Jan 25, 2020 | CherylAnn Golem | 254 views
Can they get out of their own way?
The Township of Chatsworth and District, Moggie Valley Timber Inc., Midget Rep Rebels clash with their nearby rivals the Shallow Lake Lakers in OMHA playdowns. First team to 6 points moves on the other hangs up the skates from OMHA play.
Game 1
Rebels had the edge from the opening faceoff. They were the better team and just over 2 minutes in, Jake Moran battled for the puck and took it down the ice and put it in to give the Rebels the lead 1 - 0. However, after successfully killing off a penalty, a complete defensive break down at the line handed the Lakers the opportunity to tie it up and they make no mistake. 1 - 1.
Rebels went back to dictating the pace of the game until the Lakers came back in and found two men alone in front of the Rebels crease and made it 2 - 1. The first period ended, and, though anyone watching would have given the Rebels the edge, the Lakers were winning.
In period two most of the chances were by the Rebels, but a 15 second lapse saw the Rebels giveaway the puck multiple times in their own end and finally find themselves down 3 - 1.
In period 3, the Rebels continued to throw everything they had at the Laker net but they just couldn't capitalize. They even had 2 powerplay opportunities, which were decent in comparison to the disasters early in the season, but they still couldn't find the inside of the Laker goal.
As the 3rd period drew to a close, the Rebels pulled their goalie in order to get things going on the scoreboard. The Rebels couldn't swing it and the Lakers scored an empty netter to end the game 4 -1.
Morale was mixed. Rebels had proven that they could outplay the Lakers, but, despite that fact they couldn't seem to outscore them.
Game 2
Rebels were even more dominant in game 2 and even more of the play was in the Shallow Lake end of the ice. Both teams successfully killed off a penalty in the first. Rebels tried everything to score - long shots, short shots, hard shots, knuckle pucks, back hands, fore hands, screened shots, high, low - nothing worked. With much of the play in the Lakers end, Rebels goalie Lawson Cumming could easily have been cold and out of the game, but, when he was called upon he came up big numerous times and allowed the Rebels to keep chipping and firing and deeking and digging and trying to get on the scoreboard.
Period 1 ended scoreless and period 2 and 3 saw more of the same. Despite almost 60 shots on net, the Rebels still couldn't get one on the scoreboard. Finally, sudden death overtime saw more of the same and the Rebels beginning to tire and suffer some injuries. At 6:14 of the overtime period, the Rebels and the fans went wild as Rebel Alex DeJong found the back of the Laker net to give the Rebels the win.
After 2 games of outplaying, the Rebels made it away with one overtime win. Disappointing, but hopeful that all the promise this team has been building to throughout the season might finally be coming true.
Game 3 take place January 30th @ 9 pm in Markdale.
Let's go Rebels!!!