First Play off Game against St. Clemens a WIN!
As coach Derek predicted them, this was a team to be reckoned with, he was right, the girls got to a lot to chew on, but we take wins anyway we can get them….
The game started with a nice set up between Avery and Elyse, all seemed well. It did not take long though to see who was the most experienced and even more important who was the more “hungry” team…. St. Clemens did a lot of passing between all their girls. And little mistakes on the Mount Forest end had big consequences, before we knew it the score was 2-0. As Mount Forest players are waiting on the blue line for the puck that is being stick handled to much in their own end, they might not be the fastest or best, but they can get it out, skate it up, and have their team mates catch up.
As Avery was determined to keep Esther awake as she gave her a hard shot. The game goes on as Abigail get the puck and charges for the net, Elyse in all her enthusiasm get a bit too fast and offside. But the puck makes it back in and Cali gets a great chance in front of the net and just misses.
From the Mount Forest end Avery picks the puck up and brings it in, stick handles nicely then gets tripped… no penalty! St. Clemens get another great chance as they catch the Mount Forest defence sleeping, Elyse comes out of the bench and makes sure they don’t get far.
As the second period starts and with St. Clemens spending most of their time in our end, it is hard to believe in a positive ending for Mount Forest this game. I love to be wrong though and as Avery makes another beautiful breakaway, the first shot stopped, she picks up her own rebound and the goalie makes a lucky stop… Change is in the air, Jenna works the puck out of our end with a hard shot, Elyse gets a hold of it and our first goal is in!
The girls seem to wake up and the crowd feels the change. Allyssa and Gillian work hard to keep the puck in, Avery picks it up and gets tripped again, this time there is a whistle.
Still Esther makes a good save, the puck goes with Elyse, Abigail and Natalie E. up to the St. Clemens end there are lots of chances but also some very soft shots but still a minute into the penalty the equalizer comes from Avery.
Then of the face off to much stick handling by Elyse gets us in trouble and the score comes to 3-2. But the best shift of the whole game is coming, Natalee D. takes the puck up and gives a beauty of a pass to Natalie E. who brings it in and shoots, she gets a rebound which is picked up by Abigail and she scores!!! 3-3. That was an attack out of the books.
With 4:38 minutes on the clock Mattea gives a good pass to Abigail and with Natalie E. a scramble in front of the St. Clemens goalie who comes out lucky this time. Elyse has another great chance as she stickhandles nicely through everybody, no luck. A time out is called and with 28.8 seconds left on the clock St. Clemens pulls their goalie…with 27.6 seconds the girls do the unthinkable and score the winning goal!!!
As coach Ken said after the game to the girls, only the last two minutes of this game everybody gave their 100%…., but as said before, we take wins anyway we can get them……