Huskies Edge Out Woolwich LL3's in Tight Contest, News, Midget LL2, U18, 2013-2014 (New Hamburg Hockey Association)

The Midget Husky LL2s were hoping to continue their solid holiday season winning streak when they hosted the Woolwich Wildcat LL3s on January 4. In their previous meeting, the Wildcats handed the Dogs a loss so the meeting was destined to be a nail-biter. 

As expected, the contest was rough with both sides taking penalties. Woolwich took a roughing minor that was followed by a Husky penalty for interference. The Pack came out on top just as the 4-on-4 was about to expire. Brandon Tracey, working the puck in deep went to his backhand while crossing the crease and beat the goalie to garner the first point of the game. The Huskies dominated the play for the rest of the frame with searing attacks from Owen Houle, Canden Addley and Cam Gingerich but the Wildcat net-minder denied them. The rough play continued in the second with the Huskies once again controlling the game. Cycling work between Andrew Just and Houle almost hit pay dirt but once again, the visitor’s goalie was sharp. A head shot call against Woolwich saw the Dogs redouble their efforts, this time with Just and Eric Noseworthy pressing home the attacks. Unbelievably, the score was not advanced as the third period began and the tables were turned against the Huskies as the opposition went to the power play. The Dogs proved to be as resilient at killing penalties as they were on the attack. Connor Ross, Colton Hussey, Damien Naylor and Cam Gingerich shut down the Woolwich drives allowing not a single shot on net while pressing shorthanded attacks of their own. The Wildcats rebounded late in the frame when they split the Husky defense. Chris Thrush read it right and lurched way out of the net to successfully poke check what would have been a breakaway. The Wildcats weren’t done and with time bleeding away and a Husky in the box for a head shot penalty, they pulled their goalie to get the 6 on 4 advantage. The Husky defenders were hard pressed and things got suddenly worse for them as a slashing call saw the Woolwich advantage go to 6 on 3. Defenders Pat Glofcheskie, Mackenzie Ryckmann and Noseworthy beat off the attacks and together with Thrush who was solid in the dying seconds, secured the 1 – 0 decision, extending their winning streak to 4. The Dogs would like to keep that momentum going when they travel to face the Ayr Flames on January 6.