Dec 24, 2017 | sbarber | 176 views
Great Team Effort
Twas the Saturday before Christmas and all through Tara, Paisley and Chesley, not a creature was stirring - They were all at the rink to see the Novice IceDogs take on the Falcons from Hanover!
There was excitement in the air for this one. It was the first of four meetings these 2 teams will have this year. And as the last game before the Christmas break the boys were ready to go and give it there best!
From the first drop of the puck both teams were ready to go. The IceDogs had a little more jump in their game and put the Falcons on their heels. Goalie Peyton L. was on his game coming up big flashing the leather whenever the Falcons were able to bypass the forechecking pressure of the IceDogs and get a shot to the net.
The IceDogs opened the scoring with a nifty little passing play starting with Karden C. firing a pass cross ice to an open Owen M. who fired it off the seat of the pants of Gryphon B. who then buried it to go 1 up on the visitors. The Falcons came right back the next shift and buried one themselves to tie the game. Then with 2 minutes to go in the first Ethan S. broke loose and fired one short side for the boys to end the period up by 1.
The pressure didn't end there. Each shift for the remainder of the game the IceDogs raised their level of play higher than the last. The Hanover goalie decided to not let in another even though he was peppered by shots in close - there was a flurry in the second where the line of Ethan S. Anthony K. and Ian M. each had a shot on net as well as the stalwart defenseman Carter G.
Speaking of the defense, they all did a great job of holding the line in the offensive zone - keeping the puck in and as well protecting their net. Alek F. and Hudson J. led some exciting charges up the ice and Braden N. did a great job in his end. Carter G. found a little grrrrr in his game and gave the Falcons something to think about when they headed up this ice on his side.
The forwards made some great plays and in the third Karden C. stood out blocking not one but 2 blasts from the point. Gryphon B. played again with his heart on his sleeve - digging for pucks, driving the net and running into anyone wearing a red jersey. Owen M. found himself some open ice and kept driving to the net and getting shots through. Ian M. and Ethan S. both had renewed jump in their game feeding off each other and driving to the net. As well Anthony K. (looking a little green) played great backing up his linemates and helping out the defense.
Goalie Peyton L. stood on his head and made some spectacular saves at the right times.
In the end it wasn't enough to pull out a win but the boys are still in a tie for third place in the standings going into the Christmas break. It was a great effort and one we can build on.
The coaching staff and the Novice IceDog Rep player would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and much success in the New Year!