Oro vs. Midland: 2-2, Tie
Friday night the Thunder
were in Midland to face the Midland Centennials in a showdown for first place
in the league standings. The team worked
extremely hard during practice earlier in the week to prepare themselves to face
the talented team from Midland. As the
puck was dropped it was evident both teams were prepared to play and knew what
was at stake. Every inch of ice was
contested and battled for.
Mid-way through the first a talented Midland forward managed to slip through the stingy Oro “D” to open the scoring on a beautiful deke. The visiting team showed great character on the very next shift as Noal made a great outlet pass to Caden who streaked down the left wing. With two Midland defenders bearing down on him, Caden fired a shot at the Midland goal. With the Midland goalie unable to control the rebound, Sammy streaked across the ice like a bolt of lightning to bulge the twine and tie the score at one.
The first would finish with both teams battling to take the lead.
As the second opened, both teams fought hard to put the next goal on the board. Both teams mounted rushes only to be broken up by rock-solid defensemen on both sides. Midland once again was able to take the lead on a lucky goal. As players battled for a loose puck, the puck was flipped into the air. With confusion and players battling for a position in front of the Oro net, the puck bounced into the net off a player’s head to give the Centennials a lead.
Thunder players continued to battle hard to tie things up once again. Logan picked up a loose puck in his own end and led a great rush up ice. Quickly running out of space, he forced the puck deep into the Midland end. Taylor and Jack took up the charge and led a great forecheck. The tremendous pressure they created forced a turnover. Logan made a quick pass to Devin who performed a little magic to create some space and let a high wrister go that found the back of the cage and tied the affair again!
With 15 minutes on the scoreboard the team stared each other down at the face-off circle determined to take the lead. The third period was a physical period and led to several Oro players sitting in the “sin bin”. Great kudos to the boys as they locked things down on the penalty kill. Wesley, Owen, Nick and Logan controlled the play in our own end and forced talented Midland forwards to the outside to negate good scoring chances. Special mention goes to Devin and Caden who won key face-offs so our pucks could be iced. Our wingers, Taylor, Sam, Noal and Jack battled ferociously on the boards for loose pucks and were able to send them down the ice. With half the period in short-handed situations, the team was only able to generate a few good scoring chances. Unfortunately they were turned aside by a strong Midland goalie. As time ticked away on the final period, the highlight of this game and maybe the season so far, was about to unfold.
With five seconds remaining in the period and the puck on the Thunder blue line, several players from each team converged on the loose puck. When the dust settled, numerous players were strewn across the ice, but most importantly, one Midland attacker found himself in all alone. The final seconds seemed to last a lifetime. When Jensen realized what was happening, he skated to the top of his crease to challenge his foe and send him a message that “tonight would NOT be your night”!! With perfect positioning, great athleticism and technique, Jensen closed the game out with a highlight save and preserve a 2-2 tie! This coach had no doubt you were up to the challenge!
As the buzzer sounded, the coaching staffs from both sides had to be happy with their team’s effort tonight! Great game!