Jokers escape with win in regular season finale

Despite being tied in points heading into the final game of the season, the Jokers held the first place edge over ElephanTitus thanks to team goals against average. All four playoff spots in the division had been all but officially settled. The final regular season game against Brittany’s Boys would serve as a playoff tune up as the teams were set to face each other in the semi-finals on Saturday, March 5.

Things would start nicely for the Jokers with center Phil Mrazik hammering home a pass from the corner and taking the lead only 54 seconds into the game. The Boys’ offense though would rebound to tie the game a mere six seconds later. The two teams traded goals three times and the Jokers fell behind 5-3 after the first period in what would turn out to be a wild game. Winger Jimmy Dowd would give the Jokers the 7-6 lead two minutes into the third period as the teams battled back and forth. The Boys refused to let up though and would tie the game at seven with 1:07 left in the game. Defenseman Devon Sylvester just missed out on stealing the game with the clock winding down after making a spectacular deke into the high slot. The game would head to overtime with both teams applying pressure and hoping to gain an edge before the playoffs. Only 40 seconds from the game ending in a tie, defenseman Rich Orsini had other plans. Orsini wound up and fired a slapshot through traffic that found the back of the net to secure the 8-7 win.