Mar 12, 2019 | CherylAnn Golem | 930 views
Thanks for the Memories
The Township of Chatsworth and District, Moggie Valley Timber Inc., Midget Rep Rebels played their final game of the 2018-2019 year in Saugeen Shores. The Storm were in a must win situation in order to stay alive in WOAA playoffs, while the Rebels were already aware this was their final game.
Despite the lack of urgency, the Rebels took to the ice with drive and were rewarded as they drew first blood, only 25 seconds in, when Jake Moran snuck one by the Storm goalie with the assist to Josh Fritz.
However, the Rebels team who took to the ice in September with 17 skaters, only had 10 skaters for their final game and they were facing a full Storm squad. The early speed was difficult to maintain with the short bench and a number of times the Storm broke loose and Rebels goalie, Lawson Cumming, had to face several break outs which he turned aside and the Rebels maintained their one goal lead.
Halfway through the first, the Storm managed to even the score at one all. The back and forth continued for the remainder of the period but both goalies denied all comers and the period ended 1 - 1.
As the second started, the Rebels looked tired and the Storm took advantage and scored 2 quick goals to take a 3 - 1 lead. An unnecessary penalty led to another Storm goal as the tired Rebels struggled on the penalty kill. Rebels managed to chip away one goal from the lead when Fritz blew a beauty into the Storm cage with the help of Austin King. The last few minutes of period 2 saw a number of goals as the Storm scored with the Rebels quickly replying (Brandon Stewart assisted by Mitch Stevens). Storm scored one more time and the Rebels pushed to respond but were cut short at the sound of the buzzer to end the second.
Despite being down 6 - 3, and clearly struggling to keep performing with such a short bench, the Rebels played with heart. There were some excellent plays and lots of digging in the corners and grinding on the boards. It really felt like the Rebels might dig down deep enough to come back. With just over 10 minutes left in the game, the Rebels had an excellent rhythm going. Pass, pass, shoot, get the rebound, pass, pass, shoot tip, get the rebound. Finally, Jordan Beirnes to Wyatt Golem to Stewart and past the Saugeen Shores netminder and into the mesh - 6 -4.
If the Rebels were better conditioned to playing with only 2 lines, they might have pulled off the comeback. As it stood, the Storm managed one final goal and the final game of the season ended 7 to 4.
Rebels want to thank the fans, the parents, the officials, the staff and volunteers, the association and everyone who helped make this season possible.
Thank you!!!