Mar 23, 2019 | Karin Stockwell | 631 views
It was a close one!
In the opening game of the WOAA Championship finals, the
TCDMHA Power Workers’ Union Midget LL Rebels came out strong as they got
their first look at the undefeated South division leaders, the Mt. Forest
Rams, on home ice in Markdale on Thursday night.
In typical Rebels fashion, the good guys neutralized their opponents in the first period with their renowned aggressive forechecking and backchecking, and the frame ended in a 0-0 tie. The Rebels had reined in two of the Rams' faster skaters in the first, but two mistakes in the second proved costly when one of those players got behind the team on a breakaway and then later in the period was left alone without a dance partner in front of the net.
Heading into the third, the Rebels were now behind by two, but the boys have faced deficits before and have dug in hard to come back. Doubling down on their efforts, the Rebels mounted a strong offensive push. Jack Scott announced his return to play with a sweet deflection in front of the net, set up by Josh Currie and Hunter Courtney. With half the third period left to play, the tide appeared to be turning in the Rebels’ favour. Unfortunately, a string of penalties a few minutes later left the team playing a man short – at times, two – for most of the remaining time on the clock, making it difficult to maintain the offensive drive to tie the score and force OT. The game ended 2-1 in regulation time.
Neutralizing Mt. Forest’s fast break and generating traffic in front of their goalie proved to be successful strategies for the Rebels, and fans are hoping to see more of that action in Game 2 on Sunday night. The boys clearly demonstrated they have what it takes to beat the Rams. The Rebels are not afraid of a little hard work, and without question, they will show up in Mt. Forest ready to do business.
GO, REBELS, GO!!!!