Bandits and Lions to Play in ECJLL Finals

Looking back through the 2016 season, the story of these two teams could not be more different.

The Dartmouth Bandits, seemingly unblemished aside from a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Lions, have made their presence felt all season. Dominating points for (184), points against (74), and goal differential (+115), the Bandits relied on a heavy dose of physicality. And when that failed them, they relied on their depth at seemingly every position to simply wait out tougher opponents.

The Halifax Northwest Marley Lions, who heading into the season were billed as a top tier team, showed signs of regression throughout 2016. Two losses at the hands of the Sackville Sportwheels Wolves, and two ties against the up-and-coming NB Mavericks cast a shadow over a third place finish with a 7-6-2 record. By some accounts, the bright spots simply weren’t bright enough.

Nevertheless, here we sit with the first and third seeds playing in what is expected to be another classic in the Garnet Knight Cup Finals.


Bandits Cruise Past Mavericks


In previous seasons, the first seed has been a huge advantage in semi final play as the fourth seed typically has not provided much resistance on route to the Finals. Though the Bandits were able to take the series in three games, the New Brunswick Mavericks didn’t make it easy on them.

GAME ONE RESULTS

GAME TWO RESULTS

GAME THREE RESULTS

After a shaky start and a 24-9 loss, the Mavericks buckled down and rose to the challenge, losing 15-13 and 13-10 in the final two games of the series. Led by a relentless offensive attack, Dartmouth averaged 17.33 goals per game, up more than five goals from their 12.26 goals per game in the regular season.

The Mavericks almost came away with a win in Game 2, nearly besting the tired Bandits who traveled to Moncton from Halifax. The travel time played a substantial role in this series, with only one weekend game and teams traveling in the late afternoon for an 8pm game time.

The Bandits had nine players with 10+ points over the three game series, and have to expect the same players to step up in the ECJLL Finals. Breton Penney, Trey Carvery, and Captain Bobby Green led the way, and will look for depth behind them with Alex Taylor and Greg Nussey providing complimentary scoring to overpower the Lions.


Lions Win Another Five Game Series


One thing you can say about the Marley Lions – they don’t make it easy on themselves. Playing in their third straight five game playoffs series (two in 2015), the Lions have mastered winning close games. Throughout the five games of their semi final against the Halifax Southwest Hurricanes, the three wins that put them into the ECJLL Finals were by scores of 9-8, 7-6, and 7-6. After having a 3-1 lead in Game 4 early in the third, and ultimately losing 5-3 in the overtime period, you had to expect that Game 5 would be just as tight.

GAME ONE RESULTS

GAME TWO RESULTS

GAME THREE RESULTS

GAME FOUR RESULTS

GAME FIVE RESULTS

The Marley Lions offense pieced together just enough to make it out alive in this series, with timely scoring from depth players, and solid defensive contributions on the offensive side of the ball. Ryan Keays, Neil McCallum, and Matt Mayer all had impact plays in transition for the Lions, who relied on their defense to keep them around late into games.

Thomas Sangster, who saw point totals decrease from 30 to 11 from 2015 to 2016 in the regular season, came through for the Lions with three goals in Game’s 4 and 5 of this series. His play will be crucial in complementing the left side of the offense against the Bandits.

Justin Misener, another crucial piece of the Lions offense, came through in Game 5 with a three goal output.  All these pieces need to come together for the Marley Lions to be successful, and they did in three of the five games against the Hurricanes.


Bandits keys to Victory

• Focus on physicality
• Continue to use a balanced offense
• Attack in transition

The Bandits have always been a physical team, and have bullied others at time over the course of 2016. They need to continue to do so in the ECJLL Finals. Be physical at the point of attack, wear down the other teams’ offense, and take chances and they will be successful.

On the opposite side of the ball, the Bandits have 5-8 players that can all be successful on any given day on the offensive side. Continue to work the ball around, and avoid becoming individualistic. That being said, they have three or four players that could take command of the offense if need be.

Finally, the Bandits have always been a good transitioning team, and this is no secret. Work this transition game and look to take advantage of the Lions should they get caught napping at the door.


Lions Keys to Victory

• Stay disciplined on D
• Stay patient on O
• Get early lead

The Lions have an uphill battle as they prepare to face a one-loss team on five days rest. A five game series is gruelling on any team, and it took its toll on the Lions in last year’s final against the Hurricanes.

In games against the Dartmouth Bandits during the regular season, the Lions had a tendency to lose their cool, something that can’t happen in the finals. Work on staying committed to the messages Head Coach Tyler James preaches, and stay disciplined on both ends of the floor.

On defense, the Hurricanes could not match up with the Lions five on five, as a result of great defensive play from unit leaders Dan MacEachern, Ryan Keays, and Neil McCallum. Expect more of the same in this series, with the Lions D and Bandits O being the most exciting matchup to watch.

On offense, the Bandits have simply stalled opponents and forced them to take unnecessary risks. The Marley Lions needs to stay patient and get inside on this offense. Goaltender of the Year for 2016 Ayden Pierro is a prototypical stay-at-home goaltender, and getting inside and making him move will be very important for the Lions. Crease players Thomas Sangster, John MacDonald, and Jerome Glowacki will play an important role in this.

Finally, throughout 2016 the Lions have had a tendency to play from behind in any game. Getting an early lead at the start of any period is crucial to winning tight games, which the Lions have mostly done with success in these playoffs.  


Summary


All said and done, this series will be a battle. The playoffs are a different beast and the Lions and Bandits will both come to play. Each team has roles players, and will need to rely heavily on each one executing their role at a high level to be successful.
Expect leadership on both teams to be evident throughout the five game set. Bobby green has lead this Bandits group since the get-go, as has John MacDonald in 2016.
An underlying storyline will be the play of each team’s young players, and who can overcome the other en route to the championship. Lions rookies Matt Wilson and Aidan Walsh on offense and Mark Seward, Adam Grimmitt, and Matt Mayer have all stepped up so far in the playoffs and will be expected to do so again in this finals. For the Bandits, rookies Jordan McKenna and Dalton Brown have the ability to provide a huge boost on either side of the ball, and if they do the Lions could be in trouble.
For the first time since 2011 we will have a champion other than the Halifax Southwest Hurricanes, and with that there is an excitement to this series. Neither team can be counted out, and look for both sides to try and get the upper hand early on Thursday:

FINALS SCHEDULE

Games:

Thursday, July 21, 2016 – 7:30pm @ Shearwater Arena

Saturday, July 23, 2016 – 7:30pm @ Halifax Forum

Sunday, July 24, 2016 – 7:30pm @ Shearwater Arena

Wednesday, July 27, 2016 – 7:30pm @ Sackville Arena*

Thursday, July 28, 2016 – 7:30pm @ Shearwater Arena*
 
*If necessary