The boys had a busy, yet productive week. Their parents braved the
first winter storm of the year on Wednesday night to travel to Drayton
and meet up with the Defenders. It may have been the long, arduous
trip that had the boys come out rather flat in the first two periods.
Stellar goalkeeping by Kyle Prouse kept the boys in the game although
they found themselves down 3 – 0 at the end of two periods.
These boys never give up though and the comeback began in the middle of the third period when Alex Gettner scored with assists by Jamie Perrault and Lucas Sykes. This was quickly followed with a break-away attempt by Owain Sykes which left the puck on the line behind the goalie. In a heads-up play, Christian Pritchard raced in for the rebound and tipped the puck into the net. Now the boys were truly back in the game. When Noah Connelly scored six minutes later on an assist from Ryan Lynch the crowd jumped to their feet. We had tied it up!
It wasn’t over yet however and, despite constant pressure by the Sailor’s offense, Drayton scored on a break-away with only 47 seconds left in the game. Showing the fantastic spirit they have displayed all season the boys once again fought back. Their determined efforts paid off and after a mad offensive scramble in front of the Defender’s net, Noah Connelly assisted on a goal by Owain Sykes with only 16 seconds left! The game ended in a 4 – 4 tie but the amazing comeback helped keep everyone warm on the long drive home to Goderich.
Despite their late arrival home the night before, the boys showed up in positive spirits for their Thursday night game in Clinton against the BCH Ice Dogs. It was a tough battle with both teams displaying some great offense and defense. By the third period, thanks to some fantastic goal-tending at both ends of the ice, they were still dead-locked 0 – 0.
The parents were worried that the fast pace of the game would take a toll on our weary boys, but they proved what they were made of once again. Refusing to be drawn into some chippy play, they stuck to their game plan and positions and it paid off half-way through the 3rd period when Owain Sykes scored an unassisted goal. BCH tried in vain to get it back but Noah Connelly sealed their fate by scoring on a break-away late in the 3rd period. Hearty congratulations were piled on Noah Smith whose amazing work between the pipes resulted in his second shut-out of the season.
The boys will be practicing hard this weekend before taking a much needed breather prior to heading out to their second tournament of the year in Seaforth next weekend.