Jan 23, 2018 | Amanda Cowdrey | 257 views
In Their Neck of the Woods: The Muskies Meet the Hurricanes
After a 2 week rest over the holiday season, the Lindsay Muskies Atom White team felt refreshed and eager to get back on the ice. Even the threat of a looming snow 'bomb hurricane' wasn't going to prevent them from travelling to Woodville to meet the Hurricanes in their first regular season game of 2018 on Sunday January 7th.
The atmosphere inside the arena was warm and friendly as both teams suited up for the game. However, outside the wind began to blow as the weather, and the first period, quickly approached. The referee blew the first whistle, the puck dropped, and the action began. The Lindsay squad was surprised by the back and forth play as Woodville fought hard to keep them out of their zone for a fast 7 minutes. Eventually Sean Hayman #17 broke the tension with a long shot from beyond the blue line, putting the Muskies on the board. Keira Watson #11 would follow that up seconds later with an unassisted goal of her own, and then 2 more in the final minute of the first, earning herself a natural hat trick!
Into the 2nd period, Ethan Peterson #14 stepped into a forward position against his former teammates and assisted Nathan Sanderson #29 in another successful shot, burying one deep in the Hurricanes net. The Woodville goaltender faced multiple shots from the Lindsay Atom White team, who although played out of their natural positions in a bold alteration of lines, remained uniform in their positional play. But the Hurricanes were wise to the change-up and pushed back with force, enabling the Muskies to score on the power play.
Tristan Shiers #10 opened the 3rd period with his 6th of the season. Lots of cross-ice passing also saw scoring opportunities from Lindsay's Devon Moynes #8 and Ethan Thompson #6 but Woodville's defence was quick to rush in and stop the plays. Nathan Wooldridge #15 and Ross Kostashuk #2 battled hard in the corners for the puck, facing the unrelenting determination of the Hurricane team to not go down without a fight. Fresh off of a successful penalty kill, Woodville was able to break through Lindsay's defences, taking a fast high shot and squashing any hopes at a shut out for their opponents. Before it was all over, Drake Robinson-West #9 added 2 more for his team and Ross Kostashuk #2 found himself in the 'box of shame' on an interference call with only 26 seconds to go in the game.
The blowing snow storm on the drive back to Lindsay was a subtle reminder to the Muskies Atom White team that the night's dominating win over the Woodville Hurricanes wouldn't be their final meeting and their friendly foes would be ready for them next time...
Player of the game was awarded to Ross Kostashuk #2. A versatile player who knows his position and has the ability to play both forward and defence, was consistently in the right place at the right time as expected. Taking the puck to the boards and his battles in the corners have been an impressive help to his teammates.