Nov 15, 2022 | Scott Price | 254 views
Big Dub in T-Town!
Your U15 Rep IceDogs were coming off some tough losses--played well but didn't win--some teams would fold--but not this group...
It helped that border rival TCDMHA were the visiting team. It helped that one of the last time some of these players played in the Tara Arena the place was packed to the rafters to help send them to the OMHA Tournament. And it helped that the players were determined to get back in the win column.
Things started out fairly well for the IceDogs as they put up a relentless forecheck and caused turnovers, leading to chances. The IceDogs would strike first when Chris P. drove the puck deep into Rebel territory and back fed a wide open Owen M-8 for a tap-in goal. The IceDogs were full on the accelerator as the period came to a close but had to settle for a 1 goal lead.
The second period had the Rebels finding another gear and taking it to the home team. A few big hits seemed to have an effect on the 'Dogs and they weren't coming full throttle anymore. Owen W. was sharp in the net to keep his team in the lead. But a IceDog penalty led to a Rebel goal and it was tied up as the period started to close. The IceDogs caught a break however when Simon J. and Owen M-8 dug a puck out to Ethan S., who slid it 5-hole and the IceDogs had a big momentum building goal at the end of the period.
With Coach P less than thrilled with the IceDogs second period play, the team came out firing on all cylinders to start the 3rd. First, Ethan would snap home a tough angle beauty, picking up a ricochet off a Simon J. shot. Then, Riley J. would continue his torrid start to the season with a beauty dangle and snipe, off a feed from Karden C. Austin L and Owen M-10 combined for another, with Austin L. outracing a Rebel defender and feeding Owen for a deftly little tip into the Rebel cage. However, the Rebels would get one back when good buddy Lennox K. fired one home for his squad. Anderson "Andy" G. completed the scoring with a howitzer from centre ice, as he picked the corner on a inattentive Rebel goalie (assisted by Riley J.).
It was a big win. Not because we beat our cross border rivals. Not because we rebounded with a strong 3rd period. But we needed a W. We had played well, stuck to the game plan and hadn't been rewarded. And if the IceDogs can remember how playing like that felt, there should be a few more W's in the future.