Finding out, if not recalling that the playoffs are a different animal didn't take long to sink in as a hustling slick passing Ingersoll squad reminded them right out of the gate and were in front 1-0 with 7 minutes to play before the Thunder erupted for a pair of goals to escape town with two points. The score was evened when Benny's blast from the point was redirected with a most delicate 'tip' in by Jacob, minutes before Ashton's cool backhander betwixt post'n pad proved to be the difference maker marker. The rematch back in the friendly confines of the Caledonia Clark pad was another narrow victory of the 4-2 variety in which our heroes may not have put on their most splendid display of thee beautiful game but....a win is a win....thanks Nick....and two points.
Next up on the docket was the first game of the 2018-19 OMHA PeeWee BB Playdowns up in Erin, home of the Devils, some of the Thunder Throng may vaguely remember unpleasantly from past pastings. Those nasty Devils came out breathing fire and brimstone as the 3 p.m. latecomers arrived (no new fangled fancy GPS doo dads for us men of the map....ah...excuse us...where the heck is Erin?) to a 1-0 deficit which could/should have been higher if not for Nolan's acrobatics between the pipes until the boys in purple hit their stride...then it was over. Taking control of the corners, back checking relentlessly, and passing both smartly and unselfishly the team scored 3 goals in the second period and finished off the game with 3 more in the final frame for a well earned 6-3 verdict. Our flashy forwards Ryan, Evan, Devon, Aiden, and Ashton out worked their opponents along the boards and down in the corners, made great passes and skated down countless rushes while back on the blue line Shane, Ryan and Ryan kept the forwards at bay, fed perfect break out passes and were also firing away at the opposing net with some 'cannonading' blasts of their own. There was almost a tense moment when play was halted momentarily when one of Benny's rockets to the goalies mid section needed a referee's steady hand and forceps to extract said missile. Up front a pair of goals from the ever hard charging Shayne and another deuce apiece for Cole of the quick release and the irrepressible Jake all accounted for the scoreboard damage and game one was in the books. Amidst all of the scoring was the omnipresent-whirling dervish of a blur that we think was Lucas if he would slow down enough to see a 58 or an 85 or something on his back. Slashing into the offensive zone Archie continually stripped the puck away from defenders before whipping pinpoint passes to anybody who was open, all resulting in 3 goals and a lot of wind burn. Twas a well played, well officiated contest and another all important two points.
Great game boys, great job behind the bench, and an awesome crowd of supporters. One last tip of the helmet to the team's avoidance of the sin bin, they are averaging less than one (1!!!) infraction per outing since early December, a very important stat moving forward against top teams.
Next up: Paris Wednesday 8:15.....Be There!
Article written by Robin Pozzo