First Playoff Game -- A coyote pack success.
Other than the longest, darkest, scariest night time driving winter can throw at you (Yes the Reid Tank-Mobile filled with high-strung hockey energy might not have taken all the right turns to Shelburne...aka C.R 9 for 15km at 45km/h max speed behind an 18 wheeler in low gear grinding out twists and turn through back road country I'm sure was used to film the Blaire witch project or deliverance!), that’s the way to start of the playoffs. Hard fought, fast paced hockey. Although the score was 4-3 in favour of the
Elmvale pack, the games was played much tighter by both teams. At no time was there a runaway scoring
stream, and sloppy play was non-existent.
Elmvale began the game using Ethan, Brenden and Zach up front with the Sam-Issac combo on defence. We followed that up with another hot grouping that worked well in our last Coldwater tournament game using Levi, Randy and Lauren backed up by Alicia and Bobby. Our most exciting line of the night came on last with Davis, and Thomas with the help of our little star from the Adam division Owen playing up with us. From start to finish this grouping of lines played stellar.
The scoring opened up in the first period with an end to end rush from Lauren to Randy and then tape to tape passing play to Levi who sniped the inside post to go up 1-0. Our second goal in the second period, was an aggressive rush along the boards by the flying Ethan Barber. Ethan in the middle of line changes, rushed up the left boards, cutting back to the middle as he crossed the blue line, where he fired a rocket past the Shelburne net minder for an unassisted goal.
The team seemed to settle into this pace only for the next 2 minutes of hockey when Shelburne reminded us that they are here to play hockey too. The wolves pocketed a loose puck past Elmvale goalie, Alison “I broke my glasses so I think I will play this game without them so I can’t see the puck coach” Smith to pull within 1. The rest of the second was played out with excellent back and forth hockey.
Elmvale rebounded quickly in the 3rd period with their 3rd of the night from a fast paced puck moving trio of Davis, Owen and Thomas, with Davis, snapping a puck past Wolves netminder in the same fashion as our first goal. Riding the high of a 2 goal lead for the next 5 minutes, Elmvale was once again reminded that there were 2 teams out playing for the win on that frosty night in Shelburne. The wolves pocketed a pair of quick goals less than 1 minute apart past AliCat who played like a giant wall the entire game.
With the game tied, and energy running high, Owen Farris (AP) is sent streaking up the ice on a passing outlet from his defensive pairing of Sam and Issac. As Owen entered the zone, it had his wingers moving fast to the net, and that added distraction was just what was needed as Owen lifted the puck over a sprawling goalie for Elmvale’s fourth and final goal of the night! Elmvale was on defensive lock down for the last 3 minutes and 16 seconds of the night, securing their first post season victory over a hard charging Shelburne Wolves. The Pack pulled off a great win.
Player of the Game was chosen by the coaching staff and received a gift certificate compliments of Midland Pita Pit, represented everything the coaching staff asked of the squad. This player tried hard every shift, never held back, never complained, stayed positive all night long, and played with respect and determination. Luckily for the coaching staff, there were several players to choose from that met this criteria. In the end, it was felt that Davis Smith was deserving of this recognition, and the entire team agreed. This is what the Coyotes pack is all about---The team, win or lose it`s about the team.
Congrats to everyone, well played and well deserved. Lucky for us, we get another chance to show off our pack skills tonight at 8pm in Elmvale against the Shelburne Wolves. The rematch is on! Cheer hard, have fun, see you tonight.