Nov 18, 2008 | Rob Gordon | 621 views
Road Trip to Monkton
Riding high on our undefeated streak we strode into Monkton for our first road game. As we got ready we were informed our game would be 10,15,15. A longer game than usual. With limited legs on the bench could we prevail -- we could only wait and see.
The first period started out slow. Both teams went back and forth with short shifts to see how well the other team handled the puck, pressure and to test the goalies. We were the first to apply pressure on our opponent. The third shift saw Gavin draw the puck back to Jeremy on the point. A quick pass to Jeff in the middle of the ice created a shooting lane that allowed Jeff to fire a shot towards the Monkton goalie. The save was made and Cam and Patrick swarmed the net for a rebound that did not materialize. The balance of the first was a see saw battle that forced us to rely on our goalie, Franklin, to keep us in there. We had our opportunities and they had theirs, but neither team could bulge the twine. 0 to 0 at the end of the first 10 minutes.
The second period would see 15 minutes on the board, longer than usual but we were prepared. Our practice preparation showed we had lots of life in our legs and we forced the play for the first 5 minutes of the period. Colton, Owen and Brett charged hard to the opposition net and forced the goalie to make several brilliant saves to keep us off the board. This high tempo created a hooking penalty for the opposition putting us on the power play. We attacked from every direction on our power play with Craig and Curtis firing multiple shots from the point at the Monkton goalie. We hopped on every rebound we could find but still could not find the back of the net. The team did not get frustrated but knew that soon their efforts would pay off. They were right. Shortly after the end of our power play Colton's line hit the ice and attacked the Monkton end. A scramble in the corner saw Brett fire a crisp pass to the point to an awaiting Craig. Owen parked himself in front of the net and Craig blasted a wrist shot towards the net. The screen was perfect as Craig's shot bulged the twine to put us up 1 to 0. We held the play in their end for the next few minutes sending many great passes from the corner to the slot. Gavin got several chances set up by Pat and Cam and vice versa -- only to be denied. Jeremy and Jeff held the blue-line solid to hem our opponents in their own end. Once again the defense combo of Curtis and Craig combined to crack the code. Colton drew the puck back to Craig who slipped a pass to his defense partner Curtis for a blast on net. The rebound came out to Owen in perfect position at the side of the net and he pounded home the puck to give us a 2 to 0 lead. Monkton only obtained one more shot on Franklin to end the second period with Blyth up 2 to 0.
The team was getting tired but still had some energy left to start the third period. The passing was tremendous in the third period, thus conserving as much energy as we could by forcing Monkton to chase the puck. Again their goalie kept them in the game as we could not find the back of the net. Gavin led his line throughout the third period on attack after attack. Patrick and Cameron benefitted from his speed by getting several chances at rebounds in front - only to be denied time after time. Colton's line kept up its superb passing efforts time after time and forced the play in the Monkton end. Each line mate took their turn in front of the net to receive crisp feeds from the corners for shot after shot, rebound after rebound only to be denied every time.
By the half way point in the third we were almost out of gas. The defense combo of C&C and J&J ( Curtis and Craig -- Jeremy and Jeff) teamed up to put up their defensive umbrella in front of Franklin for the balance of the game. Monkton could only penetrate the shield on a few occasions when we relied on the stellar goal keeping of Franklin.
The third period was long and tiring but the team refused to take an easy stride until they heard the final buzzer. Exhausted they looked up triumphantly at the score board to see their second victory of the year 2 to 0 over Monkton. The team then took what energy they had left to swarm Franklin and congratulate him on his shutout. Way to go Franklin.
The CARDIAC KIDS lead from start to finish to dominate the game and did not need their patented come from behind heroics. Way to go team, I am very proud of all of you for your hard work and determination this game. You all played your own personal best and deserved the shoutout victory.
Remember what the old coach says;
We skate with our knees -- BENT
We skate with our heads - UP
Who's puck is it ?? -- MY PUCK
But most important of all -- WE ARE HERE TO HAVE LOTS OF FUN !!!
Coach Rob