FHL

The Bears turn into grinches, stealing victory from Blue Collar, while Fraser River tosses Serenity in a last minute win.

In a game that should have been a laugher, the Fab Five players that donned their skates for BCS turned in a performance for the ages that collapsed less than a second short of the Fat Lady singing.

Even Tiny Tim couldn’t fathom the game’s outcome as Bear, splendid in their Candy Cane striped unis, seemed to be playing cat and mouse with Blue Collar thanks to an offensive assault by Scott (Lady Byng) Fairless who flashed his brilliance on two tallies.

Enjoying what looked to be a romp was Chad (Comet) Swanson, Dan (Dasher) Lowndes and Grant (Prancer) Johannesen who all scored from point blank range. It was not so fast my furry friend as Bear turned down their intensity and were overrun by a Blue Collar flurry of chances.

A rebound tally by Nathan (Nuclear) Strand and a blue line slapper by Derek (Dancer) Burdikin kept BCS within hailing distance, allowing the Miracle to unfold as Bear had sugar plums dancing in their heads.

A gorgeous one timer from Colin (Quick) Keis followed by a breakaway beauty from Kevin (Nightrider) Hesslegrave caught the Bears attention and a power play mesh rippler that tied the game off the stick of Brody (Blitzen) Neighbour definitely woke up the slumbering Bears.

With time winding down and Blue Collar scurrying for an improbable victory, the clock struck midnight on the Black Cinderella Story, as Scott (Lady Byng) Fairless lofted the puck from deep in his zone over top of the Fab Five and onto the stick of Scott (Scrooge) Davis who coolly skated in on a clear-cut breakaway.

With the Bear bench yelling for (Scrooge) to take a shot, he gave a quick head fake and then skewered the Blackhearts as the vulcanized rubber slipped over the line with a tenth of a second on the clock to make the final 6-5 as Wooville fell silent.

The other contest was also a nail biter as the Chevy Crew used an extra couple of minutes to their advantage to snap the Builders 1 game winning streak, 4-3.

The fast paced game was arguably the best contest of the year for both squads as Serenity was lead by Lee (Mickey Mouse) Naeth and Rob (Leprechaun) Lentz who both scored singletons while adding an assist.

A trio of Motormen used their turbochargers to good use as Shane (The Pain) Thon and Jarett (Domino) Dumas put the biscuit in the basket and drew assists but it was Ian (Heartbreaker) Hannah who ruthlessly dashed Serenity’s hopes as he scored the tying and winning goals for Fraser Rivers 10th victory of the season.

Quesnel Cariboo Observer