Feb 28, 2022 | Scott Price | 302 views
IceDogs Score Late to Edge Rebels
Your u13 Rep IceDogs hosted the TCDMHA Rebels on Sunday evening in their 5th Round Robin Playoff Game. Fresh off a lopsided score last Tuesday, the IceDogs were looking to keep their solid team play going on this night.
This Rebel squad has a lot of pride and were out to prove last time was a fluke. And they certainly came to play on this night. Despite the IceDogs carrying the edge in play, the Rebel net minder backstopped his club to a 0-0 score after one period of play.
This IceDog team has learned some lessons this year and one of them is to stick with the game plan, even if pucks aren't going in. They elevated their play even more, jumping on loose pucks, winning races and battles on the boards and making good first passes to spring teammates. Ethan S. would collect a loose puck after a won puck battle by Owen M, and snapped one low glove side to get the IceDogs the lead. Continued pressure led to more chances and eventually, the Rebels took a penalty late. They would have a power play to start the 3rd, leading 1-0.
The power play on fresh ice lead to instant results. Saucing the puck around the Rebel zone, the puck would eventually find its way to Alek F. on the blue line. His low, hard wrister was tipped by Jesse P, right to a wide open Owen M and it was 2-0 IceDogs. But the power play led to the lines going in the mixer and some confusion and missed assignments in the IceDog end led to the Rebels replying quickly and it was 2-1. The Rebels got some energy from that goal and began to apply some pressure of their own. A flurry of activity in front of Aidan S. led to another Rebel goal and it was 2-2 with 6 minutes left to play.
Another lesson the IceDogs learned this year is to keep their composure in the face of controversy. Despite carrying the edge in play and the score being tied, the IceDogs kept coming. Jesse P and Porter B. would work together to win a puck battle, where Jesse fed a wide open Brayden P. who onetimed a blast by the Rebel goalie for a 3-2 lead with 4 minutes left to play. Again, the Rebels didn't quit and worked a puck to the net that found a hole and we were tied once again. But the IceDogs dug deep and in true IceDog fashion, it was a hard working and determined Porter B. that won a loose puck to skate in alone and score to give the IceDogs the lead with 2 minutes left to play. Aden M. would collect a great pass from Porter with less than a minute left and ice this one with an empty netter and the IceDogs skated away with a hard earned 5-3 win.
That was playoff hockey...two good teams going toe to toe. Coming out on the winning end of a game like that should give the IceDogs some confidence going forward, with 3 more games left to play in the Round Robin playoff.
The IceDogs are off to Listowel for a Wednesday night tilt with the Cyclones--lots of good seats still available ;-)