9:00 pm: Ikhlas vs Shukr
Shutdown Huzaifa Panchbhaya and Rahman Rana - CHECK
Shutdown Humza Ali and Maaz Haq - CHECK
Next Challenge. Shutdown Humza Chaudhry and Erfan Bhanapatel. Ikhlas comes in guns a-blazing, defeating challenge after challenge. Rolling into the finals after dethroning the 2018 Fall champions in overtime. Some say it was a lucky goal by Tahir Mahrouf, but in the end, it doesn’t matter. Haya wasn’t going to let this be an easy victory as they peppered Imran Alvi with 15 shots after only registering 4 shots in game one. Humza Ali tapped in a loose ball with 2 seconds left to force overtime, but Ikhlas prevailed. Zaid Toorawa had an immaculate chance in ending Hayas season on a breakaway with less than 60 seconds to play in the 2nd period but couldn’t control the ball as it ultimately got away from him. Safe to say, after the stern talking from Coach K, Zaid’s antics will be on a short leash for the championship games. Ikhlas knows all about winning, as this team is constructed with multiple pool A salaam cup champions and I-Slam champions. The key for Ikhlas in game 1 is to simply keep doing what they have been doing. Keep clogging up the neutral zone, and nullify the speed of Shukr. It’s worked so far. Since the trade went down and subsequently moving Zubair Wahid up to offence, this team has just taken off. Abu Manjra has taken his game to the next level totalling 4 points in the last 2 games. On the opposite side, Shukr is rolling with ease into the finals. Cruising by Yaqeen 4-1 in the wild card game, and just dismantling the offence of Ihsan by a score of 5-2. Shukr has outscored its opponents 10-3 in the playoffs. This savvy group of players turn the notch a level higher when it comes to playoff hockey. Sleeper pick Erfan Bhanapatel, who was called out by analysts, responded in a huge manner as he picked up 4!!! Goals last game. Shukr has it all. Offence. Defence. Goaltending. This offense runs through the young stud Humza Chaudhry who has finally taken his game to the next level. This kid is simply amazing to watch. Buttery smooth with his execution, he is leading the playoffs with 7 points (3G 4A). If he continues to drive the ball like has the past few games, Shukr will break the unstoppable defensive core of Ikhlas. Although offense is where this team shines, the defence has been rock solid as Osman Buttar and Ali Wadee have played most of their minutes here, and they’re strong play help shut down the leagues best offense in Ihsan. But probably the most surprising is the play of goalie Yasir Hussain, who has put forth his best season in years. This will be one hell of a championship series. 2 Wild Card Teams. Married at the hip from the huge mid season trade. It has all come full circle. Will the championship experience of Shukr be too much for Ikhlas to handle? Or will Ikhlas continue its Cinderella story and dismantle another high-octane offence. Find out Friday – 9pm.
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