Game 4 @ Chedoke: Waterloo 0 Hamilton 2
This was the tamest game in the series, with the Hamilton goons no longer running around trying to pummel our smaller team - and their parents were almost as quiet as ours. The key play in the game came late in the second period. It was a clean, average hit, albiet in the danger zone (2 to 4 feet from the boards) on one of Hamilton's girls. Eventually she was carried off the ice on a spinal board and the game was delayed for about half an hour.
Our lineup was depleted as Nolan was nursing a severe groin pull and Rhino had equipment problems and missed the first half of the game waiting for his skates, and of course Eddie is still out with his fracture. Thankfully we had Brett Rombout called up and he filled in like a regular.
Stevie and the defense had most of the action in the first as Hamilton kept it in our zone most of the period. The only offense we had going in the first period was Jessica, but even she couldn't get a good scoring chance. I don't recall many first period penalties.
Nolan finally got a chance to play on a powerplay, and a few shifts in the second (including the infamous cross check well after the whistle that infuriated the home team's parental units).
While Stevie stood tall in the net, they finally beat him on what will become the infamous Mickey Mouse Ear goal (based on the picture) and then they picked up an insurance goal late in the third. To add insult to injury, Shulzie broke his stick (AGAIN!) so it was an expensive loss for #2 (he was so devasted that he skated off the ice while the puck was in our end...).
Nice to see Eddie made the special trip all the way (around the corner) to watch our season ending game (his sister was in a hoop tourney coincidentally)...Hamilton outscored us 8-4 in 4 games ...
Game 3 @ Moses: Waterloo 1 Hamilton 2
This game had it all. Dom's great scoring chance on a 2 on 1 that he drilled into the goalie's glove, 3 Hamiltonians being helped off the ice - so much for the size and intimidation, Bennie laying out 3 of the biggest hits you will ever see in open ice and a couple of amazing saves by Jesse. Unfortunately the Hockey Gods were smiling on Hamilton as they once again pulled out a one goal game, in the final minute of play.
Game 2 @ Chedoke: Waterloo 1 Hamilton 1
Must be the big ice, because the Wolves looked like a whole new team during game #2. Stevie made the second best save of the game in the early seconds as he stopped a breakaway, and then Jason made THE save of the game stopping the rebound from rolling into the gaping net. After that the scoring chances were few and far between.
In the final three minutes the Wolves found themselves with two in the box and Hamilton had over a minute and a half with a two man advantage. It didn't take long for them to open the scoring, but that was it as the Wolves defence played an awesome game.
Some of the defensive highlights include John chasing down a 2 on 1, Nolan scooping another loose puck rolling in the crease (and waited about five seconds to move it ...lol), all the "D' clearing the front of the net, and of course #33 settling into his groove (- good thing cause his Mom got everything on tape!).
The second period had few scoring chances and the Wolves waited until the third again (hmmmm) to tie the game up. The remainder of the period was well played and the officials did a great job of keeping the game in hand without being a factor. Yes Jordan was hauled down at centre ice, close to a garroting, but it was not a scoring chance. Similarily, the late jab at Steve's glove warranted a stern warning that clearly got through to their captain. So the third ended with; a tie, and a misconduct penalty.
Overtime was interesting, but both sides were content to walk off with a point. Sets the stage for our first game at Moses in a long time, and Jesse's first start there since the famous Stratford win two years ago.
Game 1 @ Albert West: Waterloo 2 Hamilton 3
This one started out the way most of us thought it would. Hamilton came out and took control of the game early and often. No idea what the shots on goal were prior to the last 30 seconds of the period but 15 to 2 might be close. The quirk was that our two shots were part of some great scoring chances that never developed. So while Jesse held the fort down, in the final seconds of the period the Wolves had at least five great scoring chances off of a defensive miscue. First was the breakaway, then the puck was loose with the goalie sitting and there were several Wolves with shots at half an empty net.
Following the scoring chances at the end of the first, the Wolves picked up their play and it was a bit more even. While Gordie was drawing penalties at will we failed to generate any offense on the powerplay (we actually gave up another short handed goal) and Hamilton scored on one of their few chances. Hamilton's third goal was also a breakaway that gave them a seemingly unsurmountable lead going into the final period.
About five minutes into the period Jessica scored a real pretty goal as she patiently waited to deke and beat their goalie. Then the Wolves picked up another goal on a real pretty passing play from Dom to Luke which erupted into a stupidfest by Hamilton. One of their players picked up a double minor with 3:20 left on the clock in a now 1 goal game.
Unfortunately the powerplay was again ineffective, even with the goalie pulled and the Wolves found themselves leaving the ice down in the series, but confident with their near comeback.
tidbits... not only were the parents from both sides a little over the top with their vocal contributions, the trash talking on the ice has hit a new level of vulgarity...Colin received some verbal abuse from their coach at the end of the game - real class act Hamilton, he's 12 years old, how old are you?...And why does anyone yell at a ref - aside from asking for the ball in his pocket back...lol.
| Round One Playoffs vs. Brantford |
Game 4 @ Gretzky Blue: Waterloo 4 Brantford 1
With the Wolves shorthanded due to Colin's illness, Brandon's suntanning adventures and Eddie's broken wrist, Brett Rombout and Tanner Pollock were called up from the MD teams (two rivals too... but thats another story). Add the memories of our last visit and shellacking in Brantford and this game had a few question marks.
The story to this game was simple - Stevie shed his Brantford demons and played what I would say was his best game of the year. He was simply outstanding in net, doing all the little things (staying up, challenging the shooters, covering rebounds...yadda yadda yadda). The one goal that went in was as big a fluke as you will ever see. A shot five feet wide, off of a defenceman's back(!) into the top corner.
The other half of the victory was our offensive display. Sean ripped a slapshot top-corner, glove-side, 19 seconds into the game to prove their little goalie was not invincible. John then picked up a rebound and slid it between a scrum and the goalies pads for the enventual game winner (Bruno would have loved that one!). Then Rhino took a pass in the slot (or rebound we forget), and in one motion turned fell and shot a quick low one into the far corner of the net on a powerplay. And who else but Ben finished the scoring late in the third to keep his scoring streak alive.
Again the team showed some moxy by avoiding penalties as the refs were letting a lot of crap go. This new confidence in walking away should do us well in Hamilton since they play the same style. Both Tanner and Brett contributed positively to the victory, which was a nice surprise since this was their first taste of 'A' hockey in a couple of years and its playoffs and Brantford was playing for their lives... thanks guys
Game 3 @ Albert West: Waterloo 7 Brantford 2
After a 30 minute delay and shift from the crummy East to West side, the Wolves came out loaded for bear. That and there was the destroyed sign from the previous night, and some taunts from the Bell City Boys that got the Wolves looking for some payback.
The refs made sure that everyone knew this game was not going to be a stupidfest and they kept great control of this game. Not 100% sure, but I think there were more goals in this game then penalties and that might be a first in a long time.
Ben started the Wolves' scoring with a wicked wrist shot (again! - this guy is on some kind of a scoring streak!) and that evened the score after Brantford jumped out to an early lead on a powerplay. From that point on the Wolves slowly turned the screws and built up a 4-1 lead before Jesse got caught cheating (! he was playing the pass and gave up an ugly goal between his skates) in the second. But the Wolves continued to press and 4-2 ballooned to 7-2 midway through the third before everyone just wanted the clock to run out.
Everyone was solid in this game, from the first line to the third. Unofficially Dom, Luke, Ben and Colin led the scoring parade with some real pretty assists and goals. The outburst of 7 goals is a new team record for this year.
But a lot of the credit has to go to the blueliners. They did a great job of moving the puck out of our zone. That had to be the best game our defensive unit has played all year. Then there was Jesse who did not give up a rebound until the third period (again unofficially). After one save on a long shot a Brantford player skated through his crease and before Jesse could take a swipe at him, the Brantford player said 'Nice save'. Jesse said he didn't have the heart to swipe at him ...lol.
Game 2 @ Gretzky Yellow: Waterloo 1 Brantford 6
Brantford jumped out to a lead 20 seconds into the game and never looked back as they returned the favor of being lousy hosts in game 2. Again similar to game 1, the first period was very competative. The Wolves played fairly good hockey, giving up few chances, no odd man rushes, stayed out of the penalty box, and did all the little things.
Unfortunately there was a second period. They scored 3 and half minutes into the second and again a minute later. Poor Steve must have wondered what happened to the team he watch play on Thursday. Shortly after their third goal, Brantford took a penalty and Ben broke the shutout bid and made it a game again.
I thought the boys showed a lot of composure and took a few extra puches and slashes (which is what you have to do in playoffs). We still managed to get a penalty parade going on some questionable calls (although Rhino's was pushed into the goalie, his cross check to the goalies head influenced the call. It also didn't help that the goalies helmet crashed into the crossbar loud enough to be heard up in the bar over top of Thin Lizzie's, The Boys are Back in Town).
The only good thing about Saturday night was that they got to go back on the ice on Sunday before a practice (I'm sure the pucks were going to be scarce!).
Game 1 @ RIM Park #2: Waterloo 6 Brantford 2
This might have been the least vibrant of any opening round playoff game we have seen in a long time, but once the Wolves started scoring their intensity picked up. The big news in the first period was Rhino crashing into the boards, on the ice, back first - thats down where the boards have no flex and the body has no crumple zones. After a lengthy evaluation, Trainer Don helped him to the door where he was carried off to the dressing room. Two side stories - one was that it was Ryan's older sister Kaylee (I know that is spelled wrong so I apologize) who was one of the abulance drivers who showed up. This is why you have to be nice to your siblings - ya never know when they are going to be in a position of absolute power over you!!!!! The second story was that Dr. Digravio left a seminar to take care of Ryan at the hospital. Above and beyond the call of duty - thanks doc.
 Meanwhile back at the game Shulzie picked up a lucky bounce and chipped in the first goal of the game in the final 90 seconds of the first period. Then the game went into a bit of a lull until Brantford tied the score midway through the second on a mini breakaway from the wing. The tie was short lived as the Wolves then went on a scoring spree starting a minute later at 6:49, followed by goals at 2:23 and :28.9 to end the period with a 4-1 lead.
The third was not very eventful, the was the funny high bouncing puck that rolled into the net, and Benny's pretty breakaway goal on an equally pretty pass from Luke. Jesse even gets mention for a glove save that should have ended up behind him when he was down and out, but on this night the Wolves had the Hockey Gods smiling upon them - maybe it was because of the turkey parent from Brantford calling the refs "Donkeys" when Luke and their defenceman both went off for slashing. Note to nomenclature-challenged parent: Even most city dwellers, who have limited equine knowledge, refer to the refs as zebras because of their stripes.
Other tidbits...prettiest goal of the night had to be the tic-tac, tic-tac, tic-tac-toe passing play by Luke and Dom. While they were making their "D" imitate a Yo-Yo, Colin was dumped in front of the net. As he got up, the passing eventually moved behind the net, then onto Colin's stick, and in the back of the net..."Benjamin" had quite a night having his name mentioned for a couple of goals and a penalty, maybe we should just be calling him "Jammin'" for short? ... Good thing the Benchwarmer was in the building as the boys could not get changed until the key-absconding parent returned it...and judging by the picture on the right - I think the boys are ready to try stuffing the washroom on the bus again!
|
| |
Feb 6: Waterloo 1 Woodstock 2
The Wolves came out flying in this one and played one of their best periods of hockey in the first half of the game. Offensively the players were moving the puck exceptionally well, good forechecking, most checks were finished and the Wolves were rewarded with an early 1-0 lead. Steve made two outstanding saves in the early going. The best one came on a rebound when he dove across with his paddle down near the goal line to steal a sure goal.
Steve lost his shutout bid towards the end of the second when one of the Vets was left alone in front of the net with a loose puck that flew into the top corner of the net. Then early in the third the game was lost on a powerplay goal that came via screen shot from the point.
The Wolves had their chances to come back in the third when Woodstock took three consequtive penalties. The second and third penalties both gave us a 2 man advantage. Nolan had the best chance on a shot he ripped inches wide (great shot!). Guess what will be on the next practice's agenda?
Funny (in hindsight) play at the end of the game. Steve was pulled but arrived with a line change. The timely arrival screwed up the bench, so for over twenty seconds we played without a goalie and without an extra attacker - good hosts!
Some other highlights included Jordan's fifteen hit game (or there abouts). Woodstock lost a player in the first few minutes for hitting from behind... The videographer claims there were at least four other hits from behind that were not called... Check out the standings below.
|
Bristol Pee Wee, Final Standings |
| | Team |
GP |
W |
L |
T |
GF |
GA |
GF avg |
Pts |
| 1 |
Woodstock |
30 |
15 |
11 |
4 |
85 |
85 |
0.5000 |
34 |
| 2 |
Waterloo Wolves |
30 |
12 |
14 |
4 |
66 |
77 |
0.4615 |
28 |
3 |
Hamilton |
30 |
12 |
15 |
3 |
61 |
77 |
0.4420 |
27 |
4 |
Cambridge |
30 |
8 |
16 |
6 |
70 |
93 |
0.4294
|
22 |
| 5 |
Brantford 99'ers |
30 |
7 |
20 |
3 |
79 |
123 |
0.3911 |
17 |
6 |
Burlington |
30 |
6 |
23 |
1 |
62 |
121 |
0.3388 |
13
|
| |
