NOVICE REP CLOSE OUT ROUND 1, News, Novice Rep, 2014-2015 (Oro Thunder Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2014-2015 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Feb 08, 2015 | cemerton | 1010 views
NOVICE REP CLOSE OUT ROUND 1
January 27, 2015
Game 2- Oro vs. Collingwood, 8-2 ORO  

Tuesday, January 27th had the Thunder back on the ice for Game 2 of our OMHA series with Collingwood.  Coaches and parents were all curious to see how the team would respond in their first game since the Silver Stick.

As expected, the team came out a little flat and struggled to find their game.  The first period came to a close without a puck bulging the twine at either end.

 

To open the second, one of our team leaders stepped up to put the visitors on the scoreboard.  Logan made a great read and intercepted a cross ice pass in the neutral zone.  With his long, explosive strides he quickly found himself alone and with time to deliver his devastating wrist shot.  The outcome was inevitable!  1-0 Thunder!

 

Two shifts later Caden decided to take a turn dazzling the crowd as he took off on a patented rush deking left and right with great ease.  As he approached the Collingwood net, he pulled the goalie out of position and easily slid goal #2 into the cage.

 

A minute later Caden found himself in the slot where he fired a laser beam at the Collingwood tender.  This time Caden was foiled by a great save.  Due to the velocity of the shot, the goalie was unable to control the rebound.  Like a flash of lightning, Sammy attacked the net looking to put the Thunder up another goal.  Sam’s soft hands quickly controlled the rebound and slid it over the goal line!

 

Before the period closed the Blackhawks showed great determination and drive and sniped 2 goals of their own.  As the buzzer sounded on period 2, the Thunder found themselves ahead by a single goal.

 

The extended time in the third period has been kind to the Thunder all year and we would need a solid 3rd if we hoped to notch another win in this series.

 

Sensing an opportunity to tie the series at 1, Collingwood came out flying and quickly found themselves on a breakaway.  As the Collingwood player moved closer, our goalie moved to the top of his crease to challenge his foe.  The sign of a great goalie is making saves at key moments in games and I feel we have the absolute best at this!  Jensen was poised, calm, and read his attacker perfectly.  He made a very difficult glove save look routine.  This key save energized a very sluggish team and forced the offensive flood gates open.  Over the next seven minutes the Thunder hammered home 5 goals to take full control of Game 2.  The offence was spread out amongst all players.  Devin, Jack, Noal and Caden found themselves in prime scoring positions and would not be denied.  Special mention goes to Owen, Nick, Wesley and Taylor for registering multiple assists during the offensive outburst.  As we closed things out on Game 2, we must pay homage to Jensen for turning things around for us.  Great job, Jensen!

 

As we returned home the team had four days to rest and practice to prepare to close Collingwood out.

 

Saturday, January 31

Game 3- Oro vs. Collingwood, 4-0 ORO

 

With four days rest and a good practice under their belt, the team was prepared and excited to try to close out their first round series with Collingwood.

 

Coaches prepared the players to be ready for Collingwood’s best game of the series as they were on the brink of elimination.  The kids were excited and ready to go and provided the home fans with some early excitement.

 

The first line dominated the Blackhawks and pinned them in their own zone.  The excitement created by the first shift energized the next line so much that 20 seconds into their shift Sam sent Caden in alone who made no mistake tucking a backhand under the bar sending the home side into a tizzy.

 

The momentum continued shift after shift.  If not for the stellar net-minding of the Collingwood goalie, the score could have been much higher.

 

As time ticked away, coaches encouraged the team to keep working hard and good things would happen.  With 3 minutes left, Sam and Taylor hooked up on a great scoring play.  Sammy started things with a tremendous forecheck.  His tenacious rush led to a turnover.  As he gobbled up the loose puck, Sam whirled around and delivered a perfect pass to Taylor in the slot.  Without hesitation, Taylor delivered an absolute bullet to the top corner giving the Thunder a little more breathing room.

 

The series clincher in this coach’s opinion came with mere seconds left in the first.  Noal, Devin and Jack were hungry for the puck in Collingwood’s end.  Each player took turns ripping a shot at the net only to have it turned away.  Finally, the trio would not be denied.  Noal, with great puck pursuit, fed Devin who unleashed a quick one timer.  The Hawk goalie made a great save, only to have Jack swoop in and pound the third goal home with 20 seconds remaining, putting the Thunder up 3 at the end of one.

 

As the teams huddled between periods, the kids were encouraged to keep pressuring the Blackhawks and not allow them back in the game. 

 

Early in the second, Noal and Jack connected like seasoned veterans to push the Thunder lead to 4!  This would conclude the offence for today but allowed our boys on the back end to shine.  Logan was rock solid as always, contributing at both ends of the rink.  Owen’s determination and enthusiasm were once again on full display.  He continually shut down Collingwood attacks, quickly gaining possession of the puck and moving it smartly to our speedy forwards.  Nicky was Mr. Dependable again today, leading the way shift after shift.  A highlight today was watching Nick blaze a trail up ice on an offensive rush.  Nick- keep exploring that side of your game!  You have all the skills to be a great offensive D-Man! 

 

Although we had a successful day today, we were missing a key teammate who has been instrumental in helping our team get to this point.  Wesley- we hope you are feeling better soon and we are looking forward to having our blue-line tower of strength back in the line-up!

 

Finally, a big shout out to our keeper of the cage:  Jensen.  He was maybe not overworked today, but was always focused and ready to turn aside any rubber that came his way.

 

As the final buzzer sounded on a 4-0 victory and a series win, the boys celebrated their accomplishment, but also took the time to shake hands and congratulate a very classy Collingwood team. 

 

Our arch rival from Midland awaits us in the second round.  The team will have to be at our best every second of every game if we hope to have continued success...and I believe they will!

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