Mar 26, 2014 | goldfield | 1044 views
Fit to be Ty'ed- Game 2
The two Oro squads faced off once again Wednesday night for a crucial game 2.
A loss for our team would cut the series to a best of three and change the momentum.
It was Return of the Jedi as Aidan made his triumphant return from March Break determined to help lead his team to victory..and he made an excellent pre-game speech to his teammates.
We have asked the players to attempt public speaking in the dressing room this season,a daunting but important life skill beyond the game... especially when speaking to their peers. All our Captains and Owen have taken turns,and surprisingly they now enjoy it so much we often have to say "next game" ! Just another example of the character that we find in our dressing room.
So both teams were flying from the opening faceoff and this was a very competitive hockey game.
The first period saw superb goaltending at both ends,and Shorty picked up where he left off in Game 1 stopping chance after chance with his superb movement and battle.The Big O saw a lot more pucks this game too,and was once again there to hold us in. Owen showed quick reflexes to take away low ice on hard shots angling his pads to kick rebounds to the corner and devouring all loose pucks in the crease for whistles.
Cappy and Bo had many chances early on wraparounds and net drives but were left shaking their heads in disbelief. Mark too had been charging the net and winning the the crease but was unable to get his chances to tickle twine.
Finally,Aidan took a pass from Ty deep zone and weaved his way through traffic to deliver a backhand roofer glove side that came unexpected. Any tender will tell you a good backhand is the toughest shot in hockey to read/pick up visually and Aidan has used this weapon to fool many a tender all season. Great goal and 1-0 after one.
Second period saw Oro 2 continue with it's hard charging forecheck and determined backchecking...but our defense was solidly positioned to quell many rushes with equally determined backchecks from forwards.
On a PP chance we saw Fletch walk the blueline to hit Aidan on the half boards who did a backhand spin to Cappy in the slot for a one time tip that just slid by the post. Great passing on display!
Mid second period Ty again found Aidan from deep zone who flipped to Fletch and off he roared on a breakaway to face off with his old buddy. Shorty had won two previous point blank chances,but this time Fletch ripped high blocker with his patented wrister to give us a 2-0 advantage into the third period.
The final frame saw Oro 2 continue to press the action and Owen had to be sharp.
Aidan won a deep zone draw directly to Colt who immediately fed Ty with a perfect tape to tape pass who leaned into a point blast that just deflected wide. You don't see many teams able to execute this type of play from faceoff out in our league,and Colt's quick read and pass was especially beautiful...just like we practice but even more impressive when the pressure is on. Shortly thereafter they picked up assists on Aidan's second goal who raced up boardside, power cutting in sharply to drive the net and wrist a low shot post in. Just like we practiced buddy and 3-0.
Oro 2 immediately struck back as Ty S slipped in behind coverage to take a great pass from Cole for a sharp one timer far post. No quit in this team.
Lots of back and forth until finally on the PP Aidan won a draw at our blueline to Mark scrambling it to Fletch who stepped up and split the D for a breakaway. This time he went outside/inside deke and slid the puck just under Shorty's trapper who desperately followed it both ways but just missed the glove grab and we could start to relax.
Shortly after Mark and Colt fed Aidan deep zone and the Roadrunner flew the coup to duplicate a carbon copy backhand high glove for the hatty.
Late game Oro 2 on a 3-5 sent word that they will not go quietly into the night as Alex took a feed from Cole to go backhand far post. A determined goal that will buoy their spirits leading into Game three tomorrow.
Tyrus had one of his best games of the year in this match. In speaking to Karen recently about the kid's surprise, I recognized I hadn't done a cover article for my son....mea culpa time;
As most coach's children will tell you,we are toughest on our own. As a coach I believe in focussing on and accentuating the positives in every child's game but didn't offer my son the same benefit this season in pushing him to learn a new position.
After a while constructive criticism simply becomes criticism... and confidence soon suffers.
So about a month ago I decided to spend more one on one father/son time at the outdoor rinks and focus on the positives..and the predictable results in his game have followed since.
Ty was a force game two in both ends; rushing the puck with confidence, using his excellent first pass and hard clears to great effect,picking off the deep threat all night and using his strength and powerful frame to dominate puck battles. Fabulous effort son and a great year all while battling your first as a Type 1 Diabetic....a disease you've fought with lion like heart and without complaint nor self pity....ever.
I am so fortunate to have such a truly courageous and happy,loving son.
So tomorrow we are on the cusp of winning it all but this will be a hard fought contest requiring everything we can muster to accomplish our goal.
Can't wait to see how this storybook season unfolds.
Bring the Thunder Oro 1