Feb 02, 2020 | Kevin Waddell | 459 views
Icedogs get the last bite on the Sailors
A wise official once told me two things. If a play on the ice looks bad, it usually is and an official will never cost you a game. These two things are always fresh in my mind as I stand behind the bench.
We traveled to Goderich on Friday afternoon to meet up against the Sailors on their ice, for our second meeting of the season. The lads were pumped up, perhaps from a diet of wonderful creations during their PD day.
What commenced at the drop of the puck will go down as one of the most interesting and challenging games of the season.
As the first period got underway, it became clear that our boys were in for a fight. Silent were the whistles on some questionable plays and contacts through the 1st period. Although frazzled at times, our lads pushed on and did their best even though at times you could tell they were antsy to be rid of the puck.
To say Owen W, put on a goaltending clinic is an understatement. Daemyn, Owen, Ryan, Braden and Nick stood tall in countless net crashing attempts. This allowed their goaltender to do his job well. In the crease attempts were kicked aside through the 1st and 2nd. Owen "the wall" was in the zone.
Austin and Cole were all over the ice supporting both offensive and defensive zones.
Kaden, Sean, Lucas and Anderson kept the Sailors busy end to end.
As the 2nd got underway, the calls that were okay in the first, were no longer acceptable if you wore an Icedogs Jersey. Braden was called on a hook, far less severe than was allowable in the first.
That riled up the coaches and we began to question the safety of our players. Most were returning from their shifts banged up or complaining about the play on the ice.
But as Tom Petty says.........I won't back down!
On a strong forecheck, Austin's line squeaked the puck out to an awaiting Daemyn.........A low hard shot right at the net, kissed the tape on the Great 88's stick for the tip in. Up 1-0
During the break, we gathered in the dressing room with an upset squad and coaches. We told the lads, let the coaches deal with the officials and focus on your game. Answer them on the scoreboard
As the 3rd got underway, our concerns were met with bench penalties, questionable calls and even the usually mild mannered coach Brock was asked to watch the game from the stands (if you know what i mean lol)
The boys fought short handed for the first 10 minutes and due to the extra bench minor, most of that time it was 5 on 3. During the second 5 on 3, Goderich figured out that crashing the net and having their biggest player lay on our goalie was the only way to score. Subsequently that worked and the game was tied with 5 mins left to go.
Again the boys were reminded, this is not over lets do this! And they did.
Carrying one of his best "B" games to date, and 2 minutes left to play, Austin pushed his way through the Goderich defenders and tucked in the winning goal through the 5 hole.
Im so proud of each and every one of our players for battling through. Those victories are the sweetest of them all.