Dec 31, 2023 | Rori Urbshott | 621 views
We look good in Green!!
Christmas is about making memories with your family and friends, the memories that you will hang on to for the rest of your lives. They will become the stories they will tell their children and eventually grandchildren. It's a magical time and when you add a Regional Silverstick to the old memory bank for 2nd time ( for a few players it is their 3rd or their 1st) its an experience that won't be forgotten..
To begin pool play your Icedogs would hit the ice to face Saugeen Valley Steelheads, South Grey Spartans, and the Blyth Brussels Crussaders and after these 3 games your Icedogs sat in top spot 3-0 wrapping up pool play.
Up next was the quarter-final against the Orillia Terriers, Jack T was MIA on his way to Cuba so AP Declan H came in to steal the show, and that he did. With a strong team in front and Declan between the pipes the Terriers only managed to get 2 by, but with a decent lead your Icedogs skated away with another win, 6-2 being the final, off to the Saturday morning Semi final.
At the Tiverton Arena at 10am Kincardine Kinucks would be the opponent. Having met them in regular season, we knew this would be a tough game. They were hungry for the win just like the Icedogs, it was a close game with all hands on deck, defence was tight and no one was willing to make a mistake. We had end to end action for most of the game with posts and crossbars at both end, as I have mentioned before this crew doesn't quit and this was the only way to grab the "W" by out working the Kinucks down low and that they did. Icedogs win 2-1 earring their spot in the Finals.
Off to the Davidson Centre, Kids were vibrating eager to hit the ice, Drayton Defenders would be tough and gritty, but Icedogs would meet them at centre ice with no fear. Through out the first period there was no scoring, it was the game of "don't get scored on" and they played the same game for the second period. Going into the third with 0s on both sides Coaches gave the kids the old Brent W Work boot talk, where hard work isn't pretty, but pays the bills. Icedogs came out looking strong and rested for last 15 minutes. Icedogs would find themselves in a little trouble being short handed and Drayton would use that to their advantage, it was a "clapper" off to Declan's right hand side that he didn't see coming and it found the top of the net giving to Defenders a 1-0 lead. 5:40 remaining on the clock (that's lots of time,, right??) fans would watch the clock count down, Icedogs working their tails off, Landon S decided to take matters in his own hands and leave the defensive zone with the puck, as he crosses through the neutral zone he feeds Paysen H with a superior saucer like pass and Paysen goes forehand to backhand sliding it by Defenders tender with a "Bobby Orr" dive style like finish to tie things up at 1 a piece, crowd is on their feet, and just like that we are back in the game. 1:41 left in the 3rd back to game of protect the house, Buzzer would go and we are off to OT. This would be 4 on 4 sudden death with 5 on the clock, are you ready everyone?
This OT was played safely, as this would be the first time this crew has seen 4 on 4 sudden death scenario, but wait it gets better. Drayton tried to repeat their first goal by coming down off Declan's right and winding up releasing the Clapper but this time as the old saying goes "a goalies best friend, Mister Crossbar" came to Declan's rescue. The clock would run out and we would head into 2nd OT, this time would see a new format once again, 3 on 3 sudden death with 2 mins on the clock.
About 39 secs in coaches talk became very evident as kids were told Get to the point to block the shot and try to generate a shin pad rebound break away, and that is just what Landry W did, putting everything he had left in the tank heading down the ice fans we have a break away. Landry W puts that tall frame to work with a forehand to back hand and then back to forehand at the side of the net sliding home the game winner.
Huge shout out to Declan H for filling in between the pipes for our last 3 games. throughout this entire tournament there was a lot of hockey played with 14 teams in the U13 C division, it was noticed by your Icedogs that each team would have 1 or 2 players that would lead but our Icedog family has 13 players that all contribute in each and every game they play no matter the date, time, or place.
We are heading to the International SilverStick in Forest on Jan 19-21, 2024.