Dogs Strike First and Vipers Last, News, Peewee Rep, U13, 2014-2015 (Arran-Elderslie Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2014-2015 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Mar 07, 2015 | maiken | 1535 views
Dogs Strike First and Vipers Last
 A late game in Arthur against the Vipers started strong, and both teams were tied going into the third.  But that final period was a busy one for both teams and the Vipers pulled ahead for a final of 6 to 4.  What a season we have had!

The IceDogs were going into this game short a skater, due to an injury suffered by Will off the ice, but were up for the challenge.  Mitch, Spencer and Braydon started this period with a rush to their goalie, but Braydon was knocked down during this play and ended up with a penalty too.  Despite a shorthanded line, Brett got the puck over to Corson during a scramble, and it was 1 to 0.  For the entire period, that was the score.  Dogs had a some great chances:  Spencer, Corson & Mitch, Brett, Clayton, Braydon and Bradley have "almosts".  Tyson didn't have to make a stop until 6:38, but after that mark on the clock, the Vipers got moving.  Dogs would get their second penalty in the final minute and the Vipers their first powerplay and they put their hearts into that.  Tyson made some awesome saves, including a nice basket catch.  And there was much rejoicing!

The second started with the Vipers still on a powerplay, but some nice shipping the puck down to their end killed that Viper dream.  Then the Dogs get an unheard-of third penalty against poor Braydon again!  Chase almost scores during this shorthanded time and Clayton almost did too, while battling three Vipers.  Dogs killed the penalty again, but the score was still 1 to 0.  The Doggies were working hard.  Clayton was working both sides of the ice, Spencer was crushing the puck, Dan was taking the puck right off their blades and Brett was booging up the boards.  Corson had another run.  But still.....no goal.  Unfortunately, the next point would go on the Viper side of the scoreboard, even though Tyson made the first stop.  The IceDogs return to the other end of ice and crash the goalie's net.  Vipers return the favour and Tyson is pushing snakes out of his net while still making the saves (Snakes in a net!).  In the final couple of minutes, Chase was hooked and  the perpetrator was shown to the box of shame.  The IceDogs made good use of their powerplay and Brett, Brad, Corson all took shots, but it would be with .39 on the clock that Chase and Clayton make it 2 to 1.  The fans rejoice.  However, the Vipers counter with a rush that puts Mitch in our net with their forward and Tyson is less than impressed with this intrusion.  It may have ruffled his feathers a bit and the Vipers shot from the faceoff.  Tyson got the first shot but the Viper forward got the rebound at .14.  And it was tied 2 to 2.

The IceDogs have given its fans great third period action all year.  This was a back and forth contest.  Arthur picked up a rebound off Tyson and moved ahead on the board.  The Dogs were working hard. Brad, Mitch and Chase all had chances but we could not catch a break.  The Vipers received a penalty for aggressively hugging Braydon and Clayton fired a great one at their goalie during our powerplay and Chase had sent a cannon shot but the Viper goalie denied them both.  The Vipers, even shorthanded, are a team to pay attention to.  They made ti 2 to 4.  At 3:10, Mitch, from a great set up from Spencer, went on a tear and made it 3 to 4.  The IceDogs wanted to get the next goal, and it looked like Brett and Brad would do so, with a scramble.  However, Arthur worked the puck back to our end and Tyson made the first stop but couldn't control that puck and it was 3 to 5 at 1:54. 

It is during these moments when the IceDogs rise to the challenge.  Spencer was battling for puck control on his knees.  Dogs got down to the Viper end of the ice and Dogs try to pull our goalie, but we almost get caught.  Dan received the end of the stick to his breakbasket and Dogs have one last precious powerplay.  Tyson is pulled and the action is in the Viper end.  But they get the puck cleared and it end up in our net!  3 to 6 with less than a minute on the clock.  Digging deep, the Dogs rally and Brett, Mitch and Chase work the puck past their goalie to make it 4 to 6.  Dogs attempt to return again, after next faceoff, but the Vipers push the puck into our end, manage to spear our goalie in the final scramble, but did not score.  Working right to the final buzzer, the Dogs do their fans proud, with their heart and determination, but the win would go to the Vipers. 

As this was our last scheduled game, I would like to praise our team and their coaches.  It has been a great year and this team has never let their fans down by being anything less than a team with loads of heart, stubborn determination and who revel in playing a good, clean, fast game of Canada's sport.  Our Coach and his Assistant and Trainer have been great leaders and role models to our players and their integrity has been noted and appreciated.  I personally have enjoyed cheering and loudly yelling things that often make no sense and all the parents are a great bunch of rubes (no, I didn't type that wrong.  It is a real word).  Although we do have our tourney later this month, we will be without our goalie, who has kept us in the game many, many times this year.  Thank you, Arran Elderslie PeeWee Rep IceDogs!  We have enjoyed every single moment!