Feb 07, 2015 | telzinga | 1161 views
Let the Playoffs Begin
The South Bruce Atom Rep team has been busy with hockey.
The playoffs began with a 6 point series against a skilled Seaforth Stars team. South Bruce had faced Seaforth previously and was aware of their devious tricks. South Bruce were able to take the first two games with relative ease winning 6-3 and 8-2. Game 3 was a different story as the Seaforth team was determined to keep the series alive with an exciting back and forth game, finding South Bruce on the winning end of a 2-1 game and sweeping the series with 3 wins in 3 days. A great team effort by everyone with Ashlyne B., Tyson D., Dylan J., Zachary V., Nigel K., Jon E., Blake E., Ethan D., Gil S. and Noah W. all tallying points in this series.
Coming off a series sweep the team was on a high and thought they were prepared for a weekend in Forest as they participated in the International Silverstick Finals. The first game left the team somewhat shell shocked as they lost 7-0 to Lambton Shores. Game 2 saw the team pull themselves together as they led the game by one with only minutes to go but the Centre Hasting team was not ready to give up as they were able to tie it up forcing the game to overtime. It seemed as though the hockey gods were not on our side, as the opposing team was able to squeak the puck past our net minder to take the game 3 to 2. With the team still hungry for their first win the South Bruce team faced the Howard Huskies. What seemed like a more relaxed team, things started to come together as the passing game improved and determination to get a win was on everyone's agenda. The hard work and team effort awarded the South Bruce team with a 3-0 victory helping to restore the teams confidence. Once again a great team effort with Tyler H., Jon E., Noah W., Zach V., Gil S. and Nigel K. getting points.
"CONGRATULATIONS" to the South Bruce Bantam Rep team on their success at the International Silverstick Tournament!
After only one day of rest from Forest, the Atom Rep team was on to the next series of OMHA finals against a strong Blyth/Brussels team. Game one was on home turf in Mildmay, but the game got off to a rough start as the lines of communication were tangled up as the Refs were late, which may have played on the psyche of our team as they fell behind losing game 1: 4-0. With a few days to regroup before game 2 in Blyth the team had time to work on strategies to improve their game and it seemed to work as the team tied the series with a 2-1 victory. Game 3 would fall on a day that was already staged to be a great day, Super Bowl Sunday! The team traveled to Brussels looking to build on last games win but once again, delays may have been a factor as the ice resurfacer broke down while cleaning the ice before the big game delaying the start and once again saw the team fall behind 2 games to 1 with a 4-1 loss. With a two day rest before game 4 and another opportunity to work on some more team strategies the team was ready to go needing to win to stay alive on the quest for the OMHA championship. With the team fired up and ready to lay it all on the line the team played with passion, determination and discipline as some would say it was the best game to date rewarding the team with a 2-1 victory forcing a game 5. With no rest for the wicked, game 5 would go the next day back in Blyth. Hoping to build on the game from the previous day and be victorious, the team came out with sticks a-blazing with many great scoring opportunities. The Blyth net minder was not giving up without a fight making save after save. Blyth would strike first on what some would call a controversial goal as it appeared that one player was offside giving Blyth a 1 goal lead after 1. Not letting that get the better of the team, they continued to move the puck well getting lots of shot on goal. As the team continued to pressure they were able to break the ice and tie the game 5 minutes into the second. With the game tied at 1 after 2, the team would not let up and continued to apply pressure. Half way through the third the South Bruce team would jump on a loose puck in front of the Blyth net and get it across the line to take the lead. With two minutes to go in the game and the face off deep in the Blyth zone the South Bruce team would get an insurance goal to give the team a 3-1 lead. This would end up being the final score and advancing the South Bruce team to the quarter finals. Game 5 saw the South Bruce team continue to develop and play a game that was exciting to watch. Great goal tending by the South Bruce net minders played a pivotal roll in the teams success; Keep shutting the door! With such a tight series and low scoring games point getters were, Nigel K., Dylan J., Ethan D., Zach V., Noah W. and Jon E..
Way to go team, keep up the great work!