A Tough Game In More Ways Than One
Trying to keep your cool during this game was tough for players and parents alike.
The Rams traveled to the Keady Arena to meet the TCDMHA Rebels. The Rams came out strong. Nole Black opened the scoring with assists going to Cory Lewis and Jacob Reeves.
The goal sparked something in the Rebels and while the Rams were in front of the net trying to score, Cory Lewis didn't see what was coming as he was knocked down from behind in front of the net and Alex Kieffer wore a stick right off the helmet.
Brady Reeves-Coburn retaliated and scored one for his teammates as he fired one in the top corner. It was a 2-0 for the Rams heading into the 2nd period.
A true Ram, Cory Lewis plowed his way along the boards and took 3 Rebels with him but still came up on top with the puck, and with a great pass to Luke Cowen who shot from the side of the net but was denied.
The smaller ice surface was a definate disadvantage as the Rams were bunching up and trying to spread out, but certainly feeling on top of each other for the whole game. The Rebels took advantage and half way through the 2nd scored their first of the game on a breakaway.
Three minutes later the Rebels tied the game after Kroes made two great saves they hammered in the 3rd shot where Kroes stood no chance.
A tied game, the Rams were trying to get things going but the small ice surface and the rough free for all game, the Rams were getting frustrated. The refs were letting everything go and the boys knew they had to play a different style of hockey than they were used to. Alex Kieffer and Luke Cowen had a great scoring opportunity as they used their great passing skills in front of the net.
This type of game was right up Dylan Reeves alley as he was taking full advantage of the refs letting everything go. You could almost see the "bring it on attitude" in the defenceman as he was playing full tilt.
A minute into the 3rd period the Rebels scored their 3rd goal putting them ahead for the first time in the game.
The Rebels had Troy Weber's number and had two shadowing him the entire game. Frustrated Web was getting pushed around and had finally had enough. He started dishing back what was thrown at him and it resulted in the first penalty of the game. Troy got his revenge when he smoked the rubber past the Rebels goalie after he served his time in the box.
Tied at 3 and 7 minutes to go in the game the defence were solid. Warren Zeinstra used his body as a shield to block the puck as the Rebels tried to score.
Riley Moore and Carsten Cottingham rode the blue line as the Rebels tried to dump the puck out of their end, they had trouble getting it past this dynamic duo.
Benn Zettler past the puck up center ice to a flying Sully Fisher who was hooked right down to the ice while in the Rebels end. Fisher will be sporting a Easton imprint across the ribs for a while but our Rams forward is a tough one as he bravely got up off the ice with Dr. Jeff's help and was back out the next shift.
The game remained a tie at 3. They boys were frustrated with the tie but a lot of the game was out of their control based on the refs and their lack of control of the game.
The Rebels are headed to our arena on December 22nd boys. The best revenge is to play the game the way you know how and beat them on home ice. It will be an early Christmas present for us all.
