Jan 05, 2020 | Scott Price | 316 views
Hornets Sting the IceDogs
The Atom Rep IceDogs were off to Howick to polish up for the playoff push as they faced a very good Howick Hornet team in exhibition play.
The IceDogs were playing some of their best hockey of the season heading into this one and were looking to keep up the good habits they have developed throughout the grind of the regular season.
Despite a strong first shift, Howick caught a break on a turnover at the blue line and a 2 on 1 the other way had the Hornets up 1-0. Howick was hungry on the puck and checking the IceDogs at every turn and that led to another turnover and goal and the IceDogs were on their heels and down 2-0. A Howick penalty put the 'Dogs on the power play and Jesse P. won a draw (something he has done all year) and fed Brayden P. for a one-timer and the 'Dogs were on the board. Another strong Howick forecheck caused yet another turnover and a strong push to the net deflected off Peyton and in and Howick was full-marks for their 3-1 lead at the first recess.
Coach P. pleaded with his team to get hungry and strong on their sticks and they responded when Owen M. stripped a Howick defender at the blue line (on another power play) and ripped home a shot to get the IceDogs within one. Howick isn't undefeated this year for nothing and they are clearly a hard-checking team. Their aggressive play led to another turnover which ended up in the IceDog net and the IceDogs would have to battle back, down 4-2.
The calling card of this IceDog team is their work ethic. When they work, they get good results. And they went to work in the third. Finally finding their legs and their speed game, the 'Dogs were all afire now and carried the bulk of the play. Brayden P. would make a great second effort to get the puck to Jesse, who sped into the Howick zone. Karden C. would collect the drop pass and fire a bullet on net and Jesse smashed home the rebound to get the IceDogs within a goal. A late push had the the IceDogs putting everything on net and Brayden P. was sure the puck crossed the line on a scramble but Howick would ultimately prevail 4-3.
The scoreboard didn't reflect it but the IceDogs were probably the better team, especially in the third but they just couldn't overcome a bad start to the game. A lesson they will have to learn as they head into their OMHA and WOAA playoff series in the coming weeks.
The Atom Reps wish to congratulate Team Canada and Owen Sound Attack captain Aidan Dudas on a tremendous championship game on this Sunday. Also, our backup goalie Aiden S. backstopped his Atom team to a championship win in their tournament this weekend. Congrats Teams!
A little bit of time off while we wait for our first playoff opponent...rest up and get ready IceDogs...its going to be a fun, hard-working next couple of weeks!