The Toronto Golden Jets and Ottawa Titans combined forces this year to create the “Golden Titans” team to enter the U19 NCL (National Championship League). And the result was spectacular as the team won the Eastern Conference playoffs and qualified for the Final Four National Championships in Calgary later this month.
The team had significant contributions from Jets members Luka Pejanovic, Petar Kovacevic and Maksim Cuturillo. U16 All-Star Bora Kaya was also a scoring contributor and Naum Dimitrijevic and Kane Law were also part of the winning unit.
The third seeded Golden Titans opened the weekend with a quarterfinal match against Mavs DS. The team led 5-3 after one quarter and extended the lead to 9-6 by the half. Then a pair of plus 4 quarters led to an easy 19-8 victory.
Diego Gonzalez paced the attack with 5 goals while Pejanovic added 4. Bogdan Djerkovic and Kovacevic each had hat tricks. Filip Lukic chipped in with a pair while Nikola Cugalj and Cuturillo added singles.
The semi-finals match was a hotly contested and physical affair with the second seeds from DDO Black (Montreal). DDO had beaten the Golden Titans in both games during the regular season including a five goal win. The teams fought to a 2-2 first period tie and the Golden Titans edged ahead 5-4 at the half. After the break, the Golden Titans turned it on and widened the margin to 9-5 heading into the final frame. However, DDO potted 3 goals int he first 3 minutes to close to within one. A Golden Titans goal with a little over a minute remaining was the final tally in a 10-8 win.
Cuturillo led all scorers with 5 goals. Gonzalez and Pejanovic both notched a pair with Djerkovic adding the other. With the win, the Golden Titans secured a spot in the National Final Four. All that was left was to play for the gold medal and a higher seed at the Finals.
The championship final pitted the Golden Titans against the number one seed Mavs. The Golden Titans had lost both times during the regular season. The Golden Titans opened strong and jumped into a 3-1 first quarter lead. A 3-2 second period extended the lead by one to 6-3. An identical third quarter put the Golden Titans up 9-5 heading into the final period where the team cruised to a 10-7 gold medal victory.
Curalj, Cuturillo, Djerkovic and Gonzalez each contributed two goals to the cause while Leandro Velasquez and Kaya added singles.
The Golden Titans now move on to the NCL Finals in Calgary May 23-25.
GREAT JOB and GOOD LUCK!!!