Huskies Battle Woolwich LL2 To A Draw, News, Midget LL2, U18, 2013-2014 (New Hamburg Hockey Association)

The Husky Midget LL2s were looking for a little redemption on November 30 when they played host to the Woolwich Wildcat LL2s. Having suffered a 5 – 3 loss the previous night in St. Jacobs at the hands of their opposition’s brother team, the Woolwich LL3s, the Dogs were angling for a win at home. 

Things started badly for the Huskies when the Wildcats drove one in from the slot with only a minute elapsed. The Dogs pushed back with Robert Bowman setting the example that others would follow. Struggling through a couple of minor penalties, the Pack finally answered in the dying moments of the first frame. Owen Houle teed one up from the point that rebounded onto the tape of Connor Ross. Ross made no mistake and buried the puck to tie the game. In spite of some nice team play by the Dogs, the Wildcats were not to be underestimated. A mishandled puck by the Huskies saw the visitors establish a two-man rush to the net that succeeded. The Huskies fought back with Ross, Cam Gingerich, Pat Glofcheskie and Houle all getting solid chances, putting the Wildcats on notice that this game was up for grabs. To underscore the point, Eric Noseworthy mounted his own rush through traffic early in the third and very nearly advanced the Husky total. The visitors caught a break when the Dogs were cited for slashing allowing them to widen their lead on the power play. But the Huskies, far from giving up, dug in their heels and took it to Woolwich with a vengeance. Bowman, who was playing well all game, made the perfect pass to Cam Gingerich who was streaking up ice. Gingerich beat the goalie and delivered the package to the back of the net. The Huskies were relentless as the period wound down. It looked like Woolwich might win it but a head shot call against them and a face-off in the offensive zone was the last opportunity to avoid a defeat. Coach Duane Gingerich pulled his goalie to get the 6 on 4 advantage in a final gambit with a minute remaining. The strategy paid off when Ross secured the puck and fed Houle who unleashed a rocket from the blue line. The bullet deflected off a defender to retie the contest with seconds remaining. It was a stunning come from behind effort and the Huskies will accept the 3 – 3 decision knowing they can do better when they meet Embro on December 7.