Bout Time defeats Clockwork Orange, wins Summer 2022 WDHL title

[ Bout Time, 2, Clockwork Orange 0 ]

Bout Time defeated Clockwork Orange 2-0 Monday night in the WDHL playoffs to claim the league summer championship. Bout TIme’s Paul Birnesser intercepted a pass on the end line at 13:51 in the first period to score the game-winning goal against Clockwork.

Matt Pontiff, defenseman for Bout Time, added a second goal at 11:11 in the second period with a shot from the right point that deflected twice before hitting the back of the net. Neither team added another goal.

Clockwork killed a trio of penalties in the second period including a minute of 5-on-3 at the 7:07 mark. They had a pair of power plays in the third, including a tripping call at 1:51 against Bout TIme’s Eddy Cruz that offered a short 6-on-4 when Clockwork goalie Doug Bell was pulled, but were unable to score against Bout Time goalie Mike Potts-Morgan.

The first WDHL championship t-shirt was presented to Bout Time after the win. A league source said t-shirts likely will be presented to the winter champion along with the traditional addition of a name plate to the John Ling Championship trophy beginning in the 2022-23 season.

A summer WDHL champions cup is being considered, the source added.

Bout Time took a No. 4 seed into the tournament and went undefeated in four playoff games. Clockwork ran the table during the regular season going 10-0 and earning the top playoff position. But, a first round 3-2 loss to Bout Time sent them to the consolation bracket. Clockwork won their next three straight before Monday’s game.