Dec 22, 2014 | goldfield | 295 views
Connor Rushes in New Year with Oro on Top
Oro 1 had one more home on the range vs Elmvale 2 to complete before taking up permanent residency in the our new digs for 2015
First up, special team thanks to Hunter G for looking after our gates in 2014.
Really appreciate the effort big guy
Carlayne and Jo have been there too, as well as scorekeeping from Mike, Rhonda, Carly and Jo once again.
(hope I didn't miss anyone)
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Elmvale2 had recent success vs the tough Midland squad so pregame we told the boys to not let their guard down
The Thunder picked right up were they left off vs Stayner the day before with another full three periods of exceptional play
I won't deny it..we had concerns the way our team had fallen into bad habits at the mid way point.
Games/wins were coming too easy and we began to try and force plays that weren't there and even got away from our trademark puck sharing
These past two games were an example of how good this team can be when we play the game smart, hard and move the puck the way few can.
Doogie started the scoring parade with a high snap in tight from Harry and then a dozen seconds later made magic with Aidan from Owen
The pair broke in 2-1 off the center ice face off where Aidan feathered a gorgeous saucer to Eric who took it wide pulling the goaltender then laid it back over for Aidan to drill into the yawning cage
This one got some serious "ooohs" and WOWS" from the crowd..and bench!
Less than a minute later two of the Busy Bees performed a replica play.
Jacob hit Ty 2-0,whereby Ty froze the goalie with a pump fake and slid it over to Jacob who quickly banged it home
Two back to back examples of selfless playmaking that thrill coaches.
But it didn't end there
Oro was shorthanded but Maguire saw open ice and rushed from his zone up the left side.
He saw Doogie in full flight and hit him, who then put some sick moves on the tender to score a beauty.
Next up was Chaser who found himself on a breakaway courtesy of a great feed from Connor.
Chase is money in these situations and he made no mistake giving the team a stop the clock 5-0 lead mid second period.
Connor had a terrific game
He made many great passes like the one to Chase and at least two end to end rushes at appropriate times
He and Flash have found excellent chemistry in both ends and their different styles compliment one another perfectly.
They have been team leaders in sharing the puck D-D inside the offensive blueline creating many scoring chances with their hard releases.
While I always count on Connor for steady D and vocal leadership in the dressing room, it was nice to see his confidence growing to add offensive flair.
The skills are there, and today it all came together for Player of the Game honours
Great work Connorman !!
Fast Eddie was flying once again in this game with quick passes and confident rushes.
I grabbed one great pic of Eddie making a long rush with puck, hair flying in the wind and looking very intimidating to the retreating D.
Big Ben was doing typical yeoman like work; screening the tender,owning the Elmvale crease and battling hard whenever the puck was loose. Intensity!
Taz grabbed his second of the match on a nice three way passer from Ty to Chase over to Jacob for another in crease position push home.
In the third Chase picked up another from Flash and Doogie the final marker from Chase as we tried to slow down the scoring by making extra passes
Nobody did this better in the third than Chase who gave up several point blank scoring opportunities to lay passes over to his mates. There was one where he had the goalie beat backhand and pulled him wide to slide it backhand crease high for the open net tap in. Problem was,we had changed his winger on the fly and there was nobody home. When he returned to the bench I whispered that I understood what he was trying and was very impressed.
The defense was rock solid and the Towers of Power were shut down machines...I love watching Hayden and Magoo forcefully patrolling the d zone like in days gone by.
Colt45 went about his business with his trademark compete.
You really have to watch Colt closely,because I don't know if their is a greater competitor on this squad.
Nobody is harder on the puck without drawing penalties than this young man and chooses not to rush the puck often,realizing Job One is to stop the puck from going into our net...and takes this part of his responsibility the most serious. I'm sure Justin appreciates the attention to detail.
Speaking of our fab tender,he walked away from this one with league leading 9th shutout!
Not a huge workout but had to make some nice stops all the same when Elmvale found their chances.
Speaking of stats,here is where Oro 1 finds itself at the 3/4 pole going into the New Year vs the entire league;
Best winning percentage; .933 (and no losses)
Best GF%; .885
Best GAA; 0.93 (incredible..congrats Justin and Defense)
These are just numbers but an excellent reflection of our team's successes earned to date
We will be challenged even more going forward and our mettle tested,but for now just
soak it all in and be proud of yourselves
I know we as a coaching staff are all very proud of you
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of the fine people that make up our hockey family of 2014/15
Final;
Oro- 9 Elmvale2 -0