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Flyers_Playoffs_2002_Pt2

Feature Article February 13

Feature ArticleFebruary 13, 2002

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Finish regular season in second and

Flyers_Playoffs_2002_Pt2Flyers start playoffs with a winby Bill Cuthill The regular season is over, and now the playoffs have begun. The Flyers finished the season tied for first place when they lost in overtime the last game of the season. This left three teams tied for first: Flyers, Raiders, and Pirates; and left the top brass of the league having to wipe the dust of the constitution and see what the rules are for a three-way tie. The result were that it came to the most games won; thus Raiders finished first, Flyers second, and Pirates third. This gave the Flyers home ice advantage in the first round, which started this past Sunday, so the Flyers did not have much time to advertise. The crowd was pretty good and they saw a very exciting first game. Before the game, manager Jamie Kirkpatrick had a closed door with the players, and challenged the players. If the Flyers were going to win, they had to control their emotions. Everyone understood that the Flyers have to be physical and emotional, but nine misconduct penalties, six of them for verbal abuse was something he was not going to put up with any longer. To give the players credit, they responded and played the best game of the season. Flyers were led by the two overage with Mike Thompson getting a goal and two assists, followed by Matt Lowe with one goal and one assist. Cory Thompson got what proved to be the winning goal and Rob Smith scored the insurance goal. Kyle King, the new goalie the Flyers acquired when Rob Laurin went down with a knee injury, played a excellent game on his 17th birthday, and was presented the game puck by coach Ryan Vivian.

Before the game Derek Mack was presented with the top trophy for top points and Most Valuable Player of the league. Derek had a amazing season, with more points than any other Junior C player in the Ontario Hockey Association. With 45 teams across Ontario, this is quite a accomplishment.

Derek wasn't the only winner on Sunday. The 50-50 draw on the tickets the Flyers had been selling the past few months was drawn by Wayne Tod, Chairman of the OHA, and John Burt of Godfrey was the winner of over $1,000. John, my phone number is in the book if you want to take me out for a coffee, seeing that I sold it to you at the Frontenac Mall.

The next game is in Picton on Thurs. Feb. 14, at 7.20 p.m. If you can go, the Flyers will sure appreciate the support. The third game is at North Frontenac Arena, Sun. Feb 17, at 3.15 p.m. The fourth game is in Picton again on Mon. Feb. 18, at 8.20 p.m. If a fifth game is necessary, it will be at North Frontenac Tues. Feb. 19, 7.20 p.m.Again, if you haven't seen a Flyer game, now is the time. You will not see any more exciting playoff hockey than what is going on in your arena right now. See you at the arena!!!

With the participation of the Government of Canada