Jan. 28/17 - Blakewood Construction @ Huntsville HRC
On January 28th,
Blakewood Construction took a road trip up to play Huntsville HRC at the Summit
Centre. This was their second time
playing against this team; the first time we were defeated by a narrow margin
of 7 – 6. Would history repeat itself?
During the first period, both teams played well; they were both strong, determined and neither side gave an inch nor did they allow any goals to be scored. Helmut A. made a nice play travelling up the ice and then made a solid pass; Joshua D. stick handled past a few HRC to take the puck into their end. Daichi was strong on defence, keeping the puck from penetrating our end. Ben made a nice interception and thwarted an HRC breakaway. Mason W., Grayden Z, and Lincoln W. all played well offensively and had hard, strong shots on net.
Corbin H., our goalie, had some great saves throughout the first period. However, at 2:53 the HRC was able to penetrate our defensive line, and posted their first goal, to go up 1 - 0. In the last two minutes of play, our team played even harder. Wyatt G. wreaked havoc on the HRC defense and Colton B. chased down the pucks and used the boards well. Mason took some more well placed shots on net and on one of those plays, Grayden Z. acted as his defensive “wingman” which allowed Mason to slam in our first goal of the game, assisted also by Daichi McE. Good team effort on that goal to let us end the period tied at 1 apiece.
The second period started off strong. Lincoln W., Beckett R. and Ben W. all took control of the puck and made some nice passes. At 8:16, Corbin H. made another great save from the goal. Also, Wyatt G. and Chase R. had two great breakaways to the net. Mason W. tried again and again with some explosive shots on net. Joshua D. made a nice interception from in front of our net to carry the puck back into their end. Grayden Z. while carrying the puck managed to keep control despite being tripped three times by the opposing team –- what determination! Corbin H. made a fantastic save with only 51 seconds left on the clock and as such, no goals penetrated either net in this second period, so it ended with still tied 1-1.
The third period had some exciting hockey! Grayden Z. blocked some great shots on net. Helmut A. stole the puck away from the HRC and sent it back down the ice into their end. Beckett R. fought for the puck and got control. Mason W. wouldn’t give up and kept pelting their goalie with shots but nothing seemed to be going in until at 8:23, Ben W. pounded in a solid goal, assisted by Mason W. and Lincoln W, giving us the advantage for the first time in this game; up 2 – 1. After that first goal of the period, the team was energized, and within one minute of that goal, at 7:08, the same line, Ben. W., assisted by Mason W. and Lincoln W. potted in their next goal – giving Ben his second goal of the game and strengthening our lead to 4 - 1. That line was on fire! Our offensive streak continued in the third period, as less than a minute later, at 6:23, Mason W. assisted by Colton B. and Beckett R. slammed in the next goal of the game – to widen our lead to a comfortable 4 – 1. However, the HRC were not taking things lightly and with 6 minutes left to play, scored their second goal of the game to up the score 4 – 2. In the last few minutes of play, our team played extremely well. Mason W. had more shots on net, as well as Ben W. Chase R. made another great pass to give Daichi McE. a shot in the last few minutes. Wyatt G. continued to thwart the HRC offence, again and again. As well, Grayden Z. made a great shot on net with only seconds to go and as the clock counted down the HRC were not able to rebound back, so the game ended in our favour – with a final score of 4 – 2.
Today was a great day of hockey. The team is coming together; there was more passing between the players and they were thinking about their shots and their positioning in front of the opposing net. The team held their lines well and even though a tough two periods, kept their spirits and determination up! The communication between the players on ice has improved greatly. They should be very proud of how they played today – a fantastic morning of hockey and a great game to watch!