Feb 15, 2016 | Tyard | 871 views
Progressive WS Major Midget Weekend Results.
It's going to be a tough 1/4 final series if the 1st two games are any indication!
On the Friday night, the Bears jumped quickly to a 2-0 lead and the way the boys started, it looked like it might be clear sailing. They dominated the 1st 8 minutes and kept Napanee hemmed in and on the defensive. Slowly however, the tide turned and the Napanee Stars clawed their way back. As the game entered the 3rd period Napanee had taken a 3-2 lead. The Bears have proven all season that they don't give up and sure enough, they scored before regulation was over and once again, overtime ensued.
After 10 minutes of tense overtime play with chances at both ends, the game ended in a 3-3 tie and a point going to each team. It should be noted that the Bears really let this one slip by not maintaining their initial energy and team structure. They let the Stars back in the game and even though the Bears didn't play nearly their best, they managed a tie.
Game two was more of the same but the Bears carried the play for the most part and gained a 1-0 lead. Our boys clearly had more chances but just couldn't bury their many opportunities. Napanee scored to tie the game with only 4 minutes remaining. For the 5th time in 8 playoff games overtime was needed after a 1-1 tie in regulation. It looked once again like overtime would solve nothing but then from what looked like a harmless puck tossed at the net... deflected by a stick causing it to loop high over the goalie and into the net... the Stars scored a total fluke with just 17 seconds remaining!
It was a tough way to lose for sure but the players should take heart that they were the dominant team in offensive zone time and deserved a better fate. There is no doubt if the energy, discipline and structure employed in game two continues, they should even the series in the next game.
The team travels to Napanee for 2 games Friday and Saturday but will certainly return to the Bracebridge Memorial Arena for game 5 on Sunday the 21st at 5 pm.