2021 Cherry Cup Champion: Cherry's Checkers

 The shortened (thank goodness) 2021 CFHL season has come to a close.  The Cherry Cup Finals were, well, less than dramatic or memorable.  Sorry Checkers and California Raisins.  It had some drama in the first two nights, but then it was pretty much over.  Anti-climatic ending to our season.  But still fun none the less.  

The odds were stacked against the Raisins, who were facing a superior offensive squad, and even if they could win both goalie categories, they would need to steal at least 2 additional skater categories. It didn't help that out of the gates their two goalies, Jarry and Saros, struggled.  Saros got the win, but had to go into OT to get it after 2 scoreless periods.  Jarry wasn't even suppose to start but came in in relief but gave up  2 goals on only 7 shots.  

Toffoli and Petry would hook up for a PPP goal, netting the Checkers 4 points on one goal and Marchand and Bergeron would connect for more points for the Checkers in the first night.  They would be up 4-0-2 to start the series.  

 The Raisins did well to climb back into this game in the second night.  Sidney Crosby had a great night, scoring 2 goals and then adding an assist, PPP and a hit.  DeBrincat also added 2 goals for the Raisins and Jarry, while allowing 3 goals, got the win to give the Raisins 2 goalie wins so far for the week.  Raisins suddenly had some hope, getting on the board, now down 4-2.

Sid was not a happy man...

The Checkers came out in the third night on fire getting a hat trick from T.J. Oshie and going 3-5-3-7 for the night!  The bright spot, if there was one, for the Raisins, was Blake Wheeler who managed to score 2 goals late to give the Raisins back the lead in goals.  Plus Checker goalie Binnington lost in a shoot out preventing the Checkers from tying Wins.  So still a little glimmer of hope for the Raisins.

Oshie had a hat trick on night 3

That glimmer would be extinguished in night 4 as the Checkers struck a pretty good blow, getting 8 assists to the Raisins 2 and 14 hits to their 4.  Ristolainen didn't disappoint getting 8 hits last night.  Raisins goalie Jarry did get the win, but gave up 4 goals in the process.   The Raisins would not recover.  The score never got off of 4-2 rest of week, and the Checkers would capture their 5th Cherry Cup!  

Ristolainen was a beast

Brad Marchand earned Cherry Cup MVP award with a goal, 5 assists, 2 PPP and 3 hits

Crosby did what he could for the California Raisins, scoring 4 goals, 2 assists, 2 PPP and 4 hits.  Pretty damn good week. 

Amazing the Checkers won easily with only 1 goalie win all week.  (guess goalies not as important as in real NHL...)

Congratulations to the Cherry's Checkers on their 5th Cherry Cup title.  Now if we can only get the Cup back from the Mayhem, I can get it engraved!

Let the celebrations begin....

Marchand and Bergeron celebrate another Checker Cherry Cup

Oshie lifts the Cherry Cup!

Kopitar and Doughty have been with Checkers
in previous Cup victories...

Marchand getting the party started!

Not sure if Marchand has enough booze yet...