Tilahun Scores Four; Sting Sweep Kings in Damascus Cup Finals
Tuesday, May 6, 2014 – The stage was packed during the Damascus Cup Final. Members of the Sharks, Jets & Cylcones witnessed one of the best games they would see all year. Two teams fighting for the Championship they’d been working for all season long. The air was electric. The Sting, looking to secure their first Damascus Cup in franchise history, & the Kings, back again to avenge last year’s defeat, faced off in an epic battle of skill and heart. With all-stars on both squads, there would arise an unlikely hero in Game 2.
Matias Tilahun made his presence known, scoring four goals in the Game 2 to lead the Sting to a two-game sweep of the Kings, and in doing so, capturing their first Damascus Cup Championship in franchise history. For many of the Sting, this was not only their first championship, but also their first season in the league. They however, didn’t play like it.
The Sting executed like a well-oiled machine in Game 2. They took the lead in the 1st period, with goals by coach, Marc-Nicholas Martin-Paulichenko… *panting... that’s a long name*, and Tilahun. The Kings were not about to let this game slip away for them, as they countered with a goal of their own by regular season MVP, Cody Saunders, to keep it close after one.
The 2nd was a mirror image of the 1st. The Sting possessed the ball for the majority of the period, while the Kings remained patient and created scoring opportunities in transition. Dylan Traverse extended the Sting’s lead, before Kings’ coach, Ben Rockwell, got it right back. Traverse would again extend the lead, only to have Rockwell get it back before the period expired.
The Sting were 16-1 when leading after two periods of play this season, with that one loss coming at the hands of the Kings. But the Sting would not be denied their Championship.
The 3rd belonged to the Sting, and one player in particular, Matias Tilahun. Tilahun scored three goals in the frame (a nature hat-trick if you don’t count his goal in the first) to put the game to bed and secure the league title. The Kings were under constant attack in the period and couldn’t counter, but were forced to ride the play of goaltender, Aaron Lagimodiere. Despite the loss, Lagimodiere stood on his head to keep the game as close as it was, with half the goals being scored by deflection or on 2nd/3rd chances.
Game 2 final score: Sting – 7 Kings - 3
Players of the Game
Kings: Cody Saunders – 1 goal, 1 assist
Sting: Matias Tilahun – 4 goals
Damascus Cup MVP: Aaron Lagimodiere – 2-2, 4.38GAA
