Badgers claw into nationals
Marc MacDonald
Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: Sports
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The Badgers, in similar fashion to the Western series of two weeks ago, stamped their ticket to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national championships with a Ryan Del Monte overtime winner in the deciding game.
After goaltender Matt Harpwood stood on his head in game one, recording 43 saves on 45 shots in a 4-2 win, the Badgers travelled to Thunder Bay, knowing that if they were to win the series, they would need to cut down on the amount of rubber directed at Harpwood.
"We can't take penalties," said head coach Murray Nystrom. "Our best penalty killer was our goaltender and that in itself can help, but if you're always in the box you have fewer bodies to defend against it."
One of the penalties proved to be costly for the Badgers, as Del Monte was called for hitting from behind with just over a minute to go, ensuring he would not see action in game two, a difficult task for Brock's emotional leader.
"It's never fun to sit in the stands and watch," said Del Monte. "I was pacing back and forth all night; the butterflies were in full effect because when you're in the stands you don't control anything."
After the big game one win, the Badgers faced the difficult task of having to go to Thunder Bay and win on Thunderwolf turf.
"It's tough to go up there and win games," said J.J. Martin, who scored the empty net goal to ensure a Brock win in game one. "They have a great atmosphere and crowd behind them so we'll need to bear down if we want to win."
Game two saw the Thunderwolves come out aggressive, a clear indication that their backs were against the wall and losing was not an option.
Lakehead exploded for four goals in the opening frame and never looked back. Despite the Badgers' best efforts, the Thunderwolves were able to hold on for a 4-3 win.
Little did Lakehead know, but those first period goals would be the last they would score in the series.
After game one, Nystrom said that he had seen the best performance of his senior goalie's career, only to find out that Harpwood could be even better.
"In game three he was incredibly effective," said Nystrom. "He didn't face as many shots as he did in game one, but he played with great confidence."
"He directed pucks away from the net and didn't give up second chances and rebounds. That's the part he carried over from game one. He was excellent for us."
Harpwood would finish the series without allowing a goal for the final 105 minutes and turned away 100 of the 106 shots he faced.
"It was definitely a bit of a grind," said Harpwood. "I have to give credit to my teammates though, because a lot of the shots were from the outside."
Harpwood's composure was tested throughout the series, especially in game three when he was run on a couple of plays.
"We had prepared for that," said Harpwood. "When you're in the zone and you're playing well you kind of feed off of it, because they know they're coming at you."
Del Monte, who had few words to explain the feeling of his overtime winner versus Western, had even fewer to describe his historic goal.
"At first I couldn't believe it," said Del Monte. "I was in complete shock. It sank in a few seconds later; it's probably one of the biggest highlights of my life."
With the series victory, the Badgers will now host the Queen's Cup - which is awarded to the OUA champion - as they welcome the McGill Redmen, the 10th ranked team in the nation.
After knocking off the ninth and third-ranked teams in the country, Western and Lakehead respectively, there is no reason to believe they cannot do the same to McGill.
Despite the outcome of the Queen's Cup, the Badgers will head to Moncton for the CIS championships, but Nystrom made it clear that the McGill game is as important as all the others.
"Saturday is a championship game," said Nystrom. "It's a game for a trophy that is 105 years old and one of the oldest trophies in hockey - it means a lot."
Not only is it a game for a championship, but also a game where Brock can prove to anyone who has doubted them that they belong.
"I think all the guys are more excited for this game than anything else," said Del Monte. "We want to prove to everyone in the OUA that we belong here."
"A lot of teams have discredited us due to past performances and years past, so this is our chance to show everyone that we're for real and we're all excited."
The Badgers will host the Queen's Cup on March 8 against the McGill Redmen at 7:35 p.m. at the Seymour-Hannah Centre.
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