Diesels have been playing great team hockey the last few weeks despite what the record has shown.  A sense of confidence that is desparately needed when the playoffs start!  Game 1 vs. the Mariners was a great test to see if the Diesels have come far enough from the previous struggles.  Mariners always seem to be a thorn in the Diesels' side as they lost in the finals 2 years ago and haven't been able to solve the matchup riddle since.  This week, the coaching staff was preparing day and night to get the winning strategy locked in.  The team was ready from the start!  Period 1 was a trade of small hits back and forth as both teams were jockeying for position to get the first goal.  Both netminders played great and kept the score 0-0 after 1.  Diesels strike first on a Blue Line clapper from Coach Deke that sails chest high to Lubig in front.  Lubes, knowing it's playoff time, avoids flinching out of the way and takes the shot off the chest and settles it to the slot area where Aaron Davis nets the important 1st goal!  That seemed to wake up the Mariners as they turn up the pressure and get 2 goals to take the lead as time is closing on the 2nd period.  Jeff Donaldson gets the tap immediately after surrendering the 2nd goal and takes advantage of a Mariner turnover at the Diesel blue line, going end to end with a quick snipe using the Mariner D-man as a screen that Cholette was late to see.  Period ends in a 2-2 tie.  You could feel the excitement in the packed house for period 3.  Diesels continue with the momentum and score early in the period, but the goal was waved off for the net being pushed off.  Diesels try to pleed their case to the reffing staff to no avail.  Face-off in the zone as called.  That sparked a little fire in Riley as he wins the next few contested battles and draws a crucial penalty that could decide the game.  Some clutch zone possession at the top of the umbrella and with some tic-tac-toe action from Nico, Deke, and Jeff, they ultimately find Riley on the back side who snipes a lazer to the top right corner for the HUGE goal!  You couldn't have drawn it up any better!  Rest of the game is a battle to the very end.  Multiple chances for both sides and even some near misses at the empty net for security.  Diesels prevail 3-2 in their playoff opener!  Huge thanks to Crisi for subbing!

The Diesels came ready to play and we did not. They outworked us all game and took advantage on the power play late to take the lead and held on.