The Pee Wee Rep Rams made the trek to Hensall to face off against the BCH Ice Dogs. The twines bulged early in the first frame, as centre Nolan Officer lit the score board in the first 20 seconds, with thanks to a pass from Connor Kerr. Kerr then tried to repeat moments later with a thrilling shot, but was denied. The Ice Dogs finally move the Rams to the Visitor end but Connor Reeves and Brett Doney teamed up to frustrate the hosts' attacks.
The Pee Wee Rep Rams made the trek to Hensall to face off against the BCH Ice Dogs.
The twines bulged early in the first frame, as centre Nolan Officer lit the score board in the first 20 seconds, with thanks to a pass from Connor Kerr. Kerr then tried to repeat moments later with a thrilling shot, but was denied. The Ice Dogs finally move the Rams to the Visitor end but Connor Reeves and Brett Doney teamed up to frustrate the hosts' attacks.
The Ice Dogs finally evened up the score with a cross net shot, deflected on the open side of netminder Dylan Laprade. Cody Stewart took his game up a notch and covered his man well, foiling attempts on his shift, while John Bowden used the boards to rub out his opposition.
In the second chapter defenseman Owen Milne was key in diffusing Ice Dog strategies. Willson Fisher flew into corners to dig out the rubber while Jackson Francis kept the pressure on his winger and force plays repeatedly. Finally the Rams appeared to find their groove and created rapid-fire attacks. Francis, Bowden and Maverick Holliday were a nightmare for the host cager as Holliday popped the advancing goal with appreciation to Francis and Bowden. Galvanized by the advancing goal, the Rams occupied the Ice Dog end for a majority of the period. Before the clock wound down, Holliday would earn an assist when he won the faceoff and Officer flipped the rubber over the shoulder of the Ice Dog goalie.
The third period was decidedly more physical as each squad was hungry for the win and each earning the necessary penalties. The Rams cashed the fourth puck in, thanks to a solo effort by MacCauley Hall. The Ice Dogs had their fans cheering as a close call during a scramble at the Rams net had the potential to score. Laprade used every effort to cover his crease and frustrate their efforts. Although the Ice Dogs attempted to provoke the Rams, the visitors were able to focus on the game. BCH did get a goal from a tipped puck in a melee around Laprade. Nathan Reeves took this personally and retaliated with a brilliant tip from a Hall pass to advance the effort 5-2.
Perhaps the squad was feeling comfortable with their margain, but the Ice Dogs were growling for a goal and kept the action in the Mount Forest end. Finally their perserverance paid off and a sliding cross ice pass move the score to 5-3. The pack was in a frenzy and they tallied the tying goal with 31 seconds remaining. Laprade faced 30 shots throughout the match.
WALKERTON AT MOUNT FOREST
The Walkerton Pee Wee Rep Capitals had their first visit to the Mount Forest Sports Complex when hosted by the Mount Forest Rams.
The Rams were solid in their positioning and held off the Capitals until midway through the first period when a short sharp pass bested Bretton Peter through the 5-hole. One minute later the Rams caught up when Nathan Reeves cashed a pass from Nolan Officer and MacCauley Hall.
Rams offense was organized in its attack, including rushes by Willson Fisher, Connor Kerr and Officer. John Bowden executed an impressive faceoff which transitioned the puck to Brett Doney, who inturned flipped the rubber to within inches of the Captials' pipes.
Defense was exceptionally tight as well. Connor Reeves covered his man into the boards while Owen Milne was outstanding throughout the game - especially when it came to cutting off the Capitals' attack strategy. Before the end of the frame Reeves, Hall and Officer had the fans cheering with an impressive rush/rebound combo.
Before the time ran out, Maverick Holliday was able to cash an assist from Officer and Jackson Francis. Doney then reinforce with a crushing mid-ice check and Fisher thrilled the crowd with an exciting breakway, but could not complete the transaction.
Peter looked solid from the start of the second period with a toe save followed by a glove save moments later. This bought the team time to reorganize. Cody Stewart shone with his impressive blue line work and Nathan Reeves, Bowden and Hall were outstanding in rebounding and rallying around the Capitals' crease. Doney then advanced the effort with a showy backhanded flip from Hall and Bowden for a 3-1 count.
Rams defense can be credited with taking control of the puck at their blue line and preventing some serious damage. Milne was solid in pulling the puck off Capitals sticks while Stewart was consistant feeding shots into the Rams forwards. Connor Reeves is returning to his previous form with back checking efforts.
The Capital could not be counted out as a breakaway deked Peter for a 3-2 count. Kerr looked impressive with an end to end breakaway, but was hauled down within feet of the Capitals net. The Rams held their ground in the visitor end, with Holliday backing up defense and moving in for rebounds.
Following the flood, the Rams attacked from the first face off. Francis intercepted a key breakaway in the Captials end and made an attempt, while Milne continued to impressive with an interruption of a Capital set up and pivot that kept puck in the visitor end.
The home squad appeared sluggish after the Capitals wrapped around a far corner shot on Peter, and then took the lead moments later with a similar play. After a couple of scattered moments, the Rams reorganized and Nathan executed his second goal of the game off of a rebound from Officer. Keen on breaking the tie, the Capitals retaliated and launched an attack with less than two minutes remaining. Peter, who stood up to 30 shots throughout the match, stood his ground and a key poke check preserved the 4-all final.