Midget LL2 Advance To A-pool Finals, News, Midget LL2, U18, 2013-2014 (New Hamburg Hockey Association)

The Huskies Midget LL2 needed a pair of wins in order to advance to the A-pool finals and the only things standing in their way were opponents that had their own agendas. Their brethren Huskies Midget LL1, although mathematically eliminated from the final round, were poised to play spoiler for the LL2s on March 5 when the puck dropped at the Wilmot Recreation Complex. 

The opposition’s short bench did not play a part in the first frame and to underline the point, they secured the first goal on a shorthanded effort before the LL2s woke up. The answering point came from Pat Glofcheskie as he scooped up a pad rebound from captain Eric Noseworthy. Brandon Tracey’s sniper shot on a feed from Cam Gingerich found the mark in the dying minutes to put his team in front. The LL2’s deeper bench was decisive in the following periods with Damian Naylor adding two more points to the score sheet 35 seconds apart. Sean Boake grabs the assisting credits on the first while set-up man Owen Houle and Canden Addley share the credits on the second. The LL1s rallied mid-way through the third, adding a second marker to their total but it would be their last as Jamie Rennick would deny further efforts. Pressing the point home, the LL2’s dominated the remainder of the frame and tallied a final time just before the buzzer. Connor Ross’s wrap-around secured the 5 – 2 win with Gingerich and Colton Hussey getting the helpers on the play. The Huskies were slated to host Plattsville on March 8 to complete the round-robin action in what every player knew would be their biggest game of the season to that point. Both teams had the same 3-1-1 record. A loss would mean the end of the season while a win meant a trip to the A-pool finals against Paris who sewed up their berth earlier in the week with a 4-2-0 record. With their season on the line, the Dogs took to the ice with great expectations but suffered an early setback on a turnover that saw the Plattsville Rage scoring with only 18 seconds elapsed. The play settled down into a physical test of wills but neither team moved the needle for the remainder of the frame. The Rage repeatedly tested Husky net-minder Chris Thrush but he proved to be a wall and allowed his team confidence to take the play into the offensive zone. A tripping call against the Dogs looked like an opportunity for the visitors but a breakout pass from Mackenzie Rykmann found Brandon Tracey racing to the net and scoring on the shorthanded drive. Even strength play had barely resumed when the Pack struck again. Glofcheskie executed another breakout pass to winger Andrew Just who carried it deep and drilled a shot off the goalie’s pads. The rebound was promptly buried by Tyler Griffith who’s goal put the hosts in the lead. The crucial third period saw the Rage try and rebound on a 2-on-1 rush that Thrush turned aside to keep his team in front. The lead was advanced further moments later when Gingerich backhanded the puck over the goalies shoulder getting help from Tracey and Ross. Plattsville pulled out the stops and the Dogs were on their heels taking two back-to-back minors trying to stem the tide. The Husky penalty killers were outstanding keeping the Rage from scoring but even strength resumption would not be as friendly. Another 2-on-1 rush late in the frame succeeded for the visitors making this a 1-goal contest. Another penalty against the Dogs looked like the opening the Rage needed to tie it up but the advantage was lost when they were cited for interference with a minute remaining. They pulled their goalie but the gambit failed and the Dogs held on for the 3 – 2 win and trip to the A-pool finals. It was a tremendous victory that places the Pack in first place overall, allowing them home ice advantage when they face Paris in the looming best of three finals.