, and then the ball deflected off a players foot and may have crossed the post area on the way into the net. Unbiased opinion, let the boys play, we can't blow things dead every time nets as light as ours are pushed an inch off the line. Good goal. Tim had an amazing save late as he dove and took away the angle from a cutting Sam Wood that…would have won the Bombers the game.
This picked up in OT as the Mullet’s poured on pressure however they were unable to score, and Sernus took a tripping penalty on Brownlow. Things looked bleak however Jeremy beat the Bombers down the boards and behind the net shorthanded, popping the ball out to a cutting Alex Lindvall for the victory.
The Bombers head to the semis against the winner of Hoolies/Wieners, the Mullets back to the Championship.
Editor's Note: A rainout Sunday 4/21 has HUGE implications. Per sources (Helinski), Helinski has a trip to Florida planned for the following weekend and would miss the championship. Very cocky of him to schedule a Disney trip before securing the win but we have no choice but to respect it. A delay would also see the return of Forbes (Hoolies) & Pinto (Wieners) to their teams.
Not the season Eric LeVigne’s Fridge Raiders were hoping for as their possession and hustle faltered at the hands of the more experienced Charlottans lineup. With their big three of Joe P, Kennedy & Jasinski back together for the first time since Week Two, we saw a noticeable different style of play as Joe P could focus more on pushing pressure towards the neutral zone with Ray J patrolling the back end. They broke out in a flurry in the second period as Joey had his first of three goals on the day, deflecting one in off a Joe P shot…
…and the elder P quickly followed things up with an absolute ROCKET of his own to make things 2-0 in favor of the Charlottans.
Joe P picked another corner shortly after and that sealed the fate of the Fridge Raiders as Borruso secured a shutout. While a lot of people weren’t happy about Eric captaining a B Division team, I think this result shows the state of CSHL’s talent pool well where one top 12-15 player isn’t enough to dominate our B Division like years past. We’re interested to see the future of LeVigne & his Fridge Raiders in the leadup to Fall ‘24.
Another game, another mauling. The Cowbell are going to need better goaltending if they want a chance at lifting the cup, however not all were on the netminder as we saw Jacob snipe a beauty here on the rush.
Bergie was able to keep almost everything out and if the Flying V’s are getting this level of play from him they’re the most dangerous team in our B Division. The Cowbell are heading to the quarterfinals and per sources will be without their Captain and star defenseman Mike Steckler…that is unless mother nature shines some good fortune on the Cowbell and forces a weather postponement on the league.
After a dominant run to the end of their season the Voltage came out completely flat against the Charlottans, getting down 4 late before closing the gap near the end. The Voltage’s late surge showed they’re never truly out of games, but this was a statement win for the Charlottans as they got massive production from their stars Joe P & Kennedy. We saw potentially the slowest breakaway of all time in this match as Kennedy took one from his defensive zone by himself to score short-handed for the Charlottans in the second, displaying the hands that are still elite even if the knees are not.
The Voltage put up a brief comeback but it was quickly put to rest by the Kennedy-Petrellese combo.
Tom C’s High Voltage are sent to the quarters where they’ll need to make a huge run and get their first championship of this millennium.
Not the matchup many expected today but the red hot Charlottans opened FAST (before the cameras were even working) as Joey put one in on his first shift of the game giving him 3 on the day. Marques Guia scored a ROCKET of a slapshot in the second to tie things up…
…And then Nick Russell finished an absolutely beautiful pass from Jacob to open the third.
Bergie played great once again and made the big saves which was important as this was a tight game throughout. The Charlottans head to the semis and the Flying V’s are in the finals as Brandon Brownlow searches for his first B Division Championship with his revamped squad.
We saw massive weekends from the stars here as the leaderboard is filled with familiar names. The Greco/Wood & Kennedy/Petrellese combos have been absolutely deadly, and if the Hoolies are full strength they have as much top-end talent as anyone.
All Week One Playoff Pictures & Game Videos are HERE.
CSHL END OF SEASON EVENT & POTLUCK
Location: Waymer Park
When: After our Adult Ball Championship Games
Following all games join everyone on the court for "pickup" - which is essentially everyone from our Youth leagues as well as adult leagues playing one (or two) giant games of hockey!
As part of the celebration, feel free to bring a dish or two for a potluck. Use the sheet below to sign up so that everyone knows what will be there! POTLUCK SIGNUP.
SHE DANGLES: Women's Hockey Clinic in Charlotte
Join UWBHF, ballhockeybootcamp, and Charlotte Street Hockey League for a women’s ball hockey clinic that will include skills, drills, and games! Guaranteed fun for all! Learn tips, tricks, and techniques for everyone from a beginner to an advanced player to enhance your stickhandling and game skills, and learn to “dangle.”
Led by Ashley Mouzzon, UWBHFs experienced coaching staff will meet you where you are and push your skill level up a notch! Recommended for ages 12 and up.
When: Saturday, April 27
Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Where: Waymer Park Hockey Rink
Recommended donation:
- Supporter: $10
- Believer: $20
- Advocate: $50
- Change Agent: $100+
Register here: https://wkf.ms/4bCn551
Donate here: http://tinyurl.com/UWBHFSheDangles
CSHL SUMMER LEAGUE SIGNUP
CSHL’s Adult Ball Summer Rec League is BACK…almost. Registration opens on April 22nd!
Format: Our Summer Rec league mixes our A & B divisions together.
Price: The cost will be $50 per player.
Location: Games will be on Saturdays at Waymer Park
More info will follow on Monday, April 22!
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