Moving On!, News, Midget Rep, U18 2006/2007/2008, 2018-2019 (TCDMHA)

This Team is part of the 2018-2019 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Jan 21, 2019 | CherylAnn Golem | 421 views
Moving On!
The Township of Chatsworth and District, Moggie Valley Timber Inc., Midget Rep Rebels remained undefeated in 2019 as they eliminated the Central Perth Predators from OMHA play in a nail-biter on Sunday in Markdale.

Despite positive outcomes for the Rebels in the first 2 games of this series, the Rebels have struggled with playing hard at both ends of the ice and with taking bad penalties.  Game 3 of the series started out fast with high energy, end to end play and quick changes on the fly with no whistles.  Rebels seemed to have really stepped up their game as the whole team was skating hard in both directions and their own zone coverage was excellent.  The few missteps were quickly covered by goalie Lawson Cumming as he stopped the Predators cold and gobbled up rebounds leaving nothing for the circling Predators.
It looked like the Rebels had shored up all the holes in their game play and that they were finally living up to their potential.  That feeling was short lived though as the bad penalties quickly stopped the flow of the game and turned the tide in favour of the Preds.  The Rebels eventually found themselves attempting to kill off penalties 5 on 3 and the Predators capitalized and took the lead 1 - 0.
The Predators lead stood for the latter half of the first and into the second.  Rebels pushed hard to score and made some excellent plays.  Unfortunately, they couldn't`t seem to put the puck in the net.  For the most part, the Rebels had shored up the blue line and were allowing fewer break outs by the Preds and when they did happen the team reacted as a defensive unit and everyone put all their energy into shutting down the Preds offense.
Rebels persistence paid off as they battled hard in Central Perth territory and the puck came out to Mason Hanna.  Hanna blasted the puck towards the net, and, with a perfect deflection off the Preds defense-man, the puck sailed by the Predator net-minder and evened the score at one all.  A minute later, Rebels again were in control of the puck and were exhibiting excellent passing as the puck criss-crossed the Central Perth zone.  Finally, Austin McComb threw it to the corner down behind the goal line and Wyatt Golem banged it out to Brandon Stewart who made no mistake and one-timed it into the Preds net to give the Rebels the lead with 10 minutes left in the second period.
The play continued end to end.  If the net had been 2 inches higher, the Rebels would have had a dozen goals as they rang the cross bar and skimmed the top of the net with shot after shot but Rebels couldn't`t add to the score.  Predators, however, did manage to sneak one into the Rebel goal as a bad change just after a long, tough penalty kill led to a pile up in the Rebel crease and the puck crept over the goal line. 
The period ended with the score even at 2.  Coming out in the third, the Rebels were letting the Preds beat them to the puck and when Rebels did get control the were throwing the puck away over and over.  Several shifts had the forward line rushing into Predator territory and then losing the puck and slowly coasting back toward the Rebel end rather than hustling back and back-checking (but the still had plenty of energy to go full speed on the next rush into the Preds end.)  The coverage in the Rebels zone also started to show some cracks as there were frequently one or two Preds able to slip away from their man.  Central Perth took advantage of these lapses and, with just over 11 minutes left in the game, grabbed the lead 3 - 2.
Despite their struggles, the Rebels continued to push as the physical play on the ice became more punishing.  Some over-lapping penalties on both sides led to a brief 5 on 3 for the Rebels.  TCD capitalized when Mitch Stevens scored (assist to Brandon Stewart) to tie things up at 3.  Off the face-off, Hunter Schultz to Stewart who buries it to give the Rebels the lead on goals 8 seconds apart.
With just over 5 minutes left in the game, Jordan Beirnes blasts one by the Preds. netminder to give the Rebels an insurance goal.  Turns out to be insurance they needed as the Predators scored less than a minute later to cut the lead to 1.
Rebels hung on to win the game 5 - 4 and to take the series in 3 straight games.  Rebels have to wait to see who they will face in the next round of OMHA play.  Let`s hope the Rebels can bring good 2 way hockey and no senseless penalties into the next series.  Go Rebels Go!!!

 
Sponsors
Moggie Valley Timber
Established in 1997, Moggie Valley Timber Inc. is a lumber wholesaler and retailer located in Holland Centre, Grey County, Ontario. We purchase standing timber and do custom planning and sawing. (519) 794-0018