Feb 27, 2017 | dosmond | 692 views
Unifor 3264 Shuts Down Burford for Pivotal Win
Playing their second game in three days the Unifor 3264 Bantam team combined a strong fore-check with aggressive play from the defense to edge the Burford Coyotes 1-0 giving goalie Dawson Sharpe his second shutout of the season.
Sharpe was not very busy all game as he was only forced to make a handful of saves, most of which were on shots from the deep outside. The Unifor defense was key all game long on keeping the Burford rushes to the outside of the offensive zone limiting Burford to one good scoring chance all game.
The game was dominated by the Unifor 3264 side from the drop of the puck. A strong, aggressive fore-check all game led by wingers Dylan Russell, Luke Heather and Cam Dench set the tone of the game. All Unifor forwards were constantly on the puck in the offensive zone and had numerous occasions where they kept the Coyotes pinned for :45 seconds or longer in their own end.
The only goal of the game came in the opening minute when Unifor Wingers Brydon Johnson and Luke Heather put together a determined fore-check causing Burford to turn the puck over in their own end. Heather would pick up the loose puck and fire a nice blind back-hand pass through the slot to Unifor Center-man Liam Carson who put a one-timer up top past the Coyotes goalie.
Unifor 3264 would continue to set the tone for the remainder of the game with their aggressive play and puck movement. At every opportunity pucks were sent in deep into the offensive zone and immediately there was a red jersey in the area to apply the pressure or win the puck battles. Even when Burford controlled the puck battle and moved the puck the Unifor 3264 defense would step into passing lanes or pressure the Coyotes forwards to rush to the outside of the ice.
Once again the home side was given a number of powerplay opportunities but were unable to capitalize on the man advantage, though they generated a couple of great scoring opportunities that the Coyotes goalie would stop or Unifor would hit a post or miss the net.
The win puts the teams record in the second half at 7-5-3, good for 17 points and currently in fourth place. The teams final game of the second half is Feb. 28/17 when they take on the Ingersoll Thamesford Pizza LL team at 9pm.
"ITS NOT WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU THAT MATTERS, ITS HOW YOU CHOOSE TO RESPOND THAT DOES. ALWAYS CHOOSE TO FINISH STRONG." - DAN GREEN