Mar 04, 2013 | maiken | 1887 views
The End of the Trail! What A Great Ride It Has Been!
The final scheduled game for the IceDogs was against Kincardine. All season, our team has played good, fast, clean hockey and this game was no different. Despite a valiant Doggie effort, Kincardine squeaked by us: 4 to 3. Dogs ended the season with a bang, not a whimper!
You know you can expect a great game when both teams show up with an heir and a spare in the goalie department. Ashlynn was on the bench , ready to support Tyson, if need be. Dogs knew that this game they had to come out howling. Kincardine was on the board first but less than a minute later, the IceDogs joined them, with a Jason(#88) solo. All even at the end of the first.
Kincardine was not sitting back and letting us control this game. They immediately started a barrage of shots but Tyson shut the door. Jason (#88) grabbed the puck for his second solo tour and our second. The whole IceDog team worked their skates off this period. Braydon saved us from Kincardine catching up with some fine moves to cover our goalie. But despite everything, Kincardine get their second at 6:07. The intensity of the game kicked up a notch and it was a series of stolen pucks and moments. Mitch got a questionable penalty that there is photographic evidence of no head contact with one of the parents. During that penalty, Tyson made heartstopping save after heartstopping save. Lawson tried to create some breathing room with an attempt that had him on his stomach making the shot! Chayse made a breadbasket save for our team! Then, with some good teamwork between Austin (#16) and Braydon (#25), they got the puck to Will (#13) who fired it in for our third goal with only 49 seconds left in the second.
Dogs entered the last period with a lead of one goal. They were looking to extend that cushion. Braydon gave a great attempt at 13:50. Mitch was alone on the ice, but kept control of that puck and gave it a good go, but no goal. Kincardine then tied us, with a sneaky goal. The rest of the period was some of our best hockey. Austin went in for a try, but was denied. Clayton got to feel someone's stick on his neck while he was down. Mitch tried again at 4:51. The Dogs were lifting sticks, pushing through, and trying their passes. However, it would be Kincardine who would record the next point. Then there was another quick shot from Kincardine but Tyson immediately sprang into action and picked the shot out of the air; keeping the Doggies in the hunt. The Dogs battled right to the last second. But despite some great chances, it was not to be. Final: 4 for them and 3 for us.
Despite this disappointment, it should be stated what a great team, the Atom Reps, were this year!! There were some up and down moments, but not near as many there were really wonderful ones! For a team with an bigger roster than usual, a combination of first and second year players and a young coaching staff to this age of player, there were some that didn't think we would have the legs to do much this year. And boy, were they all wrong!! This was a team that could truly play from their hearts. We had one of the best season records of any Doggie team this year, (with only the Atom Girls consistently better) and one of the loudest and proudest cheering sections of them all! Thank you, Atom Rep Doggies! And Thank you Coach Steve, Manager Devon and Trainer Tim. It was a great chase!
Now, for the fun of tournament season!