Clean Sweep
Submitted By jjohnston on Sat 03 10, 12
Our Atom AE Stars were hosting Lambton Shores for the third game of the series, looking for the sweep, and a birth in the Shamrock B finals. We were missing some key players, so we needed a full team effort to try and wrap this one up without a trip back to Thedford on Sunday.
This is a tough one to write up. We had a convincing 5-2 win, and the game was never really in doubt, but I found myself very frustrated at times behind the bench, as we were turning the puck over just inside our blue line, over-skating the puck, and at times just not trying too hard. It wasn't everybody, it wasn't every shift, but we were not playing as well as we had the previous few games. I asked the boys to all "step it up" a bit to make up for the missing players, and upon reviewing the scoresheet, every forward, and two out of four of the Dmen had at least one point in this game. I guess they did what I asked, so SHUT UP coach and enjoy the series win.
Coleton Robison-Sareh opened the scoring 3 minutes in when his pass out front banked in off the goalies pads, assisted by Liam Armstrong and Jackson Lees. Ethan Bradley tallied our second two minutes later on a low shot from the side of the net that trickled through the keeper's legs, assisted by Tyler Johnston and Lucas Glanville. I felt we were very fortunate to escape this period....SHUT UP COACH, we are up by two.
The second only saw one goal as Coleton got his second of the game, assisted by Talbot Carrie, who NOW may leave on vacation Tuesday, and Carter Stephens. I apologize Coleton, but I don't really remember the goal, I was probably yelling at Tyler for something (LOL). SHUT UP COACH, we're up by 3.
The boys did open the third on fire as Tyler Johnston took a pass from Alex Burgess and beat the defence man and the goalie with a nice hard shot farside. It took just 15 seconds to score again when Liam Armstrong banged in a rebound, assisted by Coleton and Jared Parkin, after a great forechecking shift in the Predator's zone. We gave up two late goals, which in hindsight meant nothing, as our Dmen were starting to tire after playing every other shift, all game long. Perhaps that is why I had a bitter-sweet taste in my mouth directly after the game, as we gave up the two late ones, which were fresh in my mind. SHUT UP COACH, we won 5-2, and are moving on to the final round.
All in all, the boys had a great series, and are full marks for the win. It seems we have been playing important hockey games for over a month now, and we are looking forwards to a fun day of hockey on Friday in a one day tournament in Plattsville. We are still short-handed, so there will plenty of ice time for everybody, and I promise not to get worked up behind the bench. I promise, I know I can do it! Great series boys!