On Sunday,
January 29th, 2017, our brother team, Wes Finch & Sons, hosted
us in Gravenhurst. This was the fourth time that we played Wes Finch –
posting a loss, tie and win against them in the prior three games. Equal in points in our last three games, how
would this game result tip the point scales?
Our team was dynamite during the first period. Ben W. came out strong with a great shot on net. Corbin H., our goalie, made a couple of great saves back to back. Grayden Z. and Wyatt G. wreaked havoc on the Wes Finch offense. Approximately 4 minutes in, Mason W. made a great shot on net and scored our first goal, giving us the early lead. Helmut A. was fearless; he fought for the puck in a scrum and his efforts were rewarded as he sent the puck flying back down to their end. Mason W. made a solid shot on net, and then seconds later, potted in his second goal, assisted by Lincoln W., to up the lead by 2. Daichi McE. hustled to make a stellar block in front of our net. Also, Joshua D. took a big leap to swipe the puck away from an advancing player. Chase R. and Grayden Z. were all over the puck, which paid off as at 3:14 left to go in the first period, Grayden Z, slammed in our third goal, assisted by Chase R., to end the first period up by 3.
Second period play continued and Wes Finch was ramping up their game. Both teams were playing well and making each other work for any advantage. Beckett R. made some great swipes to steal the puck from Wes Finch and he carried it up the ice well. Helmut A. had a strong well-placed shot on net. Then, with 6:54 left to go in the second period, Chase R. heaved in another goal, assisted by Wyatt G. which upped the score to 4 – 0. The next five minutes went by with neither side being able to penetrate the net and each side giving the other a run for their money. Paige O., however, had some great passes during this period and stifled some Wes Finch players. Colton B. did a great job stick handling the puck out of our end. Then, with only 59 seconds left in the second period, Mason W., assisted by Joshua D., slammed in his third goal of the game, to end the second period 5 – 0.
Third period play was intense. Once again, Wes Finch was a fierce competitor. Beckett R. continued to fight for the puck. Both Colton B. and Paige O. made two great blocks before sending the puck careening back to their end. Our defensive players, Ben W. and Lincoln W., both gave solid performances and showed great hustle. They were tireless in defending the net and strong and aggressive in their offensive play. Wyatt G. continued to bombard Wes Finch’s net. Then with 4 minutes left to play, Mason W. scored his 4th goal of the day, to up the lead 6 – 0. Corbin H, in net, made save after save this period to stop any goals from penetrating. He was definitely on his game today. The last few minutes ticked down and play was tough,,,,,however the period finally ended, with a final score of 6 – 0; giving Corbin and the team, our second shut out of the season.
What an exciting game of hockey for a Sunday morning! The team worked and communicated well together. There was much more passing and working together than ever before. Players were moving and “being where they needed to be”. It was nice to see them come together and rely on each other as the season goes on. Congratulations team; you all did a fantastic job!