Photos by David Lominska
Film Finances/ Gehache got the last word in the Santa Barbara 8 goal season, winning the Wickenden Cup Final 12-10 over Dark Horse.
Every time these two teams met in the 8 goal series the games were fast and exciting and this final was a great finish to the series. Leigh Brecheen started things off with a great field goal for Film Finances/ Gehache and then Dayelle Fargey quickly retaliated for Dark Horse. The teams were neck and neck throughout the 2nd chukker, and the 3rd chukker had great runs from both teams. First Jesse Bray scored, than Max Menini went up the boards and around all 7 other players to give Dark Horse a one goal lead. It looked like Dark Horse would take the lead into halftime, only to see Leigh Brecheen go coast to coast and score a beautiful cut shot to tie things up at 5 all late in the 3rd chukker.
Winners: FilmFinances/Gehache: Santi Wulff, Mike Sheller, Griffin Brecheen, Frederico Wulff, Leigh Brecheen
The score was 7-6 after the 4th in favor of Film Finances/ Gehache, with goals coming Santi Wulff and Mike Sheller for Film Finances/ Gehache, and Bray for Dark Horse, but the 5th chukker was dominated by Film Finances/ Gehache. First Santi Wulff scored on a penalty 3, then added two field goals. Bray scored on a field goal and added a penalty shot late in the chukker to keep Dark Horse in the game heading into the 6th.
MVP: Leigh Brecheen, Griffin Brecheen
At the start of the 6th chukker Santi Wulff made a spectacular goal on a penalty 5 from about 120 yards out to give his team a 3 goal lead, but Dark Horse had been deadly all season in the 6th and they came back fighting. Bray and Menini made two more goals to bring Dark Horse within one, and it was starting to look like another OT finish. But Santi Wulff got control of the ball with about two minutes left, and with brother Federico clearing a path for him scored a key insurance goal to put Film Finance/ Gehache ahead 12-10. Dark Horse got one last shot at goal but it was too late and Film Finance/ Gehache held the lead and avoided OT to win the Wickenden Cup.
BPP: “Jiji” Santi Wulff
BPP was “Jiji” for Santi Wulff and MVP was Leigh Brecheen
In the consolation, Mansour and Casa Sombras mixed teams to have a fun and relaxed game. 12 year old Conrad Kissling was high scorer with 4 goals
That concludes the Santa Barbara 8 goal season, next up is the Last Chance tournament for 1 goal and 4 goal teams
Photos by David Lominska