Feb 04, 2024 | Rori Urbshott | 334 views
Win, lose, or draw
The U13 Rep Icedogs had a busy week, hitting the ice 3 times last week with 2 games and a practice. Still riding the high from their very successful Silver Stick Weeknd, up first they would meet Saugeen Shores Storm.
Dawning their red jerseys Icedogs hit the ice eager for action. Puck would drop and they were off. First period would see end to end action, numerous shots on net and only one penalty, we would end first with 0's on both sides.
Second period, much like the first with end to end, lots of passing, working as a team. Goalies were both on fire saving everything shot at them and as the clock counted down the scoreboard still showed a scoreless game. At this time we would have gladly welcomed the 15 minute break that usually comes between 2nd and 3rd, but there was no flood, just a quick chat with coaches at the bench, but the 3rd is where the Icedogs thrive.. just over 3 minutes after puck drop in the 3rd, Landon S receives a neutral zone pass from Hunter T and rips a snapshot from just outside the blue line finding the back of the net to put your Icedogs up 1-0. With the energy levels high and only 51 seconds later Connor H handles a nice feed from Calhon U down low and Connor finds the mesh in behind Saugeen Shores tender with a beautiful back hand. Thinking we may get out of this game with a shutout, with only 4:19 left in the third, Saugeen would get on the board. Icedogs would find themselves in a little penalty trouble and the Shores took advantage of having the extra man, scoring their second to tie the game with 2:55 on the clock. Icedogs pulled their goalie with 38 seconds left, fans in the stands confused as to why with a score of 2-2, but turns out coach Brent has decided to " practice 6 on 5" just incase our U13s land up in this competitive tier 1 division for playoffs. Buzzer goes and the game ends in a tie. Still felt like a win tho!
Up Next Icedogs travel east to battle with our cross town rivals Shallow Lake Lakers.
The Lakers are a big team, they have some big kids but there is also a lot of them. This game didn't start off the way we had hoped and Icedogs fell flat in the first also in the penalty box which helped the Lakers score on the power play, and then adding 2 more and just like that Icedogs were trailing by 3 after the first.
Second period. After a quick chat at the bench coaches wanted the 2nd period to be much different. This period didn't start out exactly the way we wanted as once again this cross town rival competitiveness found your Icedogs once again in some penalty trouble (oh those home town refs...), but now for the exciting part Landry W picks up the puck in his own end and is definitely thinking "How do I repeat my regional Sliver stick game winner", Landry goes end to end holding the puck all the way after fighting off 3 lakers then puts the puck past Lakers goalie very similar to his regional OT winner, short handed and unassisted.
Then it would seem like we were watching a goalie clinic with more end to end action for most of the remainder of the 2nd but Icedog coaches pulled little Jack T with just 27 seconds left and on offensive face-off, even with 6 on 5 Icedogs were unable to net one.
Time for a much needed break with the flood after the 2nd. With fresh legs and coaches pep talk Icedogs hit the ice for the third, not wasting any time Connor H using that beautiful back hand and saucers one by Laker goalie assisted by Jackson M getting the Icedogs back within 1. The remainder of the 3rd would be quiet, aside from another penalty, I guess the refs only see red on the ice. The coaches tried one more time to get an extra man on the ice and pulled Jack with over a minute remaining, but Icedogs were shut down at every shot. Game would end 3-2 for Lakers.
Next action for Icedogs is February 9, at 7:15pm in the Tara Barn.