Nov 04, 2012 | Jason Featherstone | 745 views
A Gritty Win
Although there is no NHL, we still have Saturday night hockey. Kitchener vs the undefeated Cambridge Hawks at Activa arena. This would prove to be a good test for our boys who have worked really hard. They were ready for this game and they wanted to win. Cambridge came on strong in the first few minutes with a few shots and an early goal. With Carson down and out after the first save the rebound was out of his reach. He buckled down and shut the door for the remainder of the game. Our defense played another strong game keeping Cambridge at bay after the first goal. Our boys started to gain some momentum and turn things around.
Nathan won the hard hat worker of the game with some grit and determination. He battled hard in our end and in the neutral zone to take away time and space. Ben also had a good game backing up at the right times and making some good decisions with the puck. Scott was moving the puck around well in our own end but also kept the puck in the offensive zone at the right time. Timing is everything. Angelo seemed to be fighting the puck a little but still did his job well when he needed to got the job done. Our forwards never gave up, even when we got into some penalty trouble, they kept pushing and going for the tieing goal. It was a playoff type of atmosphere and the boys were starting to take the game to Cambridge. A goal finally came after Owen battled a bit for the puck close to the blue line. It popped out, Cole got it, put his head down and moved down the wing like a freight train. He got into the offensive zone and Maddux came in for support. They battled a bit and Maddux some how got a shot off that just squeeked past the goalie. The excitement was growing and the kids started to believe. Game was tied 1-1. At the start of the second period in our little huttle, Owen rallied the boys yelling out "We can do this!". "Yes we can", said coach Vince. Antonio came barreling down the left center and took a shot down low (like coach Kyle said before the game "Shoot for Rebounds"). Out pops a juicy rebound and Mark who flew down the wing picked it up and back handed the puck into the net. Wow, the excitement was electrifying. I'm sure it was a proud moment for his dad because we were definitely proud. The boys continued to play hard and not let up. Quinten, Jack M. and Logan had a good game defensively and offensively, creating chances in the offensive zone and coming close to getting another goal. After about 4 penalties in a row, the ref finally called one for Cambridge and then another one. 5 on 3 for Kitchener. Antonio, Aidan and Mark were on and they were buzzing. Aidan had the puck in the high slot and made a nice spin-o-rama move, then shot the puck and it went in. Yeeee Hawwwwww!!!!! 3-1 for the Rangers. Oh oh, wouldn't you know it. Kitchener gets into some penalty trouble but shuts the door. We had a quick little break and I showed the boys how I wanted them to set up defensively when we were short handed and they did it very well. Cambridge had trouble gaining our zone and when they did, we managed to get it out of our zone and down the ice. Another Win for the Kitchener Junior Rangers MD Red. All in all, a gritty game that showed the heart of these young boys. It shows with a little grit, hard work and determination we can do anything. Great game boys!!! Be proud of how you all played.
"Every great achievement was once considered impossible." Author Unknown
Written by: Coach Vince