ELLIOT LAKE BOBCATS

2010-2011

RUSSELL CUP CHAMPIONS

BOBCATS REBOUND FROM 3-1 SERIES DEFICIT TO TAKE TITLE IN GAME 7

OF RUSSELL CUP FINAL!

April 3, 2011

The Elliot Lake Bobcats are GMHL Champions for 2010-2011!

It's not often that teams come back from the brink of elimination trailing 3 games to 1 in a Best of Seven series in any sport, but the Bobcats accomplished that very feat with an 8-5 victory over the South Muskoka Shield in Game 7 in front of a packed house at Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake, and winning the Russell Cup Championship!

After losing three of the first four games to the South Muskoka Shield, and with their backs to the wall, the Cats reeled off three straight wins for their first title in team history.

After a disappointing result in last year's playoffs, despite finishing first overall in the regular season as they did again this season, the Cats were not going to be denied this time around, and when the empty net goal with seconds left sealed the deal, it was obvious having home ice advantage for the deciding match and sharing the victory with their loyal supporters made the victory even that much sweeter.

Things looked good for Elliot Lake early on when they scored 2 goals within 3 minutes in the latter stages of the first period, but the Shield got back into the game with a goal of their own only a few seconds from time.

The Bobcats scored two more quick ones early in the second to take a commanding 4-1 lead by the 5 minute mark, and their confidence grew.  But the experienced and playoff-tested Shield were not going away that easily and with less than 7 minutes remaining in the period, South Muskoka scored on the powerplay to make it 4-2, and before the ink was dry on the scoresheet, they added two more within seconds, and just like that, the score was tied up at 4-4!

Elliot Lake responded to the change in momentum with a goal of their own 2 minutes later to take a 5-4 lead, a margin they would maintain to start the third.

The Bobcats jumped on the Shield early to take a 6-4 lead just 2 minutes in, followed by another with a little over 12 minutes to play to restore their 3 goal lead, 7-4, and the expectation from the home fans grew once again!

South Muskoka got one back with just under half the period left to make it 7-5, and the decision was still in doubt.  Despite their best effort, the Shield would not get another past Matt Perry in the Bobcats net, and after South Muskoka pulled Goaltender Rob Sutherland for the extra attacker, the Cats put the exclamation point on the win with the empty netter.

Three straight wins including an 8-5 title clincher on home ice and it doesn't get any better!

In what most agree was the finest Russell Cup Final to date, the Elliot Lake Bobcats defeat the South Muskoka Shield 4 games to 3, and are worthy GMHL Champions.

Congratulations to both teams on great seasons, finishing 1-2 in the regular season standings, and once again, a first-ever Russell Cup for the Bobcats!

A hearty thank you to all our teams on a fine 5th anniversary season, and we are already looking forward to year number 6, with many new member clubs, and we wish all of our players the very best of luck as you move on with your hockey and academic careers, and whatever path you choose.

Thank you to all of our faithful fans who supported your teams and supported the GMHL, and we also wish you nothing but the best in the future.  Have a wonderful summer, and hopefully see you around the rink!

Well done Elliot Lake Bobcats - 2010-2011 Russell Cup Champions!