Mar 26, 2017 | Scott Price | 848 views
Atom White Ice Dogs Finish as Finalists at Nelson Emerson Tournament
The Atom White Ice Dogs travelled to Waterford for the Nelson Emerson Tournament last weekend.
After a Friday evening of swimming, mini-sticks and socializing, the Ice Dogs hit the ice at 9:00 sharp for a tilt with the local Waterford team. The Ice Dogs were a little dozy from the night before and they found themselves trailing by 2 at the end of the first after some sloppy end zone play. Coach Bob rallied the boys and girls at the intermission and George P continued his torrid pace by lighting the lamp with a bullet (assisted by Gavin H and Ryan P.). The Ice Dogs continued to struggle to get shots on net but the ice was definitely tilted toward the Waterford end. Ryan P and George P would get off a couple of shots late in the game and Gavin H. would tuck one home to knot things at 2 as the third period came to a close. The game would go to shootout with Ice Dog tender Josh making some magnificent saves. The shoot out continued to the ninth shooter when Lucas W. would use those silky smooth mitts of his to slip one past the Waterford goalie and give the Ice Dogs a 3-2 win.
The 2nd game would be a battle of Arran-Elderslie as the White team would face their Ice Dog brethren, Atom Red. As usual, these two teams battled each other hard and there were tremendous chances at both ends as Noah and Josh shot the door on the Ice Dog shooters. George P would break the deadlock with another snipe (assisted by Tash B.) and Austin G. would give the White team a 2 goal lead (assisted by Lucas W.). After the Red Team climbed within a goal, Ryan P would carry the puck deep inside Red Team territory and get away a shot that rebounded out to George. George would go backhand, top cheddar and the Ice Dogs had a 3-1 lead. The game would end with the White team skating off to the championship game with a 3-1 win.
The Final would be a showdown with Simcoe, (home of Stanley Cup champion Rob Blake). This Simcoe Team had breezed through the earlier rounds and served notice they were ready. They quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead but the Ice Dogs fought back with Colby H. ripping one from the top of the circle to get the 'Dogs within 2 goals (assisted by Dylan P and Ryan P.) Simone would get another goal off a broken play but Austin G. would score (assisted by George P and Dylan P.) and the Ice Dogs were ready for another late game rally. With time ticking down and Josh S. on the bench it seemed like the Ice Dogs were going to do it but the clock ran out and they would have to settle for Tournament Finalists.
What a gutsy effort by a great bunch of kids. It is hard to believe the season has come to an end but it has left us all with memories of some great hockey and friendships that will last a lifetime.
See you all at the Awards Banquet on April 20th----Coach Price out!