Oro was in Flesherton late Wednesday evening for the first of it's A division round robin play and came away with a confident and composed 8-1 victory.
It's always difficult facing an opponent for the first time,so going into this game we were curious about the team from the West with the solid record.Down three players,we had to adjust the line-up and play some d on wing and they did a very good job.
We asked our team to simply focus on our game with speed and fast puck moving and we came out flying.
Cappy led the scoring parade early wiring a rocket top glove on a feed from Zack ..great start.
Flesherton,however, quickly tied things up on a goal mouth scramble which Owen had no chance on.
Late first period came a moment we have waited for and predicted last half of the season. Evy has had so many chances to fire his first of late and would have had many were it not for a combination of bad luck and good goaltending.
This time he would not be deterred.
Fletch hit Evy in the slot and he wasted no time drilling a low ice blocker side seeing eye missile.
This would turn out to be the game winner,and the crowd erupted in joy.
Fletch asked the ref for the puck and retrieved it for his teammate...very thoughtful Jacob.
Craner looked at it like,"no biggy,I'll get more" And with his improved skating, hustle and net drive as seen all season...he will.
Congrats Craner on a three point game, the big winner... and for lifting us all up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47dtFZ8CFo8
Fletch buried a marker at period's end and we went to the second up 3-1.
The game was chippy from puck drop but got increasingly so starting the second. We rolled out our first powerplay and after many chances Aidan bulged the twine from Evan and Cappy
The Big O
made two fabulous breakaway stops this game,the best being an inverted V pad save and the crowd let him know with a loud tribute.
Aidan continued to lead the team through the middle stanza,holding the puck when appropriate and passing off to others open with mindful creativity. The Roadrunner has had many spectacular games this season,but this was the smartest I've seen you play.
Aidan pulled off the natural hatty in the second with helpers from Evan again,Cappy and Caelan.
Iceman had a very poised, responsible game throughout and nice to see him rewarded with the apple.
Fletch rounded out the scoring in the late second and third with help from Cappy
The game sadly had decended into a dangerous affair..really starting from early on but getting increasingly worse each period.We suffered numerous injuries from recklessly agressive stick swinging, hits and trips and while the refs called 5 minors, this game was not safe nor controlled effectively by officials.
We asked the team to dump the puck and protect themselves in the third and NOT retaliate with sticks or punches.
They did themselves proud and finished the game with class, honour and a huge victory to start the playoffs.
This team keeps finding new ways to impress us all.. they are fine young boys and girls.
Thanks Thunder.