The Gary Edgecombe CA Peewee Rep Coyotes finished their regular
season Friday, January 10, with a 3-1 win over the Oro Thunder. The
win gives them home ice advantage over the Thunder in the first round
of OMHA playoffs, set to start soon.
The Peewee Rep Coyotes finished their last four games of the regular season playing 500 hockey. They lost to Owen Sound and Georgian Shores, and won against Shelburne and Oro.
On December 29, the Coyotes led 5-2 entering the third period at home against the determined Owen Sound Attack. As soon as the Coyote forwards eased off and tried to defend their lead, they lost their advantage. The hungry Attack tasted blood and took control of the Coyote end. Three goals in the last three minutes gave the Attack a 6-5 victory.
On January 4, the Coyotes travelled to Shelburne for what should have been an easy two points against a team with no wins and only one tie in the season. Instead, the Coyotes battled back from a one goal deficit to win anyone's game 2-1.
The following day, January 5, the Coyotes played their last road game in Thornbury against a well disciplined Georgian Shores Lightning team. The lightning passed quickly and shot steadily from the point. The Coyotes fought for control in their own end, dumped the puck when they could, and didn't seem interested in chasing it back down. The Lightning went on to win 4-0.
The Coyotes final regular season home game against the Oro Thunder was important in two ways. First, a loss could have given up home ice advantage in the playoffs, and second, this was the last chance to build some momentum heading into playoffs.
All season long, the coaching staff have stressed that, “It's all practice until the playoffs.” It's true. Last year's Peewee Rep had a weaker regular season record, but made it to the OMHA Semi-Finals. They, however, had an epiphany in game three of their first round against the Wasaga Stars. They staved off elimination and went on to beat Wasaga, and in the process learned what effort it took and what they could accomplish as a team if they all worked together to accomplish a goal. I'm hoping this year's team, a great group of kids, doesn't need to face elimination before they get hungry.
Watch the elmvaleminorhockey.ca website for their first play-off game date. Don't forget to check out the 33 Peewee Rep photo galleries, top ten action photos from all their regular season games and tournaments to date.