Friday Night Lights.
On
a very warm November evening the Tara Legion U18 Rep AEMHA Ice Dogs were
hosting the Wingham Ironmen for a battle of two undefeated teams. This would be a test for our team with a tough
adversary and the pressure from the fans to be thoroughly entertained.
The game started with end-to-end action and a lot of time spent in the neutral zone throughout the first period. Each team had a chance on the power play, but neither could manage much time in the offensive ends with the PK firing on all cylinders. There were lots of shots on the net throughout the first period but both goalies came to play and denied all attempts.
The 2nd period was much like the first but with a lot more special teams play with a combined 9 penalties for the combatants. Determined to get on the scoresheet any way they could Levi W, Emmett J, Avery D and Colby H all had an extra chance to sit for 2 minutes and recharge. The Ice Dogs had the edge on shots on goal, but all were denied by the visitors netminder, and the rebounds just seemed to bounce the wrong way on this night. The teams would head to the 2nd intermission still in a 0 – 0 tie. Trying hard to inspire the troops the coaching staff affirmed the good stuff so far and that another gear needs to be found to finish this game off.
The 3rd period was underway and both teams were determined to get on the scoreboard first. Unfortunately, the Ironmen struck first on the PP after Jake M was called for a penalty @ 11:29 and with a bounce going the wrong way helped them get one past Tyson L at 10:39 to open the scoring 1 – 0. With some push to get that one back the Ice Dogs offence drew a penalty and before long Spencer H scored to even the score at 7:58. There may have been some early celebrating done as the Ironmen on a bit of a broken offensive rush had an odd man rush and scored at 6:49 to regain their lead 2 – 1. There was no quit in the Dogs though and with several good chances and close calls they peppered the Ironman netminder with a barrage of shots right down to the wire. It just wasn’t meant to be, and the clock ran down with the home team in the loss column for the first time this season with a 2 – 1 final.
After the game they players were told they played a great game and to use how they felt to fuel them for their next game against a local rival the Shallow Lake Lakers on Monday Nov 7th @ 7:00 in Shallow Lake.