Jan 02, 2020 | Scott Price | 305 views
IceDogs Net First Win of 2020!
The sun was setting on another regular season and it definately had a playoff type feel in the Tara Cyclone Taylor Arena as the Atom Rep Icedogs hosted the Shallow Lake Lakers in their regular season finale on Thursday night.
The IceDogs had been playing some pretty good hockey to conclude the season, earning 11 out of 12 points to close out their last 6 games. A tough team defence and a consistent pressure game had the IceDogs looking to lock up 2nd place in their division if they could earn a win against the visiting Lakers.
The game started with the IceDogs having all kinds of jump and peppering the Laker netminder with quality chances. It took an Owen M. read at the blue line, picking off an errant pass and ripping home a goal to get things started. This Laker squad is tough and doesn't give an inch and kept the IceDogs to one and done on the shot clock as the first period came to a close and the IceDogs up 1-0.
The second period started with the IceDogs getting into penalty trouble early and they had to kill a 5 on 3 which definatley put them on their heels. Peyton L. stood tall against the Laker shooters and when they play was back to even, Ian M. made a dandy play to put the puck on net and Ethan banged home the rebound to give the IceDogs a 2-0 lead and some breathing room. With time winding down, the IceDogs were hemming the Lakers in their own end but couldn't get that elusive insurance goal(s).
The third period was more of the same as the IceDogs kept up their solid play as Coach Price tried to find some offence to go with a solid team defence. Several quality chances went unrewarded but this team continues to work hard and generate chances. The final score would end up 2-0 but once again, the IceDogs carried the play and just couldn't find the back of the net to break the game open.
I couldn't be more proud of this group and how they battle for each other and for the 2 points in the standings and not the points on the gamesheet. A pretty good regular season IceDogs...now, let's go get 'em in the playoffs!