Another must win was on tap Sunday to keep our Championship hopes alive as the Thunder played host to the high flying Collingwood1 team; a squad who had schooled us 10-4 in our first meeting a week ago.
Beating these giants from the West was going to be no small task
We were buoyed knowing our Captain Harry would be leading the charge this day having missed the first match-up due to illness,but then late news came that Ben and Chase were unable to play and the line-up was back in the blender.
With Magoo out for the season,our mission to upset C1 had become that much more difficult,but adversity is nothing new to our squad.
Coach Ian diagramed some new strategies for our now familiar foe,and we implored our boys to "seize the day"...these are moments you play for and will remember for years to come.
Collingwood got on the board first via a fluky bouncer with an asterisk.
Just as the C1 player began to shoot we heard a whistle and everyone sort of let up. When the puck went in the net we looked to the refs who signalled goal..they hadn't blown the play dead!
The ref acknowledged he too heard the whistle but it came from the crowd and would not take the goal back.
Frustrating for sure and then Collingwood pounced on our bad fortune with another quick marker to take a 2-0 lead.
We pumped the boys up..lots of hockey to play and let's stick with the plan
Colt had moved up to wing for only the second time this season and after a couple of shifts began to feel at home up the right side.
He was instrumental on our first goal scored by working hard down low allowing Owen to bang it home.
Colt was a welcome addition helping move pucks from our zone game long with quiet confidence and heads up passing...terrific job this day Colt 45!!
2-1 after 1
Second period saw Oro begin to take charge and there were great rushes from our D and hard forechecking up front. Collingwood's goalie was full marks for turning back some point blank chances including a glove save that was labelled by Harry on a breakaway.
But mid first Aidan was like a hungry pitbull on a t-bone to rip home the tying goal with big assists to Doogie and Owen.
Collingwood got into penalty trouble but we could not capitalize.
The boys played some controlled PP and had some great looks/ point shots,including a blast from Hayden that just missed top crossbar but no puck luck.
End of 2 knotted at twos
We knew a tie was not going to be enough on this day and implored the boys to go all out for the next goal
And what a beauty it was.
Flash had led the team down ice where Aidan charged into the corner to retrieve a puck and spun out finding Jacob alone in the slot who one timed it quickly home to a gigantic roar from the crowd.
Quick puck movement and finish on display..something our boys excel at.
But C1 dug in there heels and began to charge back.
Justin knew he would be tested this day like few others before and our battle hardened tender was simply unconscious in this game.
Last practice and prior to this game,we talked about tracking pucks and trusting reflexes to make the saves
Well Justin,you were never finer than this day
Mid game one of C1's best shooters had a clear cut breakaway and Justin stared him down and turned him back with unshakable confidence.
Game long there was labelled rubber propelled his way at speeds seldom seen in our league yet Justin's pads,blocker and glove were cat like in picking them off each and every time.
Said to Dad if you have ever played a better match,then I wish I had been there to witness it
In a game where standout performances were the rule, your's stood above all
Player of the game Justinator and one for the ages.
The clock ticked down and the Blackhawks began to force the play again
The D bent but didn't break and Justin was there every time a Blackhawk found room to shoot with great rebound control and freezes.
Hard backchecking was the main catalyst on this day,and there were several mentioned post game for their outstanding efforts
Jacob had another gutsy,all heart performance leaving everything on the ice..except his winning goal :)
Owen was skating full out game long be it up the wing or down the middle and forechecked and backchecked like it was his last game. Great playmaking with two huge apples too. Awesome job O!!
Not mentioned,but reminded to me by my Father post game was Aidan
He was propelling himself all over the ice like whirling dervish with creative passing and scoring opportunities aplenty
Aidan's team leading effort on backchecks are nothing new,so perhaps that's why it flew under my radar
A goal,two apples and a game to remember Roadrunner
And then there was Harry
Still feeling the effects of the flu,he also suffered a wrist injury in the first period.
We were quite concerned whether he should continue to play and he was in considerable pain the entire match
Well,nobody in the crowd would have known from his determined play.
With 20 plus seconds to go,he had just come off the ice dog tired and I reluctantly asked him if he had one more shift. "Ya ,sure" replied our Captain without thinking twice.
Up 3-2,goalie pulled there was a critical faceoff in our zone and I wanted him on the weak side wing.
Collingwood won the draw to the middle ice D and Harry didn't hesitate charging straight after him taking away the shooting lane. I think there was a half second delay for the C1D seeing this big form charging him down and that was enough for Harry to poke check the disc free,win possession and race down the ice with two Blackhawks doggedly chasing him. He shook them off and deposited the money in the bank
Game,set match.
These are but some of many superlative efforts on this day
The boys needed to win both matches this weekend against very difficult odds; yet they did just that.
Everybody chipped in and like the Phoenix, together we rose from the grey to find brighter heights.
We must continue to run the table,but have given ourselves a chance.
No matter what happens going forward, this is a game I will remember for life and all you boys should be so very,very proud
Phoenixes.
Giant Slayers.
One heck of a team
Final
Oro 4-2 over Collingwood 1