The Gary Edgecombe CA Peewee Rep Coyotes spent a bitter cold
weekend in Niagara Falls, exploring the casino plaza and riding the
water slides at the Americana. They also played three games in a
Port Colborne Tournament. Their final game against Six Nations
lasted through three overtimes and two rounds of shootouts before
ending in a heartbreaking loss for the Coyotes.
Game one on Saturday, November 23, against the Caledonia Thunder saw a Coyote team without much jump. They gave up one goal midway through the first and from then on, Adam McIntaggart turned away all shots. Unfortunately, the Coyotes never really tested the Thunder goalie, and lost 0-1.
Later the same day, the Coyotes played with enthusiasm. Thirty seconds into this game against the Baltimore Ice Dogs, Jack Sneddon dumped the puck on net while heading for the bench. When he reached the bench, everyone congratulated him on a goal he wasn't aware he had scored. In the second, the Ice Dogs tied it up. William McDowell, the Coyote net minder shut the gate after that. The third period saw Blake Columbus score his first of the season, and the line of Jason Priest, Jack Nell, Carter Crowder combine on a power play goal for a 3-1 victory.
On Sunday, November 24, the Coyotes faced Six Nations to try an earn a semi-final position. The Coyotes came out flying and led 1-0 at the end of the first. The second saw even penalties for both sides, but Jake Bouzis and Henry King were able to extend the lead to two. The Six Nations team came to life in the third. Their big defenseman, #40, scored one on a blast from the point. Then they scored the tying power play goal in the dying minutes of the third, putting the game into overtime. One minute each of 4 on 4, 3 on 3, and 2 on 2 settled nothing. Only in the second shoot out round did Six Nations seal the victory. Six Nations went on to win the tournament later that afternoon.
The Coyotes are halfway through their regular season and playing 500 hockey. The coaches are working them hard at Wednesday 6 a.m. practices to improve their skating, passing and puck handling skills, and intensity. As my son's Gongshow hat says, “Pracky makes beauties.” When the entire team realizes that intensity at practice leads to success in games, their fortunes will improve.
Their next home game will be on Sunday, December 8, at 5:55 when they take on the Parry Sound Shamrocks. Come on out and support the team.