Recap

Ikhlas strikes first Apr 25, 2019
by Kashif Taqiuddin  

The Finals opened up with two teams facing off that were not originally favoured to make the finals. Both teams with contrasting games. Shukr known for its potent offense and led by Osman Buttar; Ikhlas with its stingy defense led by Zubair Wahid. Both teams looking to capitalize on their strengths.

 

The opening period started with a series of undisciplined penalties. Kashif “Coach K” Taqiuddin whistled for an uncharacteristic holding penalty with just under two minutes into the game. After preaching not to give Shukr a power play, he does the opposite with a trip to the sin-bin. Shukr’s power play went to work immediately but would be cut short as Sufyaan Shaikh and Arslan Mian roughing it up and getting coincidental penalties. (Fact: these two players were involved in a trade involving the two teams). With plenty of time still on the power play Shukr would set up but only to have Erfan Bhanapatel called for an unnecessary hooking penalty. Less than a minute later Hashim Qureshi joined the penalty parade with a tripping penalty. Ikhlas was given its first power play opportunity.

 

Normally you would see Luqman Arshad and Tahir Maarouf on the point for an Ikhlas power play but some bad line changes resulted in Zaid “Too-Too Train” Toorawa joining the power play unit and settling on the point. With his bench screaming at him to come off, Zaid ignores the critics and rips a screamer top shelf from the point on a beautiful set up by Zubair Waheed. Just like that he puts his team up 1-0 and gets revenge on the team that traded him.

 

From this point on both team settled down and managed to stay away from the penalty box for the remainder of the game. The first period was played tightly. Shukr did a fantastic job moving the ball from their zone and into the Ikhlas side. Unfortunately the stingy defense of Ikhlas came through and managed to keep the Shukr forwards to the outside with little opportunity to take shots. Ikhlas, on the other hand, was also unable to generate any offense and found themselves often scrambling in their zone to keep the Shukr players out. Not much more would materialize in this period and Ikhlas would hang on to the one goal lead at the first buzzer. Both teams put up some miserable offensive numbers. Ikhlas with just 1 goal on three shots and Shukr scoreless on just 4 shots.

 

The second half action was fast and furious. It was obvious that Shukr was going to reduce their lines and play heavier minutes for their stars in mind. Ali Wadee and Osman Buttar were going to log some heavy minutes in hopes of scoring and taking the lead. Ikhlas, on the other hand, preached a strategy that would force a dump and chase game that was meant to pressure the Shukr defense to move the ball. Who came out stronger? Shukr. Some hard forechecking and grinding by Tayyib Kaliar resulted in a turnover behind the Ikhlas net. With that Shukr was able to gain control. Tayyib was able to get free in the slot and fire a roller towards the net that slipped past a screened goalie. Just like that the game was tied.

 

But Ikhlas did not falter. They stuck to their game plan and it became evident that the tide was shifting during the period. Shukr has some veteran all-stars on the team and when they move the ball it’s like art-work. Absolutely beautiful to watch. They start from behind the net with some stretch passes that normally lead to a 2-on-1 fast break. But this was not to be. Ikhlas anticipated it and regularly chased the quarterback to make passes under duress. The result was Ikhlas constantly intercepting the ball and throwing it back on the Shukr end. The constant pressure in the Shukr zone started to take a toll on the Shukr players that were logging long minutes. It was only a matter of time when Ikhlas finally managed their second goal. Sufyaan Shaikh with the go-ahead goal with six minutes remaining. The pressure continued and just two minutes later when Sufyaan return for his next shift, he would add his second goal with a beautiful pass from Zubair Wahid. The goal was deflating but Shukr was not to give up. They pressured hard but were unable to muster a shot in the final minutes. Credit to Ali Wadee for stopping Zubair on a point blank shot in front of an empty net that kept the game 3-1. That’s the way the game would end. Ikhlas with the first strike and momentum going into the second and final game.

 

While Ikhlas celebrated the victory, many noted that Shukr wasn’t ever out of it. Both teams were unable  to generate much offense. Ikhlas finished with 3 goals on 12 shots but Shukr finished with a miserable 1 goal on just six shots! Shukr has a high hill to climb if they want to win the championship. Goalie Yasir Hussain is expected to shine if there’s any chance and the Shukr offense has to wake up otherwise they will be hibernation for the rest of the summer. Ikhlas is expected to rely on their defense and shut down the opposition. They know all they have to do is play for a tie in regulation to claim the trophy.

 

Following the game, Ikhlas’ GM Luqman Arshad was interviewed and had the following classic comments about the game when asked for his thoughts: “I really like the way we started. I thought we had a good start. You know, obviously, we need more discipline to stay out of the box. For sure we have to be ready to go. Need our legs under us and be ready. The other is a fast team. They are dangerous. They have lots of speed. Thankfully we found a way to win. We’re finding ways to be successful together. I’m doing whatever I can to help the team. We’re just trying to get the win and the two points.” Spoken like an NHL star.


 
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