Oct 29, 2019 | Scott Price | 279 views
IceDogs Bring Heart and Hustle but Succomb to the Blizzard
It was a battle of two top teams on Monday night in the Wolves Den in Ripley as the Huron-Bruce Blizzard hosted your Atom Rep IceDogs. The Blizzard were proving to be a tough team this year but this IceDog team would not be intimidated.
The first period had the IceDogs buzzing all around the Blizzard skaters and the irritating style of play was definately paying off. A couple of missed opportunities could have had the 'Dogs up one or two goals but the puck just wouldn't cross the line. The Blizzard took advanage of their one opportunity, beating a screened Peyton L. to take a 1-0 lead af the end of one.
The 2nd period had the IceDogs still humming but the big, tough Blizzard defenders just wouldn't give an inch. Some panic plays and bad breaks had the Blizzard netting 4 goals in the frame but Peyton was not to blame on a single one as he was either screened or beating on a rebound. Several larcenous saves kept this one from being a blowout.
The way the IceDogs responded in the 3rd period might be a turning point in the season. Down 5-0 and the game all but decided, the IceDogs turned up the heat and went to work. Tirelessly forechecking and winning puck battles led to the game being played in the Blizzard end for most of the period. Brayden P just missed on a clapper from the top of the circle. Jesse P would almost break free on a breakway but the Blizzard got a stick into his feet to stop him from skating in all alone. Owen M. would split the D, only to be tripped up at the last moment before getting a shot off. Carter G. would forecheck hard and get a turnover, only to be denied by the Blizzard goalie. The game would end in a 5-0 loss, but for those in attendance, the score is not reflective of the play. Outworking, outchecking and outskating the Blizzard for a large chunk of the game, the IceDogs just couldn't outscore them.
We will feel good about our effort but not the result. The IceDogs will look to rebound when they face the Predators of Bruce Penn on Friday...7:00 puck drop in Wiarton.