This Weekend, the
DRAGONS are a 500 team after losing one on Saturday and winning one today…. that’s right….. winning one today!
Our game on Saturday was against a team we have played once before; Port Stanley Sailors #2. This will be the last time we play the Sailors #2 during regular season and we had the same result this time as we did last time. After a game filled with 4 different kids spending 2 minutes each in the box of shame, the Sailors came out the victor winning 5-2; a 3 point spread, just like the last time. Alex “Dutsy” Dutton scored our first in the game at 7:27 in the third with a rebound supreme that had our fans on their feet! Only 97 seconds later, Fabulous Fisher takes a pass from Crafty Calista after she came sliding backdoor and jammed in a pass across the crease. Fish sees the pass and picks it up with absolute skill. Fish lets loose and we score our second of the game. Cool-Hand Clint made some fantastic saves this game and without him the score would have been much higher. All in all it was a super game and everyone played very well.
Today’s game was a mark in the DRAGONS book of history. After playing 8 games this year our record was 0-7-1. Today the DRAGONS changed this record and added a “W” against Thamesford Attack to their resume making it now 1-7-1. With fire in their eyes, the wee DRAGONS listened to Head Coach “Barracuda Bill” strategize prior to the game. They cheered their cheer… the one that goes “Who’s gonna win? We are, we are! Who’s gonna lose? They are, they are! How we gonna do it? We’re gonna shoot, pass, kick ‘em in the BEEP!” After the risqué cheer, they made their way to the pad where they hit the ice with ultimate intensity. Two hard laps by the DRAGONS and Thamesford spent the rest of their warm up with their jaws on the ice.
The buzzer sounds and our starting centre, Notorious Nathan won the faceoff and cleanly tucked it back to Infamous Ian; and they play begins. Most if the first period was exceptional extended possession by the DRAGONS in the Thamesford zone. The Attack make their way a couple of times to Dutsy’s Domain but our killer defensemen, Matthew “The Wall”, Infamous Ian, Jumpin Jacob and Terrific Ty stop them dead in their tracks! In an attempt to keep the Attack away from Dutsy, Ty fires the puck simply to get it out of our end. The cross ice shot is collected by Mighty Molly who, without even looking up, forces it up ice. Molly’s centerman, Fabulous Fisher miraculously picks it up and heads to Thamesford’s net. Seeing he has no opening he goes around back. Not keeping up with Fisher’s speed, the goalie remains mostly on the right hand side of the net as Fish wraps around the left and… well you guessed it! At 4:21 in the first period, Fish scored the first goal of the game and was joined by his line mates, Crafty Calsita, Mighty Molly, Terrific Ty and Jumpin’ Jacob in a celebratory skate dance that is seen after all goals; LL, BB or NHL!
The second period starts and the fans are subjected to an absolutely whole hearted display of “I love Hockey” by the DRAGONS. Great Grayson stops a few plays dead with his poke, Cool Hand Clint makes many deeks and prevents some perilous attacks, Danglin’ Daniel holds the force strong against the boards (always coming out the victor), and Killer Keegan pushes the puck up ice consistently. Nothing much happens in this period other than some great plays and the Bench Staff biting their nails down to the quick. No goals but lots of NHL quality moves.
The last and most important period of this game happens now… in the third. Five minutes of DRAGON dominant play occurs and the fans are on the edge of their seats. A one goal lead is OK but we have 15 minutes ahead of us and that’s more than enough time for things to change dramatically. The kids are so excited we are ahead, as are the fans and the coaches. For a few minutes the kids are all over the place and erratic… it’s the nerves…. we are about to win a game potentially! The DRAGONS appear to be getting tired but so do the Attack. Just when you think there is no play in the mix, Fish winds up with the puck and he’s heading to Thamsford’s net. Listening to his coaches, Fish fires the puck out front of the net and there was a DRAGON in her office. Mighty Molly watches the play, sets herself perfectly and plants her stick on the ice. The eye- hand coordination was working today as Molly effectively raises her stick and lays waste to a one timer that ends up deep in the net . The insurance goal is on the books. 2-0 DRAGONS. We think it’s smooth sailing but we are interrupted by a late Thamesford goal that has us on edge for a bit. Only 3 minutes left and they got a goal making it 2-1 DRAGONS. Thank goodness for that insurance goal!
FINALLY…… the buzzer sounds and the DRAGONS are able to celebrate their first win!
Way to go DRAGONS… you deserved it !!!!!