Jan 14, 2023 | Scott Price | 306 views
IceDogs Win with Complete Effort in Mitchell
Your U15 IceDogs were coming off a emotionally charged 3rd place finish in the Fort Erie Winter Classic Tournament. After a Coach's and Player's meeting at practice, they were ready to sprint to the finish line on the regular season.
Mental toughness, resiliency and team play were the focus on this night. The IceDogs brought that AND what they already do well -- forecheck and pressure for a complete game.
Things started well for the 'Dogs as the came out firing and defending well. Relentless pressure led to Riley J. snapping home his first on the night (assisted by Ethan S.) Ethan would dent the twine off a nice won puck battle and pass from Simon J. to make it 2-0 IceDogs. The IceDogs just missed on a few chances and kept the Meteors at bay for the rest of the period (with a little help from their tendy Owen W.) for a well-deserved 2-0 lead at the first intermission.
The 2nd period was ALL IceDogs. These 'Dogs always work hard but tonight they got rewarded on the scoreboard for it. First, on the PP, Brayden P. separated his man from the puck and Riley J. scooped it up for another lovely snipe to make it 3-0. Riley and Brayden would team up again on a just missed one timer, but Brayden moved the puck to a wide open d-man Tyler B., who found Chris P. waiting all alone in front for another beauty and it was 4-0. Owen M-10 would get a hard-working goal, after Ethan S. wound his way our front. Owen would take a hit but found the puck and slid it home to make it 5-0. Another powerplay (the IceDogs were drawing lots of penalties on this night with the consistent puck pursuit) had Anderson G. with a great break out pass to Brayden on the half wall. Brayden found a streaking Riley J. through the middle and a patented Riley J. snapper would give him the hatty and his team a 6-0 lead as the third period came to a close.
The IceDogs gave up an early goal in the third period but Owen W. slammed the door shut the rest of the way. The IceDogs kept up their pressure and hard-checking and had the better chances but were held off the scoresheet in the third. But it was one of their best, most complete efforts on the season. Mitchell is a hard-working team and the IceDogs beat them in every aspect of the game. Most importantly, they played with a mental toughness, a team first approach and maximized what they already do well - check, check and check!
Good job IceDogs! Let's keep the ball rolling next time out!