The Brush Arcs Hockey Team, who qualified for the Baron's Cup III for the first time ever in Arcs Hockey history, won 8-2 in its opening quarterfinal match against Normandy on Thursday night. The game was very close until the third period, when the Arcs pulled away with the victory. Led by Arcs forwards Eli Slonsky (3 goals, 3 assists) and Gustaf Tapper Uudelepp (3 goals, 1 assist), whom both had hat tricks, the third seeded Arcs now face second seeded Parma in the semi-finals at 3:00 PM on Saturday at Brooklyn Rink. Parma enters the semi-finals after defeating Nordonia, 8-0 in its quarterfinal match. The Baron Cup III Finals are on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 PM at Brooklyn Rink.
The Arcs hope that you can come out and support them this weekend! Follow all of the action this weekend by following @brushhockey on Twitter.
The Arcs scored the lone goal in the first period on a bullet shot from Eli Shlonsky near the blue line with 3:31 remaining. The goal was assisted by Matt McLoughlin.
Normandy tied the game with 10:25 left in the second period before the Arcs scored two goals in less than two minutes to make the score, 3-1 Arcs. Sam Eisler scored unassisted with a shot from the blue line with 8:30 left in the second period, followed by a power play goal at 7:12 left in the second period by Gustaf Tapper Uudelepp that was assisted by Danny Niedzwiecki and Sam Eisler. However, Normandy quickly answered with a power play goal of its own less than two minutes later to make the score, 3-2, at the end of the second period.
The Arcs in the third period shut down Normandy behind the stout goaltending of Tim Arth, while also scoring five unanswered goals. The Arcs opened up the third period scoring with 10:28 remaining in the third period to make the score 4-2 with a power play goal from Danny Niedzwiecki that was assisted by Gustaf Tapper Uudelepp and Eli Shlonsky. Just three minutes later, Arcs forward Eli Shlonsky made the score 5-2 with a breakaway goal from a nice pass from Danny Niedzwiecki. Arcs forward Gustaf Tapper Uudelepp scored the next two goals with two beautiful passes from Shlonsky to open the score up to 7-2. The goals by Shlonsky had second assists by Dylan Miller and Matt McLoughlin, respectively. Shlonsky wrapped up the scoring with a goal that was assisted by Dylan Miller to make the final score, 8-2.
The Arcs are having a very strong season, finishing their regular season play with a 13-2-0 record. In addition, the Arcs won the Brooklyn Tournament earlier this season in commanding style over the holiday break. The Arcs won their three games of the tournament by a combined score of 32-3, with victories over Brooklyn, Garfield Heights and Canfield. The Arcs prevailed in their final game with a 10-0 mercy rule win over Canfield. The Arcs hockey team before this season had a 40-158-1 all-time record with 63 mercy rule losses and a 41 game losing streak between 2007 and 2009. With this in mind, this season's accomplishments are even more incredible! Congratulations again to the Brush Arcs Hockey Team and good luck in the Baron Cup III this weekend!!