Jan 28, 2023 | Scott Price | 133 views
IceDog Fall to Defenders
It was Friday night in Chesley and a battle between two evenly matched teams - the Drayton Defenders and your U15 Rep IceDogs.
On paper, the match-up was even and it was probably going to come down to which team could execute their game plan better than the other team.
The IceDogs started off strong and just missed on some glorious opportunities in tight. Each line had several good looks turned away by the Defender net minder. And, as is usually the case, Drayton would weather that storm and find a hole and lead 1-0 at the first intermission.
The IceDogs kept coming in the 2nd. Brayden P. just nicked the post on tremendous set-up play by Riley J. and the IceDog pressure began to lead to Drayton taking penalties. Brayden P. would absorb a hit to make a play to d-man Tyler B. who fed a cross ice pass to Alek F. Alek walked in and absolutely smoked one by the Drayton goalie to knot things up at 1. A few more close chances didn't go the IceDog way and they just took their foot off the gas a bit. Drayton would capitalize with a couple of quick goals. But these IceDogs prove to be resilient. The trio of Chris P, Austin L and Owen M-10 would work together to get the puck to the net and Owen M-10 would corral a rebound to get the IceDogs within 1 at the break.
The third period has kinda been this team's Achilles heel but not on this night. They came our clearly the better team and had the puck most of the period. The Drayton goalie just wouldn't relent. And, when you have the puck a lot, not every play goes your way. A turnover led to a Drayton chance and the skater found a hole to put his team up 4-2. The IceDogs didn't wilt and peppered the Drayton goalie but they just couldn't bang home the reounds and succumbed by a final of 4-2.
There was lots of good on this night...just not enough of it and Drayton executed where we didn't. That was the story. By the looks of the faces in that dressing room, it won't be the story next time around.