Essex 73's... Champions Again!

Total domination in games three and four add up to sweep

Andy Comber / Essex Free Press

The Essex 73's hoist the Schmalz Cup as part of their victory celebration.

After a season full of special ceremonies and talk about all the memories over the past 50 years involving The Barn, better known as the Essex Memorial Arena, the 2008-2009 Essex 73s have just put the finishing touches on a new memory.

The 73s captured the Tubby Schmalz Trophy for the sixth time in franchise history after sweeping the Alliston Hornets aside with a pair of lopsided shutouts over the past week. Essex shocked the Hornets 6-0 last Wednesday in Essex, then followed that up with a series clinching 7-0 win in Alliston Saturday.

The 73s just completed a season with an incredible 59(wins)-1(loss)-1(overtime loss)-1(shootout loss) record.

After Saturdays game Head Coach Tony Piroski said, This was a pretty good team, a 59-1-1-1 record. I dont think you will see a team with a record like that again.

The Hornets lack of discipline prevented them from getting back in this series Wednesday, especially in period two when they took nine minor penalties. The opening period was a bit slow with neither team able to get that first goal.

The 73s changed all that in period two, scoring three times, with Dan Reaume leading the way with a pair and a single going to Sean Ducharme.

Essex did not hold back in the final frame either, adding another three tallies to hand Alliston their worst defeat of the season. Reaume scored first to complete his hat trick. Sean Ducharme added his second on the night, while Nick Nicodemo rounded out the scoring with a late game shorthanded tally.

We were not going to let them get to us and claw their way back into this series, said Essex netminder Branden Robitaille. They were the ones taking the stupid penalties.

I think the mood in this building tonight killed any momentum they were trying to get, he added. The fans were great. Our mission is to wrap this thing up Saturday.

We stayed focused for the full 60 minutes, said Anthony Iaquinta. We had no lapses and we did a great job of ignoring the rough stuff. For the first time in the two series we have played them, I noticed some panic in their game. Winning this series on home ice would be great, but it is not a priority. The satisfaction would be just as great on Saturday.

You had to know that Alliston would be fired up for Saturdays game four, so the key for Essex would be to get to them early and take them and the home crowd out of the game early. Before the game was six minutes old, the 73s had achieved their goal by jumping out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Tanner Gallant and Mike Roach. This was the only scoring in the opening 20 minutes, although Essex had numerous other close calls.

The visitors put this game out of reach in the middle frame, notching another three times while totally dominating the home team. Wes Tan opened the scoring as he had the Hornets goaltender going the wrong way. Captain Nick Mariani ripped a slap shot from the top of the circle that found the back of the net, before Dan Bacon deflected a Mike Dobric shot past a startled Breton MacKinnon who had just replaced starter Troy Dowswell a few minutes earlier.

If the 5-0 lead was not enough, the 73s left no doubt as to the outcome in period three, scoring another pair for insurance. Nick Mariani and Dan Bacon both added their second of the evening.

We frustrated them big time, said first-year defenseman Adam Corbett. We shut them down so they could get nothing going. I cant really explain how I am feeling right now. This is a great organization. There is none better. How about our record this season? Its unbelievable.

Third-year veteran Wes Tan had trouble speaking as his smile was getting in the way.

Our mindset from the start of the season was simple, win it all, he said.

We just dominated the best team in Ontario. Its an unbelievable feeling. After coming up short the past few seasons the veterans were extremely hungry this time around and did not want to let this won slip away.

When the playoffs began, the players all had orange Essex 73s t-shirts with the following statement stenciled on the back: 20, one team, one goal. If you want to be a champion you must be willing to pay a greater price than your opponent. Mission accomplished!

Congratulations once again go out to the coaching and support staff on another incredible season. The fans in Essex are getting spoiled.

A big thank you goes out to the Essex 73s sponsors who came through once again, and the fans you are #1.

Total domination in games three and four add up to sweep

Andy Comber / Essex Free Press

The Essex 73's hoist the Schmalz Cup as part of their victory celebration.

After a season full of special ceremonies and talk about all the memories over the past 50 years involving The Barn, better known as the Essex Memorial Arena, the 2008-2009 Essex 73s have just put the finishing touches on a new memory.

The 73s captured the Tubby Schmalz Trophy for the sixth time in franchise history after sweeping the Alliston Hornets aside with a pair of lopsided shutouts over the past week. Essex shocked the Hornets 6-0 last Wednesday in Essex, then followed that up with a series clinching 7-0 win in Alliston Saturday.

The 73s just completed a season with an incredible 59(wins)-1(loss)-1(overtime loss)-1(shootout loss) record.

After Saturdays game Head Coach Tony Piroski said, This was a pretty good team, a 59-1-1-1 record. I dont think you will see a team with a record like that again.

The Hornets lack of discipline prevented them from getting back in this series Wednesday, especially in period two when they took nine minor penalties. The opening period was a bit slow with neither team able to get that first goal.

The 73s changed all that in period two, scoring three times, with Dan Reaume leading the way with a pair and a single going to Sean Ducharme.

Essex did not hold back in the final frame either, adding another three tallies to hand Alliston their worst defeat of the season. Reaume scored first to complete his hat trick. Sean Ducharme added his second on the night, while Nick Nicodemo rounded out the scoring with a late game shorthanded tally.

We were not going to let them get to us and claw their way back into this series, said Essex netminder Branden Robitaille. They were the ones taking the stupid penalties.

I think the mood in this building tonight killed any momentum they were trying to get, he added. The fans were great. Our mission is to wrap this thing up Saturday.

We stayed focused for the full 60 minutes, said Anthony Iaquinta. We had no lapses and we did a great job of ignoring the rough stuff. For the first time in the two series we have played them, I noticed some panic in their game. Winning this series on home ice would be great, but it is not a priority. The satisfaction would be just as great on Saturday.

You had to know that Alliston would be fired up for Saturdays game four, so the key for Essex would be to get to them early and take them and the home crowd out of the game early. Before the game was six minutes old, the 73s had achieved their goal by jumping out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Tanner Gallant and Mike Roach. This was the only scoring in the opening 20 minutes, although Essex had numerous other close calls.

The visitors put this game out of reach in the middle frame, notching another three times while totally dominating the home team. Wes Tan opened the scoring as he had the Hornets goaltender going the wrong way. Captain Nick Mariani ripped a slap shot from the top of the circle that found the back of the net, before Dan Bacon deflected a Mike Dobric shot past a startled Breton MacKinnon who had just replaced starter Troy Dowswell a few minutes earlier.

If the 5-0 lead was not enough, the 73s left no doubt as to the outcome in period three, scoring another pair for insurance. Nick Mariani and Dan Bacon both added their second of the evening.

We frustrated them big time, said first-year defenseman Adam Corbett. We shut them down so they could get nothing going. I cant really explain how I am feeling right now. This is a great organization. There is none better. How about our record this season? Its unbelievable.

Third-year veteran Wes Tan had trouble speaking as his smile was getting in the way.

Our mindset from the start of the season was simple, win it all, he said.

We just dominated the best team in Ontario. Its an unbelievable feeling. After coming up short the past few seasons the veterans were extremely hungry this time around and did not want to let this won slip away.

When the playoffs began, the players all had orange Essex 73s t-shirts with the following statement stenciled on the back: 20, one team, one goal. If you want to be a champion you must be willing to pay a greater price than your opponent. Mission accomplished!

Congratulations once again go out to the coaching and support staff on another incredible season. The fans in Essex are getting spoiled.

A big thank you goes out to the Essex 73s sponsors who came through once again, and the fans you are #1.