Jan 04, 2022 | Scott Price | 395 views
U13 Rep IceDogs Rally in a ShowDown before the Lockdown
The U13 Rep IceDogs have an identity and when they play to it, they are a force to be reckoned with. They are quick. They are tenacious. They play for each other. And they don't quit. All traits they will need in spades to get through this "pause" and get back to playing when it's over.
The IceDogs dressing room was eerily quite before the game (maybe it's because Aidan was last to arrive ;-)). But by puck drop it was clear, the IceDogs were all business. Despite an edge in play, it was the Kinucks that got on the board first and would continue to lead when the first period horn sounded. Aidan S. was sharp once again to keep his team in it in the early going.
It wasn't long into the second when the IceDogs found their complete game. Ethan S. would pick up a loose puck (after Carter M. caused a turnover) and snipe bar down to knot things up at 1. A carbon copy goal by Ethan 3 mins later (with Carter once again causing a turnover) would see the IceDogs take the lead 2-1. The Kinucks would tie things up shortly after on a rocket shot and it gave Kincardine a push. With Aidan holding down the fort, the IceDogs would hang on for the remainder of the second and head to the 2nd intermission tied up at 2.
Coach P. gave a spirited call for a few minor adjustments in the 3rd (we won't give away our secrets here ;-)). And it worked. Right out of the gate, the IceDogs began to push. Once again, Carter M. would wreck havoc inside the Kincardine end and Jesse P would bury a rebound for a 3-2 lead. With the Kincardine bench coming a bit unglued, the IceDogs just kept coming. Karden C. would hold the line and get a puck to the net and this time Brayden P. slammed home a rebound for a 4-2 lead. A few more Kincardine penalties helped the IceDogs cause and Owen M. would strip a Kinuck of the puck in the neutral zone, where Ethan S. collected it and fired home the empty netter for a 5-2 lead and final.
It felt and looked like a playoff game. With the shutdown looming over both team's heads, they played an intense and hard fought game. Let's hope there are a few more of those games on the horizon. Aidan, Karden, Alek, Owen W, Waylon, Jesse, Brayden, Carter, Porter, Ethan and Owen M--you made your coaches and parents proud last night with a gutsy effort. And we will see you back at the rink very soon.