Besides that fact that my husband found himself haunted by the EXACT same buzzer and clock that he played under 35 years ago, it was an exceptional game to watch today in Belmont. If you weren't there, then you missed out!
Not sure if the rumors were true, we ventured to Belmont to find out for ourselves. We heard that the Belmont Rangers are the most improved team of this Novice season. In life, we are often advised to not believe everything we hear; this time, well, believe it! Belmont has not only improved but gave us quite the run for our money.
The BUZZER sounded to start the first period (and yes, my husband was astounded by the buzzer) and the DRAGONS did not waste a second. We won the face of but Belmont took it away just as fast as we took possession. They brought it into our end within seconds and let the puck loose on our goalie, Matthew Cochrane. Matthew flashes the leather, gloves the puck, drops it on the ice and it's picked up by #2, Mega Mike. We are talking a serious coast to coast extravaganza here! Mike wraps around our net and makes his way through full on bumper to bumper traffic and finds himself wide open in front of Belmont's net. Mike draws back, snuggles the puck into the cozy position in his stick and lays waste! Twenty seconds into the first and the DRAGONS are up 1-0. Next in line was Fabulous Fisher with a rebound one-timer, top cheese blaster, after an on the pads shot from Brayden. Jumpin' Jacob is the next DRAGON to have his time in the lime light after receiving a fantastic pass from a left handed Mighty Molly backhand. Jacob receives this as if it is he does this every minute of everyday; au natural. His body goes right but the puck and stick is headed left; the goalie falls for it and into the open net it goes. For the next 6 minutes we fought off the Rangers and saw the best back and forth action we have seen this season! 3-0 DRAGONS. In response to our attack, the Rangers decide to do the same and sneak a goal past Matthew. 3-1 DRAGONS. The next goal is the most cherished goal of this game, and a long awaited accomplishment for one wee DRAGON, her parents, the fans, her teammates and coaches! The shots were again pelted at Matthew. He saved all but threw the last one to Ian. Ian carries the puck to near our blue line and makes an extremely disciplined pass to our forward Matthew M. Matthew carries the puck in to the zone as our players wait eagerly at the blue but staying on side. Nanoseconds after Matthew passes the forbidden blue line the rest of the DRAGONS follow suit. A pass is made by Matthew and is picked up by Calista. Crafty Calista manoeuvers the puck through 4 hungry Rangers, pulls back and buries the puck deep in the Belmont net for her first goal of the season. The fans, bench staff and her teammates go absolutely bananas! Calista comes onto the bench and doesn't say a word as everyone congratulates her; but the smile on her face could be seen from miles away!
The second and third period is an all out battle of skill and determination. Only two goals were scored in the second and none in the third; a clear display of how hard these kids worked in the first period. Belmont scores early in the second. All are prepared for a 4-2 score at the end, but the DRAGONS have just one more move up their sleeves so it appears! This NHL style passing display blew the minds of all in the arena! With only about 40 seconds left in the seconds period, Cool Cohen, back from an 16 day hiatus due to holiday and family obligations, makes a cross ice pass to defensemen Brilliant Bryce. Bryce fends off 4 desperate Rangers and gets the puck directly on the blade of Matthew "The Wall" Lindsay who is planted on the correct side of the blue line (heaven forbid the offside). A call from the stands for Matthew to "just shoot it" rings true in his ears and he gives'er. HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! From the far side of the blue line, it goes in and the DRAGONS take a bigger lead and also the final goal if the game.
Did anyone notice anything fantastic about this game??? The game sheet shows that EVERYONE got themselves a point this game. That is what I call teamwork!!!!!
Go DRAGONS!!!!!