Oct 24, 2013 | rswigger | 389 views
Ice Dogs rebound against Lakers
It was only four days after the last match-up, but the result was much different. Determined not to get pushed around, the Ice Dogs stood up to the Lakers and gave them all they could handle for two periods of much improved hockey.
The first period Wednesday night in Paisley looked a little like a continuation of Saturday's upset in Shallow Lake except that the Dogs came out with more grit. To a player there was better aggressiveness in the corners, in front of the net, and on face offs. Even though the score was 3-0 after the first, it was clear that there was an Ice Dog momentum building.
In the second the running around in our end seemed to be replaced with players more willing to stand up to the Laker cycle, and apart from one Laker goal, the game was a little more evened out positionally. As big as the growing confidence of our players was the play of Tyson in net. Easily denying 15 good chances in the second, the Ice Dogs began to build off his stellar performance and shifted from a defensive shell to a few good offensive chances. In fact, a few times it became clear there was a chink in the Shallow Lake armour defensively as the Dogs broke through for a few several shots in net, something that just didn't happen Saturday.
But if the second was encouraging, the third was downright exciting. The Ice Dogs proved they were capable of a wide-open exchange of chances once Clayton broke the Laker shut-out at 7:21 in the third. Like Saturday, he showed how again how good things can happen when you throw the puck on net. And less than three minutes later, he did it again--and the score was suddenly 4-2. Both of Clayt's goals were assisted by Brett who played a large role in opening up the Ice Dog offence with some dogged efforts up ice and especially in front of the Laker net.
Unfortunately a tired crew were unable to clear a lost draw in our end at the 6 minute mark of the third allowing the Lakers to add a 5th marker. But playing with tenacity to the end, Braydon was able to pop a rebound from Will and Dylan with three and a half to go. And while 5-3 would end up being the final score, the break out third-period performance made the close loss feel a lot more like a win.
Honourable mentions go out to Annie for some solid play in front of our net, and to Danny who, with Clayton, led by example in terms of aggressive play. Here's hoping the Dogs can carry this confidence and momentum forward as they come face to face with the first-place Minto MadDogs on Saturday for AE's Hockey Day. If our players can carry over their third-period play from Wednesday, it is sure to be a memorable 'dog eat dog' affair.