Dec 03, 2017 | Lloyd Williams | 674 views
GOALIES MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
Its always an exciting game when there are lots of shots on net but its more exciting when the goalies go save for save as the momentum swings from end to end. Most of the first period was spent in the Caledonia end and their netminder was busy but was up to the task. The Hawks were skating fast and battling hard for pucks, shooting everything they could get loose on the net and Connor was rewarded for his hard work with a goal assisted by Adriano and Danielle.
Caledonia managed to get loose from our D late in the 1st period, got the puck deep and had good pressure on the Hawks through the end of the first period and Nolan was there to hold the lead for his team. Caledonia carried that pressure on in the 2nd period with a PP that started in the 1st but the Hagersville D got a chance to clear the puck and killed off the rest of the penalty efficiently. The momentum was starting to swing back to Hagersville with a few more shots on net but more penalty trouble midway through the second, this penalty was killed off with equal effort from the Defense and the ever calm Nolan Williams guarding the crease. Some great end to end play in the balance of the second period and both goalies making big saves on every opportunity and Hagersville clinging to that 1 goal lead going into the final period.
Hagersville got caught on a bad change early in the third and despite Caledonia being short handed they walked into the middle of the ice undefended and tied the game at 1. Caledonia continued to control the game through most of the third period and the Hagersville kids looked tired from the earlier penalty kills.... it is likely that 3 games in 5 nights might not have helped. With tired legs on the ice and no opportunity for a change a Caledonia player attacked at full speed, gained a stride and room to fire the puck for their second of the game and the lead. End to end play resumed after the midway mark of the third, the opposition looking for some insurance and Hagersville looking to get back into the game. The goalies exchange breakaway saves and keep the game at a one goal differential. With time winding down Nolan made a couple of game changing saves...... his reward....... Ryan wins the draw on the ensuing faceoff, Dean picks it up and rushes down the ice past the Caledonia defenders and makes a beautiful pass to the steaming Connor Mendes who puts it behind Caledonia's netminder to tie the game. With 46 seconds left in play the two teams battle for the puck but no more shots on net and for the second time this season these two times have split the points.
Upcoming games Tuesday December 5th in Glanbrook at 8, Wednesday at Home vs Caledonia 1 at 8 and Saturday vs the undefeated Caledonia 2 at 5