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Storm Sizzle in Semi-Final Skirmish: Seek to Secure Certain Success in Season Finale
3/3/2020 3:55

The month of March brings with it many familiar comforts. The first signs of spring begin to appear, LLC's file their IT-204-LL New York licensing fees, and TABC and DRS, in all likelihood, meet again to partake in meaningful playoff hockey games.

March 1, 2020 was no exception as Nate-the-bus-driver took an eager 8-win JV Storm team over the Bridge and into/onto Long Island where the 9-1 Wildcats sat waiting to host. With only room for one of these teams at Lawrence Middle School, both teams were determined to come out of the Greenhouse with a win in their back pockets.

TABC was buzzing from the opening faceoff, looking to silence the DRS faithful who packed the gym for the 1 PM matinee. Their resiliency paid dividends at around the halfway mark when AJ Seplowitz located a loose ball in the crease that was ripe for the back of the net. AJ obliged and TABC broke the ice.

The Storm weathered the Wildcats ensuing attack and fortuitously funneled a second goal through Rephael Gemal's 5-hole.

TABC went into the break with a multi-goal lead and Seplowitz was two-thirds on the way to a hattrick.

The second period featured a spirited effort from the men in green as DRS scored a minute in and followed that up with maintained relentless pressure in the TABC end. TABC certainly bent but refused to break and much of that was due to the efforts of the formidable defensive depth in conjunction with the stellar work of Freshman goalie Chaim Mermelstein. The Storm survived the 2nd, clinging to their 1 goal lead.

After spending much of the 2nd in their own defensive end, TABC decided it was time to re-acquaintance themselves with the offensive zone. They came out flying in the final frame and Eitan Adler was the beneficiary after just 44 seconds, as he scored the Storms' third goal from in tight. 

Refusing to take their foot off the gas, TABC really gave it to the flustered home team. 90 seconds after the Adler goal, Seplowitz completed the hattrick with a wrister through traffic that silenced the DRS fans once and for all.

The 4-1 score remained through the final buzzer, sending TABC to the championship, their 4th finals appearance in as many years.