First Row: Joel Hulsman
2nd Row: Jason Stafford, Rob McCrory, John Southerst, Brent Tyers
3rd Row: Tony Valaitis, Derek Shebib, Mike Dickenson, Angelo Misale
Absent: Mike Dufour

Ancaster Men’s Hockey League Junior division championship ended with high drama as the Flames scored a last-minute tying marker with their goaltender on the bench and then roofed the winner in overtime for a 2-1 victory over a fast and tenacious Sabres team.

The comeback ended a storybook season for the Flames, who flirted with last place through mid-winter, then scratched and clawed their way to finish third in regular season play before going the distance in the playoffs.

Defensive Gem

Led by captain Jason Stafford, the Flames orchestrated a defensive gem in the final.

The winning formula began with outstanding goaltending from Joel Hulsman, who stood on his head after coming back from a late-season knee injury, and rock-solid work from defencemen Tony Valaitis, Brent Tyers, Rob McCrory and Tom Carson.

The Sabres, led by captain Dan Mahler, were just as stingy with the chances, however. They struck first with six minutes left to break the scoreless tie.

But as time ticked down and with Hulsman on the bench, a clearing pass was intercepted at the blueline and relayed to Angelo Misale, alone in front. He deked and flipped in a backhand to force overtime with 30 seconds left. Jim Barta scored the winner on a rising rocket from the slot to finish it.

Close scores and tight standings all year -- eight points between first and last place at the end -- are a credit to the league. It was fitting that the thrilling final lived up to that standard.