It was Game 3 of the Atom LL Championship and the Tara Cyclone Taylor Arena was the host of another classic!
The Atom White Ice Dogs had just suffered their first defeat last Sunday as the Storm tied the series up 1-1 setting up the Sunday finale in T-Town. The ice was fresh, the stands were packed and you could cut the tension with a knife.
The game started with both teams skating hard and the Storm broke the ice with a goal by their super star sniper #18 Chris H. But these Ice Dogs are a resilient bunch and George P. knotted things up at 1-1 with a beautiful breakaway goal (5-hole) with the assist going to Austin G. The Ice Dogs kept knocking on the door of the Storm goal and forced the Storm to take a penalty late in the first. Colby H. would make an electrifying rush up the ice and pot the Ice Dogs 2nd goal on the power play. The Ice Dogs would have a 2-1 lead after the first.
The 2nd period started with more pressure from the Ice Dogs but they were forced to kill a penalty early. Having killed that one off, they applied more pressure and were beating the Storm to the loose pucks. The Storm were forced to take another penalty and Ryan P. would snap home a power play goal with assists going to Austin G. and Gavin H. That's when superstar goalie Josh S. would get the crowd on their feet with a 10 bell save as the Storm came close to getting a goal---diving across the crease with a glovely save. Soon after that, George P. would outrace (not one but two) Storm defenceman to the puck and rip home a lovely snipe after Colby H. made a great play to get the puck down the ice on the penalty kill. The Ice Dogs had a 4-1 lead after two periods.
The third period was some more back and forth action as the Storm pressed to get back in the game but the Ice Dogs were relentless with their checking. Tash B. and Dylan P. didn't hit the score sheet but their tenacious checking kept the Storm at bay. The line of Larkin G., Lucas W, and Daemyn E. kept the puck deep inside the Storm zone and came close to bending the twine a few times as they buzzed around the ice. George P. would get the game clincher with another lovely goal (assisted by Ryan P and Colby H.) The final buzzer would sound with the Ice Dogs icing a 5-1 win.
It was a championship game for the ages as every single Ice Dog played the game of their life. Coach Bob, Chad and Pricer were extremely proud of the effort of every single player. Special mention to AP players Lucas S. (with one of the most important goals of the year!) and Calista H. for filling in when needed and being real team players.
You are truly champions on and off the ice George, Ryan, Gavin, Larkin, Lucas, Daemyn, Tash, Colby, Austin, Dylan and Josh!
Congratulations Ice Dogs!!!