The coaches
were not sure how the New Year would start after the team had given themselves
an early Christmas present winning the last game of 2015 and after an eleven
day break from hockey. The boys were
ready to play now that the excitement and treats of the holiday season were
behind them for another year. But how would the break from the rink affect the
teams level of play? There was only one way to find out!
As the puck hit the ice for the first time of 2016 it was easy to see the Blades meant business as they would push the puck forward on the first draw, gain possession and go down on a 2 on 1 putting the puck into the net, eight seconds into the game. All fired up, playing hard and sticking with the game plan the Blades would strike again three minutes later giving them a two goal lead. Kincardine would try hard to battle back but the constant pressure of the Blades and good positional play limited the chances and allowed the Blades goalie to be in the right place at the right time to make the save. Both teams would get chances throughout the rest of the period but neither goalie would allow a puck to get past them ending the period with the Blades leading 2-0.
Playing well and not letting up on the pressure the Blades would score on the first shift less than one minute into the second. Both teams continued to battle hard with the offence doing a great job fore-checking causing Kincardine to cough up the puck and generating great scoring chances only to be denied the net minder. The Blades defense also played well forcing the Kincardine offence to the outside giving the Blades goalie more time to make save after save. The period ended with the Blades leading 3-0.
Having had success not stopping for a flood between the second and third periods before the holiday season, the Blades would continue this trend as momentum was on their side. The third period saw the Blades continue to play their game, their way, pressuring hard on the puck, continuing to work on communication and not just throwing the puck way. Kincardine tried to mount offence but the Blades would stick to their guns and was able to turn them away until the final buzzer. Neither team would tally a goal in the third, and not from lack of effort or chances ending the game with the Blades winning 3-0 giving the Blades net minder his second ever career shut-out.
Great job by everyone, keep up the great effort and Happy New Year!!!!!
Point getters in the game were Brayden L., Jeffrey K., Cayden H., Shawn B., Kyle H. and Logan G.