Playoff time brings the best hockey of the season. With 2 games on the schedule this weekend there was a buzz in the dressing room as well as few nerves. That was quickly shaken off when they squared off with the Lucknow Sepoys.
Fortunately we were able to travel there Saturday as the roads opened during our drive.
A new team, big ice, longer periods and a shorter bench were all obstacles they had to overcome.
The scoreboard remained 0-0 until the 6 minute mark of the second when a sepoy broke loose and shot top corner. McCarthy who was goaltending couldn't defend that shot!
Many shots were blocked by the rebels defense until the 3 minute mark of the third when the puck deflected off a player in front of the net and changed direction. Lots of pressure by the rebels but they were denied a goal in this one. Next time boys. 0-2 was the final.
Back home to face the Saugeen Storm 3 who finished third in the regular league standings. This game started out fast paced end to end action. Dylan Harris defended the net today and looked sharp. The storm struck first 5min left in the first.
The Rebels owned the second period, which hasn't been the case this season. 3 goals in 2 minutes. A shot from the point by Jeffery Rodgers found Cody Cook who directed the disc towards the back of the net. Two puck drops later, Cook wins the draw in our end and weaves his way through the storm. He took it in on a slight break missing the net, his line mates Colton Klages and Conner Thede kept the pressure on and Cook finished what he started by hammering in a rebound. Now all the rebels wanted a piece of the action, next line came in and pushed the puck ahead Easton Croft took a shot that deflected of the their defense and on to Sasha McMurray's stick, where he one timed it past the goaltender.
The celebration didn't last to long as the Storm responded back. Owen Sheehan took the puck in alone and shot five hole making it 3-2.
Rebels went into the third up one. Storm managed to get some space and some net and tied up the game.
End to end action resulted 3-3 in regulation which sent this one into sudden victory! In the first shift of overtime Croft wristed one that knuckled the goalie but the puck landed by the goal line with no one near to knock it in. Dylan had to be sharp and many defensive plays by Croft and his defenseman denied their (much taller) puck carriers from getting a clear lane to the net. 10min of sudden victory favored both teams with a 3-3 tie. Thanks for the entertainment Rebels!
Next Play off Game is this Wednesday at 7pm against the 2nd place Saugeen Shores 4. Lets pack the house and support our kids.