Dec 24, 2012 | dturner | 589 views
Storm Run Out of Time vs. Mt. Brydges
In their 2nd game in as many days, the Storm faced off against the Mt. Brydges Cougars at home on Sunday afternoon. After finding themselves down 3-0 midway through the 2nd period, the team did not give up and fought back to bring the score to within one goal, but ran out of time to complete the comeback, as the final ended 3-2. As some of the Cougars tried using their size to their advantage, the intensity and physical play seemed to pick up, but the Storm showed that they would not be intimidated or pushed around. With no back-up goalie for the game, Ben Brant had a solid game in net for the home team, and the D-men did a good job of tying up the feisty forwards in front of the net. Hunter Seguin scored both goals for the Storm.
The Storm weathered some early pressure put forth by the opposing squad, thanks to "Big Ben", as he made a few key stops to keep the Cougars at bay. As the Storm found their legs, they began to generate some chances of their own, beginning with Hunter Seguin, who sent a high knuckler at the net, but the opposing netminder somehow got a piece of the puck. Later in the frame, Jake Booth would make a great solo effort, as his linemates changed, to get around both defenders and put a backhander just over top of the net. Parker McKegan showed some nice moves of his own as he danced through the offensive zone to get in tight on the goalie, but had his shot denied. Unfortunately, it would be the Cougars that would get on the board first, as they scored a late goal, in the last minute of the period, to take a 1-0 lead.
Five minutes into the 2nd period, the Storm would find themselves down 2-0, as the Cougars defenseman blasted a shot from the point, which Brant saved, but the rebound was gobbled up and put in the net. After a relatively quiet 1st period on the penalty homefront, the refs were forced to bring out their whistles, as the intensity of the game started to pick up. Mt. Brydges would get the first penalty for tripping, but the Storm PP would be short-lived as they were called for body checking. Not long after, the Storm would get another penalty (for high-sticking) which put the team down 5-on-3. The PK unit was able to kill off the first penalty, but the Cougars managed to get one just before the second penalty expired, to put the visiting team up 3-0. Being down three goals, the Storm did not hang their heads, and as the physical play continued, the team began to thrive. As a result, they would get their first goal of the game before period's end, as Evan Turner battled along the boards to get the puck up to Hunter Seguin who buried his shot to bring the score to 3-1.
After a late 2nd period penalty to the Cougars (for hooking) carried over into the 3rd period, Mt. Brydges was delivered another minor for body checking. Alas, the Storm PP unit was unable to convert. As the two teams disregard for one another continued to elevate, the Storm showed that they would not be intimidated or back down to the visiting team, as the boys continued to battle hard for the next goal, and Brant did a great job of not allowing Mt. Brydges to get one. The D-men did well to fight off the feisty Cougars' forwards in front of the net, as evidence from a roughing minor delivered to the Storm for protecting their goalie. The PK unit killed off the penalty, and shortly after the team would get to within one goal, as Lucas Rodey made a great head-man pass (from just inside his own blueline) to a streaking Hunter Seguin, who buried his second goal of the game on a similar looking shot to his first goal (low stick side) to make the score 3-2. Shortly after, the Storm were assessed a bench minor, with just 5 minutes remaining in the game. The PK unit, led by Brant, did their job and killed off the penalty, but time was running out on the Storm. After late penalties to both sides saw some 4-on-4 play, the Storm were forced to pull the goalie, late, to make it 5-on-4. With a faceoff just outside the Cougars blueline and only 10 seconds remaining, the Storm made a last-ditch effort to complete the comeback, as Seguin won the faceoff to Turner who shot the puck on net, but time ran out before anyone could get in for a rebound chance, as the game ended with a final score 3-2.
Way to battle back boys and prove that when the going gets tough, the Storm get going! Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe holidays.