Atom LL Home and Season Opener, News, Atom LL, U11, 2008-2009 (Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2008-2009 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Oct 21, 2008 | Rob Gordon | 582 views
Atom LL Home and Season Opener
An excited group of players took to the ice to begin another fun season of hockey.  The stands were full, an electricity filled the air, and we were set to go.  The puck dropped and the season began.

The face-off was won by the Bulldogs and we controlled the puck in the Listowel end for the next 3 shifts.  The Listowel goalie was peppered by a multitude of shots without success.  We had them on their heels and things were looking good.  Suddenly Listowel grabbed a loose puck at center and were off on a breakaway.  Their player put a slick move on our goalie but Franklin would have none of it and stoned him to keep the score tied at zero.

We began the second period very confident and controlled the play again for the first 2 shifts.  Colton grabbed a loose puck in the corner during this stretch and fed a nice pass to Cameron in front.  Cam was in great position to score but was denied.  At the mid point of the second we found ourselves pinned in our own end.  The scramble saw Listowel grab a loose puck and send a blast to the back of our net.  One nothing for Listowel. 

After some back and forth play we again saw a scramble in our own end, Franklin was under seige and made several big saves, with Franklin down the Listowel player grabbed the loose puck and flipped one to the top shelf to increase their lead to 2 to 0.  The second ended up with your Bulldogs down by 2.

We were down on the scoreboard but not on the bench.  With much encouragement from the coaching staff the players were upbeat and kept on trying.  The effort paid off.  With only one minute gone in the third, Patrick grabbed a nice pass from Curtis and strode in over the Listowel blue-line.  He reached the left face-off dot and fired a hard low shot that beat the Listowel goalie to bulge the twine.  We were on the board and only down by one.

With our confidence now at it highest point we relentlessly attacked the Listowel team.  We put up an iron curtain in front of Franklin who made several long distance saves but was not put to the test in the third.  Curtis, Jeremy, Craig and Gavin put forth their best efforts and would not allow Listowel close to their goalie for any scoring chances.  Seeing this our forwards were inspired and attacked relentlessly for the balance of the game.

Knowing that their efforts would be rewarded we attacked in the Listowel end with only 2 minutes remaining.  As time ticked away Cam sent a pass to Colton, who fired a wicked shot at the net.  The shot was denied but a juicy rebound sat in front of the crease.  Owen saw his opportunity and sprang into action screaming in from his wing position he grabbed the loose puck and fired it over a down and out golie to tie up the game.

A shift change, momentum on our side, and an eager line went on the ice.  Jeff won the face-off and fired a pass to Brett.  Brett carried the puck over the opponent's blue line and sent a hard shot at the net.  With Jeff and Pat charging hard towards the net, Pat found the loose puck first and slammed the rebound into the back of the net.  It only took 4 seconds and we had the lead.

The team worked hard from the very first drop of the puck right to the last buzzer.  When we looked at the scoreboard at the end we saw a 3 to 2 victory for the Bulldogs.  The excited group congratulated their goalie and each other and went to the dressing room victorious.  This was a hard fought victory for the Atom LL Bulldogs.  Their heart and determination showed clearly on the ice and paid off in the win column.  The coaching staff is very proud of their never give up attitude and eagerness to listen to instruction on the bench. Way to go guys.

And as the coach always says...........
Skate with your knees --- BENT
Skate with your head -- UP
That is MY puck
But most important of all --  We are here to have lots of  FUN !!

Coach Rob.