If i was a gambling man I would be broke right now. With the chips down and the dice in hand the 4th place Winnipeg Pikeys HC came into Sunday's Winnipeg Team Handball League Men's semi final against the 1st place Winnipeg Blitz looking to let it ride.
The Winnipeg Blitz HC finished at the top of the WTHL this season with a 15-1-2 record and were given a bye to the
WTHL semi finals for winning the regular season. Blitz HC came into Sunday's game well rested and ready to battle.
The 4th place Winnipeg Pikeys HC finished the season with a 12-6-0 record. Fresh off a big 23-22 win in the quarter finals over the Winnipeg Shockers HC; the Pikeys were ready for a fight.
The Winnipeg Blitz were held to 6 points in the first half by the Pikeys HC's solid defensive play. Only 3 Blitz HC players were able to find their way through as Hassan Nasser had 3 goals, Derek Brunet had a pair and Quinn Dodds scored a single.
In the first half, the Winnipeg Pikeys HC stunned Blitz HC with 5 different players opening the scoring. Brad Smale, Quintin Kuby and Bryce Jones all had a pair of goals. Meanwhile, Christian Hall and Kevin Turner pitched in single to put the Winnipeg Pikeys HC up 11-6 at the half.
The Winnipeg Blitz wasn't quite done yet though, as they would fire back 10 times in the 2nd half but it wouldn't be enough to stop Pikeys HC. Four players would make up the scoring in the comeback attempt. Derek Brunet would lead the way with 4 more goals in the 2nd to add to his game total of 6. Nasser Hassan would net 2 more in the 2nd to add to his total of 5 goals. Quinn Dodds would score a pair for a total of 3 on the night. Brock Harrison would pitch in a single.
With all the cards on the table and it was all said and done, the 4th place Winnipeg Pikeys HC upset the 1st place Winnipeg Blitz by a score of 22 to 16. The Winnipeg Pikeys advance to the the Winnipeg Team Handball Men's A Final on Sunday April 2nd, 2023 at River Polytechnic Notre Dame campus North Gym at 3:30pm CST.
Steven D. Schneider
Handballtv.ca
