Dec 16, 2014 | Scott Bjaanes | 691 views
Another weekend of strong play
The team showed great character over the weekend with a win and a tie
The team was looking to continue with their strong play in the Bradford Blue and Gold tournament a week earlier and they didn't disappoint. Saturday we traveled to Elmvale looking to avenge an earlier loss. Elmvale and Oro are neck and neck in the standings and the boys knew they needed a strong performance. Both teams came out flying and the action was back and forth for most of the first period. We kept rolling 3 lines and 5 defence to get everyone into the game and it was obvious from the opening face off this was going to be a tight game.
Elmvale opened the scoring late in the first period, it took a excellent shot to beat Graydon B. Oro pushed right back as the sparkplug line of Keon S, Blake B and Ben B did everything they could to pull even but were unlucky and the period came to a close. The second period saw the back and forth action continue, there were plenty of chances at each end but both goalies were equal to the task and the score remained 1-0 Elmvale as the second period came to a close.
Before the start of the third period we had a brief team meeting at the bench, the boys knew we were 1 shot away from tying the score and we need to make a strong final push. Unfortunately Elmvale knew they need to add to their lead and scored 2 quick goals in the first minute of the period! It could have been easy to give up and coast through the rest of the game but our team was determined. Despite their best efforts, Elmvale capitalized again, 4-0 with less than 10 minutes to play! Led by their captain Calaen G, it was time for the Sparkplugs to give us the push we needed. Blake B used his speed to get behind the Elmvale defence and bury a beauty to get us on the board. 40 seconds later Davis K found himself in the slot with the puck and drilled it to the back of the net, the comeback was on. Elmvale was going to make it easy and they managed to put another one by Graydon B to make the lead 3 with less than 5 minutes to go. With a never give up attitude it was back to Blake B, Keon S and Ben B to regain the momentum and close the gap again. Not to be outdone, a determined Troy V pulled the team within 1 and 3 minutes to play with. Rolling the lines with short shifts we continued to push for the next goal when Will G picked up the puck inside the Elmvale end, moved to the slot and fired a wrist shot to the top corner with 61 seconds left.
As time counted down the boys pushed for the win, if only we had 1 more minute! Regardless, the character an never quit attitude was great to see.
Sunday we were in Coldwater for our first game against the Wildcats. Despite only 1 win on the season, we were cautious not to take them lightly. They won their previous game and were feeling good about their play as we took the ice. It was important for us to come out strong and make sure Coldwater had to play our game. Again the boys were up to the task, despite a few boys not feeling 100% everyone put in a strong effort. A balanced attack saw every line contribute and our defence, lead by Calaen G didn't let Coldwater get many good opportunities. Sam F and Jordan H were stalwarts on the blueline while both Alfie B and Owen L played strong 2 way games.
All 3 lines got on the score sheet with Brett G, Keith G and Brodie P playing well as a newly formed unit, both Brett G with a beautiful wrist shot and Keith G with a sweet backhand while falling down beat the Coldwater goalie. Keon S with a goal, Blake B with 2 goals and Ben B with a couple of helpers continued their strong play. Finally the line of Troy V, Will G and Davis contributed with a couple of goals themselves. The scoring was so balanced our goalie Graydon B even got in on the scoring with an assist on the opening goal.
With a final score of 8-2 it was a strong performance to say the least but we need to ready for the rematch this weekend as we play our first home game in Oro.