It was all smiles in the dressing room tonight, as our team
welcomed back Jaden and Jack to our Bantam LL3 team, each having been away for
most of the first half of our season due to injuries. Their absence was felt by our team on every game
that they couldn’t lace up and play. Although,
Jaden has missed out on more than half of our games he is our 3rd
top points player, while Jack with only 7 games under his belt has 2 goals in
this season.
These two players were just raring to go tonight when they hit the ice for their first game back. The way they played tonight, you wouldn’t have known that they have been out due to injuries since the end of November. It was as if they were oozing adrenaline and you couldn’t hold them back, that was until they each earned their first penalty of the second half of the season.
Minutes before game time tonight, we as coaches were reviewing our lines; unfortunately, with a last minute notice about Liam becoming unavailable for tonight’s game left us wondering what the best option of doing with 11 skaters and a goalie. Initially, we tried running two forward lines with one additional forward who would sub through each of the lines and have two sets of defensive lines; however, this soon became difficult as penalties unfolded for our team. To simplify the lines for players and coaches we ended up having 5 defenceman and forming two forward lines, which was more manageable.
Just before leading the players out onto the ice, I reminded them of this same team that we last played, when we were only 6 skaters and a goalie, how well we played against them and tonight with the added players that we can compete better against them. The coaching staff encouraged them to make those brilliant passes that they are known for, which has earned them proper wins, and to shoot at the opposing net at every chance they can get.
After a segmented warm up, that led our players back into the change room for a quick jersey change, to not match our opponents, the team returned for a last minute plan of attack huddle, with our key instruction to have our defence set up long passes to our awaiting forwards with the hope of breakaways. This tactic played out well for our team all evening with multiple set up breakaways that were credited for a number of our goals.
Spencer delivered the first goal of the game with an assist from James and Hayden to put us in the lead for the first time in the first period. Our lead quickly ended in the second period when the Leafs 2 blew in with a goal, of their own, in the opening of the second period. The score remained tied until the third period, when defenceman Owen sent up the puck to Jaden who rushed in on the Langton goalie and had a strong shot on net, that the goalie was unable to hold on to; fortunately, Fletcher was there to pounce on the rebound and earn his fourth goal of the season.
This play regained our lead and minutes later Jaden returned in his quest to return to the scoring sheet with a goal that was assisted by Ryan and Jackson. Our lead at this point of the game was a 2 goal differential, but was this going to be enough to secure a win?
Langton made that a loaded question as their team scored a second goal in the night with more than 5 minutes remaining in the 3rd period, diminishing the lead to 3-2. Realizing the urgency of the situation, our Wolfpack dug even deeper, seconds later and set up a goal originated from Oscar to Hayden to Spencer, scoring his second goal of the night. Langton clearly was not giving up yet, as they returned a minute later with a goal of their own, even with the final time running out, as a last attempt to tie the game they pulled their goalie. This strategy ended up working to our Wolfpack advantage as Ian put in an empty net goal, that was assisted by Jaden and Evan.
Overall, this was a fantastic game to watch and props to both goalies for playing an outstanding game, each standing in front of some hard shots and enduring shots to their helmets.
Congratulations LL3 on a great start to the second half of the season, keep up the great work!
Next stop ... our overnight hockey tournament in Wainfleet where our team will be facing Point Edward and Lambton, among other teams as we will soon find out as they tournament progresses.