When a Loss Feels Like a Win, News, Atom LL, U11, 2012-2013 (Arran-Elderslie Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2012-2013 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Dec 10, 2012 | rswigger | 579 views
When a Loss Feels Like a Win
Just when you think you're in for a long night at the Paisley barn...the Ice Dogs come up with what was likely their best effort of the season so far against what is arguably the best team in the league--Shallow Lake team 1.  The only thing between a tie and loss tonight was home ice advantage...the extra 5 minutes we play was just five too many.

Those in attendance knew this night would be different...no goal in the first minute, no long shifts hemmed in our own end, and solid goal-tending from Bradley, start to finish.  In fact, at the end of the first, Shallow Lake was only up 1-0 and had to be asking themselves, 'what happened to the team we beat 7-0?'   Answer:  say hello to the new and improving Ice Dogs.

In the second the Dogs began to play with more confidence, not only shutting down the Laker attacks, but getting a few chances of their own.  At the 3 minute mark, the improved breakout clicked, and Rocco's work on the boards, and Baden's chip up to Dylan, ended with a beauty to knot the score.  Set back, Shallow Lake dug down and regained the lead a minute later.  But, un-phased, the Ice Dogs would net their another before the end of the period on Dylan's second, assisted by Baden and Kendrew.  And now the seed of doubt was planted...the Lakers' bench at the end of two looked just a little more shaken, and surely their faces said it all:  'these guys are for real'.

Early in the third, the miracle on ice looked possible.  Baden scored at the 13 minute mark for the lead, unassisted, but two minutes later, the Lakers bounced back with a goal that surely took a step out of our game.  Their next one came at the 5 minute mark...what would have been the buzzer at any other rink.  And while two more late-game goals followed for the Lakers, the mood for the Dogs was surely upbeat.  Now they know for sure, they can, in fact, play with the best of them!

Congrats to Bradley on earning the game puck, and to the whole defensive core for a solid turn-out against a very potent team.  Unfortunately, the next league game for the boys is not for a month, but as coach Todd works on some holiday-season exhibition games, the parents look forward to another gutsy performance from the boys as an early Christmas present.