Feb 07, 2023 | Scott Price | 243 views
IceDogs Win Big in T-Town!
Your U15 IceDog Rep Team was fresh off a comeback overtime win vs TCDMHA on Saturday and this time were the host in the Tara Cyclone Taylor Arena on Monday night.
The IceDogs wanted to keep the energy going right out of the gate and they did exactly that. We won't let all our secrets out here but the boys had a game plan and played it to perfection in the early going. Riley J. would win a board battle and work the puck to Brayden P, who threaded the needle to Chris P for a top cheddar snipe to kickstart the scoring. Ethan S. would check a Rebel defender, steal the puck and fire a pass to Simon J. for a another goal and they were full marks for the 2-0 lead. The Rebels would get one back and it seemed to put the IceDogs on their heels a bit. Penalty trouble hit the IceDogs but they weathered the storm. Chris P. would find Brayden P. out front for a one timer goal and then Chris would collect a shorthanded goal to help lead his team to a 4-2 lead at the recess.
The 2nd period was all IceDogs. First, Chris sprung Brayden P. on a breakaway with a terrific pass and Brayden scored to make it 5-2. Riley and Brayden worked together right after the face-off and Chris would wire his 3rd of the night for a 6-2 lead. Ethan S. picked up his first of the night off a lovely behind the net pass from Owen M-8 with the second helper going to Simon. Chris P, Ethan S. and Austin L. would score carbon copy goals, busting down the right side and ripping hard, high shots by the shell-shocked Rebel net minder. The IceDogs were relentless on pucks, and checks and were moving the puck to the open man with precision throughout the second period, refusing to let the Rebels off the mat. After 2 period of play, it was 10-2 IceDogs.
The IceDogs had another gameplan heading into the third. Keep the good habits, manage the puck and keep your head on a swivel. The Rebels were coming a bit unglued, but the IceDogs continued to show their mental toughness by not retaliating and keeping their foot firmly on the gas. Owen M-10 would score a lovely goal (assisted by Ethan S.) and Owen M-8 would collect a goal off a terrific give and go with lineman Simon J. The final score would end up 12-3 and the IceDogs had themselves a confidence building win in the good ol' Tara Arena.
It might not seem like it in a lopsided game but the defence corps of Anderson G, Alek F, Karden C and Tyler B. were absolutely stellar and instrumental in the win, snuffing out Rebel chances and making terrific lead passes to spring their forwards. Owen W. was tested early and weathered the storm until his team found their legs. Riley J., who was checked by 2 or 3 Rebels every shift, found his open line mates and created scoring chances for them--he was tremendous in the checking department too. It was a team win in every sense of the word.
These IceDogs seem to have found that extra gear and hunger every winning team needs in playoff time. They'll have to wait a bit for their next test when Mid-Huron visits the Chesley Arena - Fri, Feb 17.