Submitted by team reporter Al Ross.
The EJ’s Husky AE were looking for that elusive win in Arthur on October 3 after suffering a loss to the Brampton 45s the night before.
The Dogs looked determined as they outplayed the hosting Vipers in the first frame. Net minder Sam Cull was challenged with an early Viper breakaway that he deflected before the Husky defense solidified. They would remain on the defensive through back-to-back penalty kills in which Joel Domm and Nic Egli showed their talent. Then the Dogs turned it around. Chances followed with shots from Ethan Field and Owen Ross coming close but it was scoreless after one. It was more Husky pressure in the second with a wildly bouncing puck almost finding the back of the Viper net. The opener came on the power-play. With a Viper player in the box for hooking, the Dogs forced the forward zone. Field secured a loose puck, dashed in and roofed it on an unassisted effort. It was end-to-end action when even strength resumed. The Vipers found the net on a blitz to re-tie the contest as the period wound down. A head-shot call against the Dogs meant starting the third frame short-handed. The Vipers smelled blood and Cull was busy fending off repeated opponent attacks. Their efforts ended in frustration and penalties that the Huskies hoped to capitalize upon. The rough and fast play saw both sides sending players to the box but the Dogs looked sharper during the four-on-four challenge. Field was once again threatening as was Nick Dumais and Alex Kyle. With less than a minute of play remaining, the Vipers abandoned discipline as the Huskies crashed the net. The referees were busy assigning penalties to both teams but it was the hosting team that came out worse. The pack had time for one last push but they were unable to advance the score. The win remained elusive for the Huskies and they had to accept the 1 – 1 decision. They hope to better this record when they meet the Flamborough Sabres at home on October 9.