Spilt Mini Series with Top West Grey Squad, News, Novice Rep, 2018-2019 (Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2018-2019 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Mar 05, 2019 | Derek Cherrey | 594 views
Spilt Mini Series with Top West Grey Squad
Round Robin home and home series started this past Week End as your BBMHA Crusader Novice Reps took on the undefeated powerhouse West Grey Warriors. The first game was played in a very frigid Arena up Ayton on Friday March 1st at 630 pm.

The game started with the Warriors putting us on our heels. The Crusaders were hemmed in their own end for most of the first period as the Crusaders looked timid and nervous against a much bigger opponent. I don't know what's in the water up there, but whatever it is, it works. Those lads were BIG!! If it were not for some exceptional goaltending by Everett The Blyth Brawler Cherrey, that game would have been out of hand real quick. The score at the end of the first period remained scoreless, only by Cherreys strong play and the grace of God.
After the much needed break between the first and second period, Coach Mike Ansley got them refocused and ready to play. Three second period goals by the Crusaders proved that the kids listened to Coach Mike. Getting his first ever playoff goal was Adrian Bo Dangles Egli, who opened the games scoring 45 seconds into the second frame. It was nice seeing the big fella get one, in his typical, driving to the net fashion. Bo Dangles has been quiet on the score sheet lately, not for lack of effort, but just bad luck. He got some luck there as a Warrior player helped him tuck one passed a surprised Warrior Goalie. That seemed to spark the Crusaders as the end to end action started. And when that happens with the Crusaders, good things happen. Using our speed is what we need to survive. Hot Rod Ansley fought through some brutal checking scoring a nifty goal set up by the always hard working Connor The Moosling Kellington. At the 4:30 mark of the second period with the score 3-1 for the Crusaders, the Warriors were handed a penalty shot as one of their players was pulled down on a clear cut break away. This set the stage for the leading scorer from Warriors against The Brawler in a showdown. The Brawler showed 5 whole and and the shooter went there. The Brawler squeezed the wickettes closed to keep it out of the back of the net, and preserving the 2-1 lead. Justin Case Fleet added and shorthanded beauty giving our boys the always scary, and as Don Cherry always says, the worst lead in hockey, 3-1 at the end of the second period.
Thirty five seconds into the third period the Warriors scored. Like Uncle Don said. The worst lead in hockey. The Warriors pushed hard, not wanting to give up their impeccable undefeated season. Again, the Crusaders were locked in their end for most of the third period. Again The Brawler Cherrey stood tall, turning aside what seemed to be a non stop barrage of shots from some unreal shooting players from the Warriors. Justin Case Fleet added another pivotal goal to extend our lead to 4-2 with just under 3 minutes to play. The Warriors pulled their goalie for the extra attacker. The onslot continued. Cherrey stood his ground, playing his best game in goal of the season. The buzzer sounded at the end of the period giving us the 4-2 victory and the Warriors first loss of the regular season and playoffs combined. No time to celebrate as the next game was early Saturday morning in Blyth at 9 am and the Warriors were coming to even the series.
Saturdays game started the same way as game one. The Warriors looked determined to even the series up and make a statement that their only loss of the season was a mistake. They jumped out to any early 2-0 lead only 3 minutes into the game, as the Crusaders looked tired. Spotting a team as good and as well coached as the Warriors a 2-0 lead that early in a game is a recipe for disaster. And that it was. The Crusaders made a game of it late, but just couldn't get it going. The final score was a very crucial 5-3 loss for the Crusaders. Not only did we tie the series at 1 but we tied in goals for and against, if the final tally of points comes down to the tie breaker. Wins, losses, head to head then goals for and against. One win a piece and 7 goals for and against posted by the two teams. Even Steven!!! Wow that was a lot of fun. Now we wait for Tuesday night up in Arthur against the Vipers who are awaiting our arrival at 6 pm.
This too will be a home and home battle with the second game on Wednesday March 6th at 630 in THE COLD BARN in Brussels. Come on out and cheer the hardest working team in BBMHA Minor Hockey on. We will and appreciate any help we can get. We have played the Vipers 4 times this season. 2 regular season games being split one game a piece and two tournament games, losing both heartbreakers in 1 goal losses. Safe to say we have been waiting for this 2 game series, as have they.
We will see what happens and are proud of our boys for making it to this point. Their hard work is appreciated by the coaches and as Coach Mike says, its now up to them. Lets work hard, have fun and see what happens.

Coach Derek