Mar 08, 2009 | Sweber | 1454 views
WOAA CHAMPIONS!
The Atom Rep Rams win the Western Ontario Championship on Wednesday night in Bayfield.
After being eliminated from the All Ontario Play Downs the Atom Rep Rams were playing for the Western Ontario title.The team met up with the BCH Ice Dogs. During the regular season, the Rams lost both their games to the Ice Dogs 5-3 and 5-2. They knew they had to bring it all to the ice because it was going to be a tough series.
Game One was in Mount Forest Friday night @ 8:00 p.m.
The first period was a battle, both teams were evenly matched and both teams wanting the first goal. It was BCH that drew first blood. At the 5 1/2 minute mark BCH scores after a scramble in front of the net. The Rams continued to add pressure with many chances and opportunities.
On fire forward, Alex Keiffer from the point tied the game at the 3 minute mark with assists going to Jordan Reaman and Derick Acheson.
At the top of the 2nd period Kroes made a fantastic glove save which fueled the team. The next shift Jake Mulder rushed down the ice with Brady Coburn and sent the puck out in front of the net to Hunter Elliott who blasted a slapshot which hit the post.
Blake Lewis, Cole Hodgins and Troy Weber who were passing well to each other in front of the net were looking for the perfect scoring opportunity. At the 5 minute mark Lewis finally connected with the mesh to lift the Rams to 2 with Weber and Hodgins assisting.
2 minutes left in the 2nd frame Kroes after 2 amazing saves lost his stick and could not keep the 3rd shot out of the net. Tying the game at 2 the boys headed into the 3rd and final frame.
The boys proved to give it their all as Reaman even while on the ground still managed a shot on net. Weber even on his stomach was still in control of the puck. Just under the 7 minute mark, Derick Acheson with a shot was denied by the goalie but Jordan Reaman was there to cash in the rebound. BCH was determined for another goal but the defence were solid. Warren Zeinstra was unbeatable on the blue line keeping the puck inside for the forwards. Jake Zeinstra had many hard shots from the blue line to forwards in front of the net. Kyle Dallaire did a great job of clearing the puck out of the Rams end, looking for Rams forwards before sending the puck out. Tristan Sylvestre took advantage of his long reach and poked many opportunities away from the Ice Dogs. Dylan Reeves used his speed to safely remove the puck out of the Rams end.
At the one minute mark BCH pulled their goalie and with the extra attacker had many shots. Right up till the 10 second mark the puck was still in the Rams end but Warren Zeinstra dumped the puck down the ice for the final buzzer giving the Rams a 3-2 win.
Game #2
The boys traveled to the cold Bayfield Arena the next day for Game #2.
BCH opened the scoring early on a wrap around from behind the net which beat Kroes.
Derick Acheson tied the game with his great shot from the top of the circle.
Less than a minute later Tristan Sylvestre tipped the puck at the blue line to a waiting Hunter Elliott who one timed it in.
The top of the 2nd BCH made good on their powerplay and scored their 2nd to tie the game at 2. The middle of the period Tristan Sylvestre walked in from the Rams end to the host end to score. The score 3-2 the Rams penalties were starting to add up and were proving to be costly. BCH tied the game at 3 again on a powerplay. Tied at 3 heading into the 3rd Dylan Reeves shot from the blue line but hit the post as the goalie was totally out of position. Brady Coburn was on a rush and even after losing his stick was still able to make a great kick pass to a waiting Reaman who was denied. The final penalty of the game for the Rams proved to be the most costly as BCH again scored on a powerplay with 2 minutes left in the game. The Rams gave it their all and even with Kroes on the bench and an extra attacker the Rams were not able to tie the game. It was a devastating loss for the boys knowing the trophy was at the arena and it was theirs if they had won the game that day. To add salt to the wound the team lost the flip so they were headed back to Bayfield on Wednesday night for the 3rd and final game.
Game #3
The due or die game on Wednesday night started off slow for the Rams. The late night and long ride left the fans and coaches to wonder if the boys could pull off a win. BCH hit the ice hard and on home ice advantage came out to win. The Ice Dogs stung early from the Rams face off circle. The coaches were trying to get the boys pumped to get the game going but it wasn't until the 2nd period when things started to turn around. Cole Hodgins left the bench on fire and flew down the ice and leveled a BCH forward. Even though Hodgins received a 2 minute penalty it was a turning point for the Rams. The Rams were suddenly energized and played like the team we know they are. Jake Mulder sent a missile past the BCH netminder which tied the game at 1. The defence were instrumental in feeding the forwards and the forwards were massive attackers using every opportunity to pull ahead in the game.
2 1/2 minutes into the 3rd with a pass from Brady Coburn and Jake Mulder, Hunter Elliott one timed the puck and sent it home. Pulling a 2-1 lead it added fuel to the fire for the burning Rams.
BCH was determined to tie the game and the forwards were back checking and using every opportunity to keep the puck out of our end. The defence were sure of their passes to the forwards, no one wanting to make a mistake as the clock was winding down.
At the 4 minute mark again fed by his linemates Coburn and Mulder, Elliott with his trademark slap shot that we have all come to love, gave the Rams the insurance goal that the team needed. The game was far from over and the Rams continued to work hard. BCH pulled their goalie and added tremendous pressure on Kroes who underwent an attack of shots but came up big with some spectacular saves. A time out was called by BCH and the Rams coaches reinforced the boys amazing teamwork and plays for the night. With strict instructions of what they now needed to do the boys held off BCH. The clock wound down to the final buzzer and the boys claimed the WOAA Championship! After losing to this team in regular season and losing the flip of home ice advantage the taste of victory has never been sweeter! The boys have come so far and worked so hard it was certainly a well deserved victory for every member of the Mount Forest Atom Rep Rams team. Way to go boys, we are so proud of you!