Jan 28, 2018 | Duane Gingerich | 753 views
Midget LL2s Win First Play-off Game at Home
Submitted by Al Ross
The Midget Huskies LL2 began their post-season
play-off run at home when they hosted the Ayr Flames LL1 on January 27. The
Flames were the first of 4 teams the Dogs will face in the A-pool round-robin
series to decide which 2 teams will advance to the championship finals.
The Huskies were off to a good start, moving the puck well and putting pressure in the offensive zone. The opener came on a center-ice turnover that saw Alex Wagler bolt to the Ayr net. A desperate Flames defender tripped him up as he tried to unload the package and the referee immediately ordered a penalty shot. Wagler made good on the play, beating the goalie on the deck with a nice deke. It would be the only point scored in the first period as both teams struggled to find traction. The intensity ratcheted up in the second as both teams took penalties for body-checking but the next goal came from Ayr at even strength on a defensive zone breakdown. It looked like the frame would end with a deadlocked score but some nice Husky team play in the dying seconds changed all that. Ayr was on a power play but got stripped of the puck by Alex Wagler who raced up the boards into the offensive zone. He arrowed the puck to line-mate, Ryan Pierson, who was perfectly positioned at the back door. Pierson would make no mistake on the one-timer and regained his teams lead on the short-handed effort. The big story in the third involves Carter Schwartzentruber’s sterling abilities between the pipes. For much of the frame, the Flames pressed home credible attacks but the Husky goalie denied all of them at which point the pent-up frustration became the opposition’s undoing. With time running out, Ayr sent 2 players to the box for undisciplined penalties, giving the Dogs breathing space to secure the 2 – 1 win. It was a good start for the home team and they hope to continue with good fortune when they face the same team on the road on February 4.