Dec 18, 2013 | nreintjes | 740 views
CLASH OF THE TIE-TANS
The last time the FLYERS met LL3 was on November 9, 2013. The intensity shown in this game was not as apparent in November's game. Obviously both teams' coaches have been working hard with the kids during practice. After a 5 game win streak, the FLYERS came out with a tie on Saturday; a perfect ending for this perfectly matched team!
No tears were shed on Saturday when the FLYERS' 5 game win streak ended. All left the ice with smiles on their faces because there could not have been a better way to end this game. Although a win is always nice and always welcome, the talent on these two teams is so perfectly matched that a tie just seemed right! Most of this game was spent between the two blue lines. Centre ice was the place to be to take ownership of the blue frozen disc. The problem was that not often did a successful takeover of the disc make it past the intended blue line before another player came by and took possession of their own. This went on the entire game.
First on the board for this game was the FLYERS but it wasn't until the near the end of the period that this action began. At 3:23, #7, Sam Willsie, took a pass from Owen Gray and snapped a shot top shelf past LL3's goalie. Jubilation ensued! LL3 returned not long after with a shot that barely got past our fast and furious goalie, Joel Hoornick who braved the net this game. All tied up and only 90 seconds left in the first before the buzzer ends the period.
As if keeping tradition, the second period was a replay of the first although the FLYERS fans were made to wait even longer to observe another fantastic goal by their favourite team. The non-stop disc exchange near centre ice continued as did the speed of the play. LL3 scored first in the second putting them ahead by one goal, but this didn't stop the FLYERS'! This was actually the turning point of the game where it went from a great game to a game of high intensity and excitement. At 0:34, Sam Willsie takes yet another pass from Owen Gray and puts it in it's home! At this point, the crowd went crazy!!!! The fans all moved closer to the edge of their seats and the energy on the bench, in the stands and on the ice became almost palpable. Tied again!
Well.... the third period, let's just say, did not keep in tradition with the first two. A total of 8 goals were scored this period as the hunger for the win became evident in the expressions of faces of the players. First goal for the FLYERS this period was by Carson Thomas. Carson took a graceful pass from Rowan Walsh and shot the puck so hard that some were surprised it did not leave a trail of melted ice in it's wake. The normally stoic Carson skated back to the bench as he let out a quiet celebratory giggle. The second goal of the period was worth a paragraph of it own and was proceeded by a terrific play. #6, Camryn Ryall carried the puck around the back of the net and backhanded a pass to #12, Cayden Murphy. Cayden takes a risky but firm shot at net. The shot was saved but Grayson Doherty was there to grab the deflected stray garbage and gently flicked the puck in the net, backhanded. Really, they're only 6 and 7 years old? Well, yes... really! This all happened before we were 4 minutes into the period. 4-2 FLYERS! The FLYERS were on cloud nine until LL3 gave us a bit of a reality check! Less than 40 seconds after our fourth goal, BAM!!!!... LL3 scored two goals merely 5 seconds apart. And we're tied again. More back and forth puck possession and stealing at centre ice went on for a few minutes until LL3 scored again. Fans back on the edge of their seats The FLYERS answer with a goal by Owen Gray and tie it back up again. Then, holy cow, does Sam Willsie not decide to let loose and fire a shot just under the cross bar to bring the FLYERS on top again. Down to under 60 seconds left; the other team has pulled their goalie! LL3 makes a well deserved attempt on net and scores their 6th and final goal. Tied up, kids tired, fans satisfied.... the buzzer blows.
WOW, FLYERS! That..... was.... awesome!