The AJHL’s final round of playoffs pitted two of the top teams in the league to vie for the President’s Cup. The Knights came out victorious in the best of three series against the Northern Cyclones.
It was no easy feat for the Knights. The Knights lost the first game of the series 2-0 against the Cyclones. The first period was dominated by the Knights club, however the Cyclones took it to them in the next two periods and managed to defeat the Knights. The loss was the first one for the team in the playoffs.
The Knights bounced back from their first loss of the playoffs with a lopsided 9-2 win. Bobby Polachek had 3 goals, Hunter Long scored twice, while Erik Moberg, Alex Paolo, Jason Zaleski, and Gaven LaValley each had a goal. The Cyclones tallied up 75 minutes in penalties, and the Knights took the opportunities to capitalize. Their power play scored on three different attempts. Goaltender Mike DeLaVergne made 32 saves on 34 shots.
After tying up the series at one game apiece, the Knights were ready to take on the Cyclones for the third and final game of the series. Knights forward Nick Carey scored in the first period to give the team the lead. However, Cyclones forward Kevin Valenti scored to tie the game up, then his teammate Brian Bowen scored in the second period to put the Cyclones ahead. Just as the Cyclones thought that they would be hoisting the President’s Cup, Knights forward Matt Cessna ties the game at 2-2 with just 22 seconds remaining in the third period. Then, with just over four minutes remaining in the first overtime, Matt Cessna scored the game-winner. For his in-game heroics, Cessna was named the Most Valuable Player of the Playoff Championship Series. Goaltender Mike DeLaVergne played every playoff game for the Knights and finished out the post-season playing seven games with a 6-1 record, 2.61 goals against average, and a .914 save percentage.
The final series win gives the Knights the first President’s Cup in their short three year history.
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