Feb 23, 2015 | maiken | 646 views
IceDogs Survived The Drive
Travelling to the south, the IceDogs met the Milverton Drive on their home ice and it was a big ice! Dogs love to run and so they did! With some great teamwork and determination, Dogs record a 4 to 3 win.
Some of the players' chauffeurs for this contest were concerned that a long drive would cramp the IceDogs style, but they had nothing to worry about! From the first faceoff, the Dogs were looking fast. Both teams were trying to get a measure of the other. Braydon stole the puck off their sticks. Chase and Brett attempted some pass play and Will was working the boards, using his toes and his stick. At 6:32, Mitch took his charge down the ice, but the Milverton goalie was firm. Clayton stormed down through their ranks also, but their goalie was not going to that score change from 0-0. Our defensive lines were breaking up Drive rushes early and moving the puck up and out of our zone. IceDogs were doing such a great job, that Tyson didn't get a turn to make another of his excellent saves until 4:57! Brett had a great "almost" at 2:14 with a hard shot. Despite all the pressure, there were no goals (or penalties) the whole period.
The next period started with Chase driving the puck into their zone, then Will got a shot away at 13:58 which their goalie stopped, but didn't freeze and then Chase popped it over his glove hand. One for us. Didn't last long. The Drive took total advantage of the Dogs' inability to clear the puck in our end and it was all tied up. The first penalty of this game went to the Drive and we had a powerplay. Brad took a run, but couldn't get it away. Then Clayton went coast to coast and with a backhand, we were ahead 2 to 1. Milverton wanted to tie it up right away. Will had a fine battle and took the stick right out of their defence's hands then got the puck to Brett, then to Chase and the Dogs were up by two! The Dogs were hunting now. Mitch made it 4 to 1, from a great pass from Clayton, and while flying in the air. The Drive aren't quitters though. A "how's it goin'?" and it was 4 to 2. Both teams were working hard. Corson had to take a moment to remind an opponent that sticks aren't for hooking. Spencer had to move a couple of Drive players off our line. Despite our best efforts, the next goal was theirs. 4 to 3. In the last couple of minutes, Braydon tried to set up Chase, but no luck and the period ended with Corson working the puck into their end with his stick and his feet. A good period!
The third period was all about keep the Dogs ahead of the Drive. Tyson made some beauty saves, one after another. Clayton had a great rush. Dan had a run. Chase was chasing the puck all over. Corson took the puck right to the goalie's front door. But still, there was no change on the board. At 5;02 remaining, Dogs get their first penalty and Milverton's first powerplay. Tyson was tremendous! Dogs did a fantastic job of icing the puck. At 3:34, Milverton got a penalty and the run was on. Clayton tried again. Drive was do or die and their goalie came out of the net. The push was on! However, Tyson shut the door on the Drive. A good skating win for the IceDogs (....or Alphabet soup, as they call us in their neck of the woods! Something about all those letters. Just call us Aron.) Final 4 to 3.