Naples Labeda Kaos Outlast Colorado Springs Thunder, Advance to PIHA Pro West Division Final

📅 Date: March 7-8, 2025
📍 Venue: Pepsi Roller Sports Arena
🔢 Final Score (Game 1): Naples Labeda Kaos 5, Colorado Springs Thunder 1
🔢 Final Score (Game 2, OT): Colorado Springs Thunder 3, Naples Labeda Kaos 2
🔢 Final Score (Game 3): Naples Labeda Kaos 9, Colorado Springs Thunder 5

Series Recap

The Naples Labeda Kaos booked their ticket to the PIHA Pro West Division Final after a dominant Game 3 victory, defeating the Colorado Springs Thunder9-5 in the series decider.

After taking Game 1 in commanding fashion, the Kaos stumbled in Game 2, falling in overtime as the Thunder fought to keep their season alive. However, Naples responded in Game 3, erupting for nine goals to punch their ticket to the Western Conference Final against the Arizona Konixx Outcasts.

Game 1 Highlights (Naples 5, Colorado Springs 1)

1st Period:

✅ 08:27 – Naples Goal (1-0):Payton Baldillez opened the scoring with an even-strength goal, assisted by Patrick Pugliese and Trevor Mullaly.
✅ 04:21 – Naples Goal (2-0):Tyler Kraft extended the lead off a setup from Nick Cafone.
✅ 03:58 – Naples Goal (3-0):Vinny Cafone added another, assisted by Baldillez and Kraft.

🔥 Kaos Defense Dominates: The Thunder were held without a single shot on goal in the first period.

2nd Period:

✅ 05:50 – Colorado Springs Goal (3-1):Trevor Mullaly got the Thunder on the board.
✅ 06:14 – Naples Goal (4-1):Kraft responded with his second goal of the game.
✅ 00:32 – Naples Goal (5-1, EN):Nick Cafone sealed the game with an empty-netter.

🛑 Goaltending Performance:
🏆 Patrick Pugliese (Naples) – 20 saves on 21 shots
💪 Avery McDonnell & Keith Seiberlich (Colorado Springs) – 11 saves on 16 shots

📌 Final Shots on Goal: Naples 16 – Colorado Springs 21

Game 2 Highlights (Colorado Springs 3, Naples 2, OT)

1st Period:

✅ 07:45 – Naples Goal (1-0):John Schiavo struck first for the Kaos.
✅ 05:09 – Colorado Springs Goal (1-1):Parker Harrison responded with an equalizer.

🔥 More Balanced Start: The Thunder, unlike Game 1, matched the Kaos in offensive pressure.

2nd Period:

✅ 07:40 – Naples Goal (2-1, PP):Schiavo struck again, this time on the power play.
✅ 01:13 – Colorado Springs Goal (2-2, PP):Cody Ayers tied it on a power play of his own.

Overtime:

✅ 08:20 – Colorado Springs Goal (3-2, GWG):Ayers played hero again, scoring the overtime winner to force a Game 3.

🚨 Momentum Shift: The Thunder found a way to survive elimination, despite being outshot 13-6 in the third period and OT.

📌 Final Shots on Goal: Naples 20 – Colorado Springs 21

Game 3 Highlights (Naples 9, Colorado Springs 5)

1st Period:

✅ 10:42 – Naples Goal (1-0):Schiavo wasted no time setting the tone.
✅ 10:12 – Naples Goal (2-0):Trevor Mullaly doubled the lead.
✅ 08:24 – Colorado Springs Goal (2-1):Cody Ayers got the Thunder on the board.
✅ 05:24 – Naples Goal (3-1):Schiavo responded with his second of the night.
✅ 04:31 – Colorado Springs Goal (3-2):Mullaly cut the lead back down to one.
✅ 04:12 – Naples Goal (4-2):Kraft struck again for the Kaos.
✅ 01:48 – Naples Goal (5-2):Vinny Cafone extended the lead before the period ended.

🔥 Naples Starts Fast: The Kaos outscored Colorado Springs 5-2 in the opening period, setting the tone early.

2nd Period:

✅ 09:37 – Colorado Springs Goal (5-3, PP):CJ Yoder scored on the power play, giving the Thunder some life.
✅ 07:54 – Colorado Springs Goal (5-4):Ayers struck again, bringing the Thunder within one.
✅ 07:27 – Colorado Springs Goal (5-5):Yoder tied the game, stunning the Kaos.
✅ 06:22 – Naples Goal (6-5):Schiavo answered back, completing his hat trick.
✅ 04:20 – Naples Goal (7-5):Kraft added another insurance goal.
✅ 03:29 – Naples Goal (8-5):Kraft completed his hat trick, putting the game out of reach.

🔥 Explosive Second Period:Nine combined goals turned the period into a high-scoring frenzy before Naples took control.

Final Minutes:

✅ Empty-Net Goal (9-5):Kraft capped off his dominant performance, sending the Kaos to the West Division Final.

🛑 Goaltending Performance:
🏆 Anthony Butrico (Naples) – 18 saves on 27 shots
💪 Avery McDonnell (Colorado Springs) – 15 saves on 20 shots

📌 Final Shots on Goal: Naples 27 – Colorado Springs 20

Series Takeaways:

🔥 Kaos Offense is Elite:Naples scored 16 goals in 3 games, led by Tyler Kraft (5 goals, 3 assists) and John Schiavo (4 goals, 4 assists).
💪 Thunder’s Effort Falls Short: Colorado Springs forced OT in Game 2, but couldn’t sustain momentum in Game 3.
🔄 Kaos’ Power Play Delivers: Naples capitalized on key power-play chances, including a game-winner in Game 3.

🏆 What’s Next?

With the series win, the Naples Labeda Kaos advance to the PIHA Pro West Division Final, where they will face the Arizona Konixx Outcasts in a battle for a spot in the PIHA Finals.

📅 Next Game:March 10, 2025 – PIHA Pro West Division Final

Can the Kaos carry their momentum into the finals, or will the Outcasts spoil their championship hopes? Stay tuned! 🔥🏒