Feb 23, 2014 | OSMHG | 1381 views
Novice A Jr. Attack Start GBMHL Playoffs a Perfect 3 and 0
The Quick Lube Novice A Jr. Attack team picked the best possible time of year to play their best hockey to date, the PLAYOFFS!
After playing some great hockey in an extremely competetitve Tri-Couty pool with Milton and Woolwich the Novice squad began their quest for gold in Georgian Bay Minor Hockey League action with three consecutive road games.
It started just over two weeks ago versus Flesherton when the Jr. Attack busted it open in the third period with 4 goals en route to a 6-3 victory in a rough, hard fought battle. Goal scorers were Bryce Martin with two, Callum Stata, Markus Ptok, Cooper Schneider, and Cam Moore all with singles. The well balanced offense included helpers from Kashias Keeshig (2), Cohen Garvie (2), Markus Ptok, Wyatt Dobratz, Cody Cox, Cooper Schneider, and Bryce Martin.
Now the boys and girls had a 15 day break without a game, but kept their focus with intensity in practice.
This weekend brought two consecutive road games with a Saturday tilt in Oro. The first period saw both teams come out of the gate quickly and was hard to tell who wanted it more. Both goalies were tested, but could not be beat as the first period ended in a 0-0 tie.
The momentum started to shift in the second as Owen Sound rolled three lines wearing out the Thunder who only had ten skaters. The hard working Jr. Attack had more jump in their step, backchecked like maniacs, and started to take control of the game. But, after the second period horn, the game remained knotted at nil.
Finally at 8:20 in the third, Callum Stata burned the D wide and fired a beauty far side putting the Jr. Attack up by one. Just two minutes later Cody Cox put a shot on net right off the faceoff and beat the Thunder net minder five hole to give Owen Sound some breathing room. They weren't done yet, as Cohen Garvie made no mistake putting things at ease with just over four minutes remaining. Assists went to Kashias Keeshig and Nate Oniszeczko. Oro could not find the back of the Owen Sound net with Myles Playter standing tall in a 3-0 shutout win.
Not much rest for the weary as the nation woke up early to watch Team Canada win gold followed by a Quick Lube Novice Jr. Attack road game in Midland for their third straight, away from home.
The Novice squad have not yet found a way to win versus a tough Midland team this year, and were determined to break their little hearts.
A slow start in the first period ended with Owen Sound down 1-0, but they did finish the period with two great scoring chances in the dying seconds.
Building on that momentum brought some great scoring opportunities in the second period for both teams but neither could score. Owen Sound tender Kai Bryja came up with some BIG saves keeping the Midland lead to a single tally after two.
This post season has seen the novice attack get better in every game with each period and today was no exception. The third period was a battle at both ends of the rink and the Jr. Attack could not seem to find the back of the net. That was until the 2:51 mark of the final frame. Markus Ptok fed Cody Cox who lit the lamp with a low corner shot.
The stage was set for the closing minutes that saw two teams despeartely fighting for victory.
With just over one minute remaining the attack pushed hard in front of the Midland net when Cohen Garvie found the puck and fired it hard through traffic beating the Midland goalie to take a 2-1 lead.
We have been here before, up a goal with just over a minute to play. Midland pulled the goalie and applied excellent pressure but was not enough as the focus and determination of the Owen Sound Jr. Attack prevailed in a 2-1 road victory extending the playoff winning streak to three games!
Three down and three to go, all at home, beginning Saturday when we host the Elmvale Coyotes.
Go Attack Go