Feb 16, 2013 | pstarling | 316 views
Short-handed for another crucial game
It really seems to be becoming a theme for the Midget Teal team......playing games shorthanded. With two players not able to make it for the game in Beaverton tonight, it meant once again the team would be playing with only 9 skaters and a goalie. This game however was a slight bit different however as not only were we short players, but we were also short staffed as both coaches, Dave and D'Arcy were unavailable for the game. Fortunately LMHA president Peter Mitchell was able to make the drive to Beaverton and fill-in as head coach for the game.
Of course in the dressing room before the game it was stated several times that once again we needed to make sure that we were not taking a bunch of stupid penalties. While everyone nods in agreement at the statement, it never seems to last long in the minds, and penalties a plenty still happen causing us to play even more short benched than necessary.
The first period saw the visitors actually get three power plays to on, but by the end of the frame the score was tied at 1-1 thanks to what would have to be classified as another typical Mike P 'garbage goal', with absolutely no disrespect meant. Mike always seems to find himself in front of the net at the right moment to bang home those loose pucks.
The 2nd period certainly was not one that the Muskies want to write home about, although giving up 4 power plays to 1, as well as losing a player for a 10 minute misconduct, the team was still bale to come out of the frame only allowing a goal one one of those power plays to head to the dressing to regroup down 2-1.
Coming out for the 3 period, the only thing I can assume is that my little pep talk during the flood helped to inspire the boys on (at least that's the way I'm going to look at it!! LOL). The number of penalties was even at 3 apiece, although one of the Lindsay ones was the third one for a player which again caused us to finish the game with less players on the bench than we started with. That aside, just 3:14 into the frame Jeff tied the game up after Greg W put the puck down to the side of the net for Mike C, who promptly put it through the crease to Jeff who tucked it home. Just :32 seconds later, the same play was orchestrated by Wil putting the puck down to Mike C in almost the same spot, who put it out front for Kole to bang into the back of the net to give the visitor their first lead of the game. Three minutes later Jeff wired a shot from the top of the circle that appeared to bounce off one of the Brock defenders and find its way to the back of the net. The final goal of the game came of Brock's stick with just over 2 minutes remaining.
All in all a very solid effort by the boys, hopefully we will have 10 skaters back the bench for the game against Lindsay Black on Sunday. If 10 players are able to show up, it would mark the first time in 4 games that we have started a game against our home town rivals with 2 full lines.