The Sunday matinee game at Ayr's NDCC. Our bench is short, we are down to 10 players. Ronan Cottrell our injured defense man controls the middle of the bench. Encouraging and cheering on the depleted line up. With line mates Remy on vacation and Josh battling a cold our lines were juggled. Kohen got the chance to show his defensive skills. The start of the game had both teams gaining entry to one another's offensive zones. Unable to create any space the play was slow and our anticipation was high.
Midway thru the 1st Kaelan was able to make space and place a nice wrist shot off the post and in. 1-0 Express. The switch has been flipped our confidence is on. Kohen steps up and pinches down the boards. Steals the puck and puts a shot on net. Nolan is at the side of the net and deflects it over the pad of the goalie. A knee down arm pump celly 2-0.
A smart line change on the fly, Levon holds the blue line to maintain our control. Aadrian gets it in the corner makes the pass to Kaelan who feeds Caleb out front for the tally. 3-0. A short time later and Chris is starting the play. He makes the pass to Rydan who sends Kaelan in alone. Quick deke and its 4-0 at the end of the first.
The second period starts as the first ended, Ingersoll on the attack. Kaelan sends the hats to the ice with his 3rd of the game beating the glove of the goalie. The game is coming easy to the team as effort equals reward. Ayr is able to score off the draw when they put a hard one off the glove of Owen and it just trickles past the line. 5-1.
Caleb is assessed a tripping penalty. Onto the penalty kill. Whether we have 5 players or 4 it seems not to matter today. We get a chance on net, off the post. Quick whistle no goal. Another opportunity arises when Kaelan scores from Kohen for a shorty. Ayr looks to bounce back when they get close but Levon clears the puck off the goal line, which results in Aadrian making a rush for a SH goal of his own. 7-1.
We are back to even strength and making plays on the rush. Another well placed shot finds the twine. Kaelan is having a game! 8-1.
The score isn't reflecting the Flames effort. They are making plays and testing our efforts. Owen is forced to make the last 3 saves before we get a chance again. Rydan wants in on the action and dangles at the blue line and snipes low. 9-1.
Levon and the defense extinguish the Flames and we celebrate a determined short handed effort.
Go Express Go!