Feb 21, 2019 | Derek Cherrey | 576 views
DOG FIGHT IN THE FIRST ROUND!!!
A busy end to the end of Family Day weekend saw the beginning of one heck of a playoff series between the BCH Ice Dogs and our BBMHA Crusaders. Both teams entered the post season on a bit of a slide, so nobody really new how or who would respond better to the tough, high energy game of playoff hockey.
Game 1 was Sunday night at 6 pm in Blyth. The BCH Ice Dogs stormed out to a 2-0 lead half way through the first half of the first period. The Crusaders looked lost. Looked nervous. But with 0.1 seconds left in the opening period Hot Rod Rodney Ansley scored to give our boys our boost heading into the second.
The second proved to be a little better for the Crusaders as Everett The Blyth Brawler scored 2 to pull the home squad ahead 3-2 by periods end. Youngster Lucas White had his best game of the season for himself, setting up an absolute beauty of a goal finished off by The Brawler. Both teams traded goals in the third to post a 4-3 victory for the locals. Aiden Hickey made some huge saves to preserve the win as the Crusaders as they just were not clicking on all cylinders. We will take the home ice win any time.
The very next night in Hensall the Crusaders once again hit the ice for game two. The Crusaders played ok, not great by any means. Aiden the Quiet One Hickey was in net once again and did not get much help from his teammates. Way to often were odd man rushes, breakaways, and straight up bad undisciplined play which in turn hung Hickey out to dry!! This is something that the coaching staff noted and addressed prior to game 3. The Crusaders lost 7-6 in O.T.
After a lengthy team meeting in Brussels on Wednesday night prior to the start of game three, the boys were ready. Some new systems drawn out on the whiteboard by Jaxon Bromley refocused the lads. They listened to their Assistant Head coach, friend, Jaxon and headed to the ice with fire in their eyes.
The coaching staff changed things up to help out the confidence of Hickey and to send a message to his teammates, by putting The Brawler Cherrey back between the pipes for the deciding game. The Crusaders finally showed up in all meanings of the word. They roared out to a 2-0 score by the end of the first period. The boys played disciplined, stayed the course, followed the game plan set out by the coaching staff and played there best game that they have played in a very long time. Hot Rod Ansley and Justin Case Fleet lead the way. Grabbed the team by the horns. Hot Rod with 5, Fleet with 3, Cherrey strong in net, great team defence all led to a very convincing 8-2 win in front of a full house in the Cold Barn in Brussels. So proud of the effort boys. You put the team first, did it for one another, and were rewarded for your efforts. Every single one of you did your job to perfection. Now off to the round robin second round.
Thank you to the fans for your support. You were loud, and helped lift us over the top. Much appreciated.
Coach Derek