Feb 15, 2020 | Scott Price | 651 views
IceDogs Sink the Sailors!
It was a snowy Saturday night in T-Town and the Atom Rep IceDogs hosted the Goderich Sailors in the first of two of the WOAA Round Robin series.
The IceDogs were buzzing in the dressing room, eager to hit the ice and they did with a flurry of activity in the Goderich end. Several strong chances went unrewarded until Ethan S. made a strong check in the neutral zone. Simon J. collected the puck, galloped into the Sailor zone and unleashed a wrister that eluded the net minder, giving Simon his first of the year and the IceDogs the opening goal. Things were looking pretty good after that but a bouncing puck somehow ended up finding a Sailor all alone in front and they didn't miss. Things were tied at 1 after one.
The second period saw the IceDogs open up the throttle and take the play to the Sailors. Some more close calls almost broke the dead lock but the Sailor goalie stood his ground. Finally, Simon made a great play at the blue line to keep the puck in the Sailor zone. The Sailors would gain the puck back but Karden read the play, picked off a clearing pass and fire a drive on the net. Ethan S. would pick up the rebound and put it home to give the 'Dogs the 2-1 lead at the 2nd recess.
The IceDogs continued to push the pace in the 3rd and the Sailors began to come unglued with some cheap shots that went unnoticed by the boys in the stripes. But this IceDog team has learned a thing or two over the year---you block out the distractions and focus on your job. After some great pressure shifts (and a Carter G. bullet that will have the Sailor goalie twitching in his sleep), Ethan S. would rip home a TRUELY great shot to put the IceDogs up 3-1. (assist to Owen W.) A carbon copy rush moments later, but this time Ethan unleashed a clapper into the top corner and the IceDogs were pulling away (assist to Simon J). The Sailors would get another fortunate bounce to get that one back but Jesse and Brayden would break in on a 2 on 1 and with D taking Brayden all the way, Jesse would take the shot and go top cheddar to put this one to bed.
Earlier in the season, this was the type of game that the IceDogs might have let get away from them. But this team has learned how to persevere and their will to win was on display in this one. The IceDogs have a return match with Goderich to end the WOAA Round Robin and you can bet it will be another tough battle. Keep the good habits going IceDogs!