Mar 24, 2013 | rswigger | 1704 views
The End of Another Season
So I guess I've been a little lazy lately. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was soaking up 32 degree temps along a pristine tropical coast, and my brain went into hibernation (though, according to my wife, I don't need a holiday for that). True, I have neglected my reporting duties...until now. One last article coming up.
In my absence--and maybe because of my absence--the boys came up with one of their most impressive victories of the year...a 5-1 schlacking of the Chatsworth (a.k.a. Alphabet soup). It came with a short bench, and some much needed offensive pressure. A true highlight of the year to be sure.
After that make-up game, the boys had one last game against Bruce Peninsula in Tara. Everyone in attendance--and there were a lot of people at this game--was hoping for a repeat of their prior performance as a positive cap to the year. And while it looked like this was possible, it really wasn't to be because of a second period let down. After the Preds scored first, Dylan evened the score a minute later, knotting the teams at 1 after 1. But in the second the Predators were able to pop two goals late, the second a devastating goal with less than a second on the clock. While we fought our way back with moments of enlightened play in the third on two goals by Gavin, Bruce Peninsula kept answering the bell, scoring three more of their own for the season-ending 6-3 Ice Dog loss.
On Saturday, the Ice Dogs last ice time was spent playing their parents, hereafter nicknamed the aging canines. While it did look like a close game for awhile when we began 5 on 5, the old dogs pulled away with an impressive series of tick-tack-toe goals that started to irritate the young dogs. Their strategy? A permanent power-play which seemed to involve more and more players all the time. And when that didn't work, well, they just dropped their mitts.
Waykin's dad had a highlight afternoon in goal, and after 36 consecutive misses, Kaiden's mom was able to edge one over the line for a TSN highlight of the night nod. But when Emmett's mom whistled the "next goals wins" signal, all heck broke loose as a swarm of white Ice Dog jerseys peppered the old dogs' net until, yes, they scored, and capped off their year with the victory.
On behalf of everyone involved with the Atom LL team this year, I would like to thank Todd for all his work as coach--it is a long season, and with a large team, you did a great job out there, largely by yourself. Thanks also to Brent and Rose for their help on the bench, and Chris for filling in when needed. Thanks to Alli for all her work behind the scenes contacting parents and helping with the organization of the club. Lastly, thanks to the parents who continued to encourage their kids during a long season that at times seemed much, much longer.
Todd has offered a barbecue in the upcoming weeks, and hopefully we will all unite at the senior banquet in Chesley on April 25.