Mapleton-Minto 81's - 2008-09 81's Season

2008-09 81's Season

Palmerston would get off to a hot start to begin the regular season, winning their first seven games. The 81's would continue to play good hockey throughout the regular season, finishing off with a 14-4-2 record, earning 30 points, and fourth in the WOAA North Division.

Palmerston opened the playoffs against the Durham Thundercats, with the winner advancing to the "AA" quarter-finals. The 81's opened the series with a 9-2 victory, followed by a 6-2 win the second game to take a 2-0 series lead. The third game would be determined in overtime, as the scored was tied 4-4 after three periods of play, and it would be Palmerston earning the victory to take the 3-0 series lead. The fourth game would once again be tied 4-4 after regulation time, and the 81's would earn the series sweep, by scoring in the extra period and advance to the "AA" quarter-finals.

In the "AA" quarter-finals, the 81's faced off against the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks, where Saugeen Shores would take an early series lead by defeating Palmerston 5-3 in the series opener, followed by a 7-6 Winterhawks victory in the second game. Saugeen Shores would continue their winning ways in the third game, defeating the 81's 6-4 to take a 3-0 series lead. Palmerston would fight off elimination in the fourth game, defeating the Winterhawks 8-5, however, Saugeen Shores would end the 81's season in the fifth game with a 4-2 victory over Palmerston.