The Riptide posted a tough loss and a big win this weekend, as the Riptide continues to roll!
The Riptide started the weekend with our second 9pm game in two weeks, in the dreaded Glanbrook arena on Friday night. The Riptide were expecting a much stronger Rangers White than the team they faced the previous week - which was a scary thought - but the Riptide came out and played them evenly for much of the contest.
The Rangers started the scoring early in the first, but the Riptide evened the score near the end of the period. Ethan Ferreira scored a beauty, assisted by defenseman Gray Kinden. The crowd was fired up, and looked forward to the second period...hopeful for more great defense and spectacular scoring opportunities.
The Rangers scored twice in the second period, and the Riptide entered the third period down 3-1. Not for long, ladies and gentleman, not for long. Very early in the third Jakob Kubisch broke away and scored his first of the game, unassisted. The Riptide found themselves down by one as the period rolled on. Sadly, the Rangers scored one final goal midway through the third period, but this was once again answered by Kubisch, assisted by defensemen Tyler Dinya and Shane Williams. But, the clock ticked away, and the Riptide were unable to notch the equalizer ....and the clock read "zero" with the Riptide just falling short of a tie. Final score was 4-3 in favour of a very beatable Glanbrook squad.
The game was fairly clean, with many unusual calls/no-calls - which fired up the crowd - but we all escaped the abyss of Glanbrook with no casualties or confrontations!! Yay for us!
The Riptide finished the weekend with a game against their rivals from down the river, the Cayuga Stars. The Riptide faithful were a tad concerned for their players as the enormous Cayuga squad stormed the ice surface. Oh boy....they were big 'uns! They were fast, skilled and strong!
The first period saw the game remain scoreless, and the Riptide entered the second period looking to score. Early in the second, forward Dustin Hine sent a screaming shot past the goalie at a spectacular angle, and the crowd exploded! Hine was assisted with his goal by defenseman Tyler Dinya. As the second period wore on, the game got a little chippier and both teams were sent to the penalty box twice. The Riptide went into the third period gasping for breath, but fighting until the end to maintain the lead. Again, the Stars had some penalty trouble but the Riptide were unable to extend their lead, thanks to a very strong Stars defense. However, in the waning seconds and with the puck on the stick of the very capable - and lone second-year player - Zack Hall - the final buzzer sounded with the score reading 1-0 in favour of the Riptide.
The Riptide were missing their strong forward Isaak Fisher, and are very much looking forward to the return of superstar, and "secret move specialist" Owen Clarke. Clarke has muscled through his devastating lower body injury, and should be ready for action in the very near future. The Riptide faithful, as well as the two other centers - who have gotten extensive conditioning over the last few games - are very excited about his return.
The Riptide are next in action on Thursday night in Hagersville against Hagersville 9, and then back home Sunday evening for a contest against Hagersville 8.
Go Tide!