Hard Work Weekend Payoff!
The Bantam LL team had a busy weekend November 13, 14 & 15, traveling to Wiarton Friday, home in Mount Forest Saturday and Sunday night in Port Elgin. Their hard work all weekend resulted in a win, a tie,and a tough loss.
The weekend started in Wiarton where the boys worked hard the entire game. There was a point in the closing minutes of the second where it looked like the boys were loosing steam, and the Wiarton squad took advantage scorong twice to take a 2 - 0 lead. The Rams came out with new life for the third and were not going to go silently. Just 5 minutes in and #18 Tyler M took a pass from #9 Keith H to put the Mount Forest side on the board. There were no less then 6 saves by the goal posts and cross bar, and dozens of shots as the team dominated the third. The Wiarton tender was strong and left little room for error. Despite their best efforts the crew was not able to score again, but could leave that rink heads high as they were clearly the stronger team in the 2 - 1 loss.
Saturday night saw the boys at home. So far this season home ice has been their advantage, as they have not lost at home yet. The visiting Normanby team started strong with 2 goals in the first 5 minutes of the game, and it looked like the home stand streak was going to end. The home team got their game on in the final 5 minutes of the first and held the visitors at bay for the remainder of the period and through out the second. The team work of #20 & #21 that we have seen a number of times this season played a role at 12:20of the second as Willson F took the puck in & passed it in front of the net to Macauley H to bring the boys back on track, now down 2 - 1. The remainder of the second period was scoreless for both sides, but not for lack of chances and attempts. At 8:49 in the 3rd #15 Davin P & #19 Evan H tied up the game with some great teamwork in front of the net. The Rams continued to work hard and with just 2:22 remaining in the game that team of #20 & #21 worked their magic again to give the team a 3 - 2 lead. With the time ticking away and the game looking like another win the fans were watching from the edges of their seats cheering all the way. Then with just 1:10 in the period a rough scramble in front of #1 Nathan M the Normanby team snuck the tieing goal past him. In his defence it is difficult to stop a puck when you have an entire line of players on top of you! The game ended in a tie, but again the boys could hold their heads high as they were again the stronger team in the end.
So with 2 of the weekends 3 games under their belt the Bantam LL Rams headed north to Saugeen Shores to play at the Plex in Port Elgin. The Mount Forest team had a tough start as #10 Darin L sat the first period in the box, taking a 10 minute penalty during the warm up. Not letting this start deter them #4 Nick P and #24 Gavin M worked together to fire the puck over the line to put the Rams on the board just 28 seconds into the game. The Mount Forest team continued to walk all over the Shores team scoring 6 more times in the first period, with goals coming from #21 with 2, #11 Ryan H, #6 Micah B had 2, and #20, ending the first with a 7 - 0 lead. The goals were assisted by #18, #4 & #24. There was 2:23 remaining in the first when the Shores tender went down injured after a scramble in front of the net. To avoid any longer delay the teams retired to their dressing rooms while they flooded the ice & the Shores team dressed another netminder. The Shores team emurged with a new mission and held the visiting Rams to just 1 more goal by the #20, #21 dual of Macauley H & Willson F in the second. Both sides were scoreless in the third and the Mount Forest Rams went home with the 8 - 0 win.
The team will be at home on Saturday November 21 at 5:30. Be sure to come out and see if they can keep their home streak in tact.
