Oh the joy of hockey during the March Break! Normally we are digging out of our igloos and taking the sled dogs into work. Our Hockey offspring are focused and tough after a winter of ice and brutally cold temperatures…I guess this is global warming is distracting this time of year…
Last night's game in the Oro Thunder Dome was underway at 7:30 PM and Oro was playing host to the fast skating Flesherton Peewee team. Flesherton was coming off a close loss in their home barn and was intent on seeking some revenge on the Boomers!
Flesherton started the first period ready to go and were moving the puck around well. The Thunder were still not quite on the ice yet but were holding Flesherton at bay. Logan was able to break free for a couple chances in Flesherton’s end but the Flesherton goalie has been drinking the Ben Cool-Aid and no goals would be allowed. Greg is keeping on the puck and trying to hit his line mates with a pass. Another explosive burst and Logan was once again shut down by a beauty of a glove save from the Flesherton net minder. This series is proving to be a goaltending battle. Ben is equal to the task and is shutting the door against all Flesherton’s advances.
The first period ended scoreless with both goalies quickly bricking up their creases for the start of the second period.
The Second period started off like the first and Flesherton kept the pressure on. Oro was still trying to start that engine and get things rolling. At 8:32 Flesherton ripped one in on Ben and as the puck was seeking the line Daniel got a stick on it and popped the visitor’s goal bubble. This close call put some desperation back into the Boomers and things started to pick up. Ben was playing his pants off, stopping shot after shot as the Flesherton machine was very well oiled for this match-up. Justin was playing very well digging the puck out off the boards and keeping the play moving. At 3:42 in the second the miracle happened…After shutting down and battling through the assault Flesherton was throwing at him, Ben riffled the puck over to Logan for the break away ! Logan descended upon the Flesherton goalie with every ounce of defiance he had and KABAM! This time he would not be denied…The Thunder are up 1-0! The crowd is nuts (typical for these last couple series) and Ben gets an assist!!! The second period closes with the Boomers up 1-0 but Flesherton is playing for their lives…
Flesherton starts the third flying and Oro is not playing the body and keeping Flesherton’s speed down. Flesherton is pressing hard and putting on a clinic for the Oro team. Nick is on his game and keeping Flesherton to the outside, Justin is moving the puck well and digging in the corners. Zack and Quinn are trying to keep some pressure up front with Trent and Daniel. A big welcome back to Josh; who is also doing his best to get something going. Flesherton, however, is still the faster team. In the confusion, Shaunce sends the puck back to Ben, but The Wall just bats it away like an annoying fly. (I think Ben is allergic to rubber? He seems to keep that puck at a distance…) The Thunder are losing pace with the Flesherton team and Elora and Ben stave off a 2 on one. Flesherton forces a turnover in the defensive zone and with 4:08 left in the third they tie it up. Oro is still struggling to clear the zone and another turn over at 2:14 ends up in the back of the net. Flesherton has turned the momentum in the game, however, the brave Boomers are not going down without a fight!
At 1:37 Flesherton calls a time out to probably rest the players for the big shut down. After another shift with no scoring the Oro Coach pulls The Wall and goes for the Hail Mary! Oro explodes for the last minute of play and pushes hard for the tying goal to force overtime. With the extra man on the ice Oro is coming close, Flesherton is resisting, the Time Keeper is befuddled with excitement and the game is blown dead with a few seconds left on the clock…The Boomers leave the ice with the series now tied 1-1 as the Flesherton team wins this one 2-1.
The loss may be hard to take for all you Thunder fans out there, but the good news: the kids kept the fight going at the end! The series is now tied 1-1 and the Boomers have been there and done that!
Next Game is Sunday at 11:00 am on ORO ice and there is a practice at 9:00 am Saturday to shake out the cob webs and get some plays going!
Go Oro Thunder Peewee 1 Go!! You guys Rock!!!
Brent Hornick
Chief Engineer, CCGS Samuel Risley