Yesterday the Novice Rep IceDogs headed down to Mount Forest for Game 2 of the best of 3 Consolation Final...
It was a late start - half the players fell asleep during the hour long trek down. And after a hard day at school it sure was going to be interesting to see how this game played out. Win and the championship is theirs. Lose and it would be back to Tara for the deciding game on Saturday.
You could feel the tension in the air for the start of this one. It was electrifying...
Even after the puck drop the tension didn't go away. The Mount Forest Rams were ready to go. Their plan was to not lose this championship on their ice. They came at the IceDogs with force - getting the puck in deep and firing shots at goalie Peyton L. It was halfway through the first period before the IceDogs even recorded their first shot on net. IceDog goalie Peyton L. kept the IceDogs in the game as he stood on his head for the first period and the boys were lucky to get out of the period tied at 0.
The Rams kept forcing the issue at the beginning of the second and were rewarded halfway through the period scoring 2 goals 18 seconds apart. The atmosphere in the crowd started to change as people seemed to be thinking about how their weekend plans may include a game 3 Saturday.
These boys don't quit. They don't give up. Ever.
With 2 minutes to go in the second, Ethan S. takes a pass from Hudson J. and waltzes down the wall and fires one low past the Rams goalie to get the boys on the board. A minute later after a pretty passing play started by Anthony K. to Ian M., Ethan S. finds himself all alone in front and buries his second of the game. Now the crowd is buzzing. The boys on the bench are excited. Their legs seem to get a little lighter and their pace of play gets a little quicker.
45 seconds to go in the second, stalwart defenceman Alek F. takes a ass from Braden N. in his own end, goes wide, drives to the net and fires one low far side to complete the comeback! Was a thing of beauty.
The third period was back and forth. The Rams, with their season on the line tried to keep the pressure on the Novice Rep IceDogs, only to be pressured by Karden C., Owen M. and Gryphon B. Their tenacious work ethic kept the Rams from mounting any type of attack. 4 minutes left in the game, Owen M. takes a pass from Ethan S. and fires one top shelf to put the boys up by 2.
But wait. It's not over yet...
2 minutes to go, the Rams pull their goalie for the extra attacker. The extra man seemed to put a little more pressure on the Novice Rep IceDogs. However with the strong play of Carter G. and Hudson J. battling in the corners, the IceDogs were still able to move the puck and get a couple of shots at the open net wasting valuable time in the Rams end. 13 seconds left in the game the Rams pushed one over the line. Time out was called to come up with a play, however Ethan S. won the draw back to Alek F. and the game was over.
As the buzzer sounded the IceDogs cheered and the celebration was on! After the trophy was presented and the traditional team photo was taken, the celebration continued into the night in the dressing room. No one wanted to leave.
This team has come a long way from the first tryout way back in September. There have been struggles, successes and a huge learning curve and a ton of hard work. But as with every championship team, this team bought into our plan from the beginning and never gave up. After a 4-3 overtime loss to West Grey back on March 1, the Rep IceDogs went on a run of 5 straight wins to end the year. These kids have proven themselves as champions and now have the understanding on what it takes to win. It is not the individual effort but the effort of the whole team that makes champions.
Peyton L. Alek F. Braden N. Hudson J. Carter G. Owen M. Gryphon B. Karden C. Ian M. Ethan S. and Anthony K., they all now know what it means to be successful, to work hard and a great teammate!
The coaching staff couldn't be more proud.
Congrats on a very successful season guys. You earned it!!!
