O.M.H.A. SEMI-FINALS
The 'Air-Tech Mechanical' BANTAM REP team spent a warm, sunny weekend in Norwich where they played GAME 1 & 2 of their OMHA 'DD' Semi-Final Series.
The Norwich Knighthawks took full advantage of their home ice on Saturday, while our boys had to adjust their play to the short neutral zone and large end zones in the Norwich arena. The end zones weren't the only thing that was large though ... The Knighthawks had some big boys that liked to throw their weight around, and our boys had to adjust to that too.
The energy in the building with the loud air horns and blaring tunes, matched the rough, fast pace of play on the ice.
The home team dominated the 1st period and got on the board just 1:10 after the puck dropped.
Lawson Cumming kept his team in the game by making 18 saves that period, but Norwich added a power-play goal at 6:00 to end the period up by 2.
The REBELS seemed more comfortable in the 2nd and doubled their opponents shots, but the Norwich goalie was on his game and the period remained scoreless.
Austin McComb scored with a long, high shot that sailed in just over the goalie's shoulder at 12:54 in the 3rd, assists going to
Danny Rourke and
Carson Torrie, then Norwich added 2 more unanswered goals at 8:32 and 5:59 to end the game 4 - 1.
GAME 2 on Sunday afternoon was a much better game for the REBELS. The 1st period was scoreless, and we kept the pressure on their net in the 2nd. The boys had a goal called off midway through the period and in the confusion immediately following, Norwich turned right around and scored on a breakaway at 6:06.
Hunter Schultz buried the tying goal, assisted by
Calvin Stewart and
Jordan Beirnes at 12:30 in the 3rd, and
Mitch Faust picked up the puck from our 'D', flew down the ice and fired it high into the net at 10:00.
It was looking good for the boys as the clock ticked away, but a turnover in our end sent the puck flying at our net and ... the game was tied again at 1:43.
It was on to a 10 minute Overtime Period. The puck was carried up and down the ice, but neither team was able to get it past the awesome goal tenders ... so it remained at a 2 - 2 tie as the final buzzer sounded.
GAME 3 and 4 are scheduled in Chatsworth this Saturday Feb.25th at 7:00pm, and Sunday Feb.26th at 3:00pm ... but tonight, the boys are hosting Mount Forest for their 2nd W.O.A.A. Playdown game at 7:00pm. Come out and give these boys your support!!!
