Dukes Win Playoff Opener on Purpur Game winner

After capturing the Metro West Regular Season Championship, the Dukes began their six game round robin league playoffs in grand fashion, defeating the hard hitting (league leaders in penalties), aptly named Waubonsie Valley Warriors 6-3.

The Warriors jumped out to a 2-1 first period lead, taking advantage of some power play opportunities.  The Dukes then played a stellar second period, starting with a Tyler Reichl ice hugging backhand shot from below the right circle that had just enough juice to get past the Warrior goalie.  Duke winger Angelo DeSimone then scored on a Hossa-like swinging connection in front for a 3-2 lead.  York defenseman Hayden Purpur then made an aggressive break on the puck, picking off a Warrior breakout pass. Purpur carried the puck through the neutral zone, shook off a defender and wristed in what was the game winning goal from between the circles.

York’s Brett Cozzi and Sam Felder added goals for the coffin nails, and Mike Barabolak recorded two assists for the Dukes’ Friday night home win at the Addison Ice Arena.

Playoff Game 2:  Dukes 4  Lincoln Way East 2

Twenty-four hours after their playoff-opening win, York travelled to the Orland Park Arctic Ice Arena to battle the Lincoln Way East (LWE) Griffins.   In a nice change of pace, York jumped out to an early lead when Nick Albergo led a 2 on 1 rush, setting up Eric Russell for a tap in at the 9:12 mark.   Nick Albergo’s unselfishness was reciprocated when defensemen Steven Skawski and Brad Bosworth set up Albergo on a power play and Albergo ripped a nasty slapshot from the left circle that the LWE goalie could not see, let alone react in time to stop.

In the second period, the York “defensive play of the game” involved goalie Jason Kuzara’s glove snatch of a bullet-like Griffin deflection.  The unbelievable quick, cat-like save had the Duke fans applauding and the LWE team shaking their heads in disbelief.  LWE finally scored on a power play and then scored quickly in the third period to tie the score 2-2.

York regrouped and then executed a textbook breakout. Duke defensemen Purpur and Skawski moved the puck quickly to DeSimone, who rapidly passed the biscuit onto the racing Nick Albergo’s tape, who set up Eric Russell (positioned perfectly off the far post) for the game winner.   Sam Felder, who played a very exceptional puck possession game, back handed in a goal in the final minute to seal the 4-2 York win.