Jan 12, 2019 | Scott Price | 537 views
Atom Rep IceDogs Kick Off OMHA Playoffs!
The AEMHA Atom Rep IceDogs made the long trek south to Monkton to try and tame the Predators of Central Perth on Saturday morning. This would be game 1 of a best of 5 series.
Right out of the gate the IceDogs proved they were ready to play and took the play to the Predators. Winning puck battles and putting Coach Chad's game plan into action the IceDogs were working hard but not getting rewarded. The Predators would catch a break on an IceDog turnover and take the lead part way through the first. The IceDogs remained undaunted and kept their foot on the gas. The score remained 1-0 until the first intermission.
The IceDogs kept up their play into the 2nd period but still couldn't catch a break. The Predators did a great job keeping the IceDogs to the outside and didn't allow any 2nd chances. When they got a chance, they pounced and skated hard to earn their 2nd chances. Some interesting refereeing slowed down the IceDog momentum until George I. skated hard into the Predator zone. With Ethan S. and Carter G. crashing the net, George would sift one into the corner to get the IceDogs a goal. With time ticking down and the IceDogs pressing, the 2nd period would end with the IceDogs trailing.
The third period saw the Preds strike twice rather quickly to take the wind out of the IceDogs sails but they continued to work hard to the final buzzer despite the lopsided score.
The IceDogs played a 99 degree game. They were hot but they need that one more degree of effort to get that water boiling and earn some hard working "greasy" goals. If this game proved anything it is that the IceDogs can't take a period or shift off. But they also served notice that the Predators are in for a long series.
The two teams are back in action Sunday in Chesley with a 6:00 puck drop.