Dec 16, 2018 | Scott Price | 329 views
Atom Rep IceDogs are All Heart in Tournament Final
The AEMHA Atom Rep IceDogs had a double header on Sunday as they had earned the right to play for Gold at the Annual Atom Rep Tournament in Paisley.
Semi-Final Game vs Saugeen Shores - Coming off one of their worst efforts of the season, the IceDogs vowed to be better....and they were! Despite falling behind 2-0 midway through the game, the IceDogs were applying a relentless forecheck and supporting one another all over the ice. The line of Owen M.-Brayden P and Lucas S. had a terrific bounce back game and broke the goose egg with a hard-working shift midway through the 2nd period. Brayden and Owen M. worked the puck toward the net and Lucas S. would jam it home to get the IceDogs on the board. A controversial penalty would seem to halt the IceDog momentum but Ethan S. wouldn't let that happen. Right off the face-off, Ethan would collect the puck, gallop the length of the ice, and rip a shot top shelf (where Mom keeps the peanut butter) and the IceDogs had tied things up at 2. The third period was a scoreless affair but Owen W. had to be sharp to keep things tied. With time winding down in third, the Storm would take a bench minor for two many men (thanks to a keen eye by Coach Chad!) The IceDogs didn't score in the time remaining in regulation, but they were coming on strong. Overtime would start with the Storm killing off the remaining seconds in the penalty but Landon B. would collect the puck and hit the Storm blue line with a head of steam. The Storm defenders swarmed him but they forgot all about Ethan S. who collected the loose puck and ripped another high-hard one to win the game for the IceDogs and send them to the gold medal game.
Championship Game vs BCH IceDogs - this was the match-up the Coaches and Fans wanted---another crack at the rival IceDogs who man-handled the Atom Reps the night before. Right off the get-go, you could tell, today was going to be different. Owen W. still had to be sharp, but BCH was one and done most of the day and couldn't break through the tight Arran-Elderslie defence. The forward lines were working hard too against a strong BCH team who did a great job hemming them in their own end. Despite the BCH pressure, most shots were from the outside and Owen W. was picking cherries as he kept his team in the game. Another controversial penalty toward the end of the 2nd period had BCH finish off a tic-tac-toe goal and a 1-0 lead at the 2nd recess. This Atom Rep IceDog team showed just how much they cared by digging in deep in the third and it paid off when Landon B. broke free from his check and pulled a nifty deke past the BCH goalie to tie things up midway through the frame. It was the first goal against for BCH in 5 straight games and it definitely rattled their cage. The IceDogs were coming on now with a ton of pressure as the third period ended and it was off to Extra Fun once again. The 4 on 4 frame had a little bit of everything--great saves, great rushes, hit posts and tons of effort from both IceDog teams. The 5 minute period ended with neither team able to end the game and this game would be decided by a shoot-out.
BCH would finally end it with their final shooter finding the back of the net. It was wildly entertaining match-up between two even teams and a ton of respect was earned on both sides.
The AEMHA Atom Rep IceDogs would like to thank all their fans and families for supporting them this weekend and working hard to put on a great tournament. Special thanks to Angela Pawley (Tournament Convenor) and Leigh-Anne Sweiger for organizing the schedule and meals.
Most of all, thanks to the players for buying in to the game plan and setting the stage for some great hockey in the weeks ahead.