Dec 15, 2022 | JHumber | 173 views
SCP Team Blue Faces Pivotal Game with Essex Thunder
The SCP U11 Team Blue had 2 games on their schedule this past weekend. Their first being an exhibition with Tecumseh, and the second a much anticipated matchup against the Essex Thunder.
The exhibition game against Tecumseh was played at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg on Saturday night. This game would be a good tune up for their game the following day. However, with several players being felled by illness and prior arrangements, this turned out to be the shortest bench to date for this team. Going into the game with only 8 skaters, it was all hands on deck, requiring a full rotation at different positions for all players. Interestingly enough, if you did not look at the bench you would not have known the shortage of troops. The Predators came out firing on all cylinders and scored only minutes into the game. Goal was scored by Blair Davis assisted by Robyn Humber. Then, to close out the period the Preds scored 2 more goals in quick succession. The first by Blair Davis unassisted, and the second by Victoria Thompson assisted by Davis and Humber. Up 3-0 after the first period, it was what this team needed as you would expect the fatigue would set in at some point in the game. The second period was much like the first, with Reese Baillargeon scoring her second goal of the season, assisted by Davis and Humber. That is the way the 3rd period started, with the Predators up 4-0. Not long after that, the wheels fell off for the Predator's and the Tecumseh team was able to score 3 goals in the 3rd period to close the gap. However, the Preds held on, winning the game with a final score of 4-3.
Next up was a pivotal game in the points standings. With the SCP Team Blue and Essex Thunder tied in 3rd place, the winner of this game would solidify their positioning, with each team only having one game left on their schedules. This was also a much anticipated rematch from their previous game in the Lakeshore tournament, which went to a sudden death overtime, with the Thunder pulling out the victory.
It was apparent from their on ice warmups that each team knew the importance of this game, and you could sense that this was already turning into a rivalry. When the puck dropped, the predators were able to push the game to Essex. Team Blue was able to control the offensive zone time, and create several scoring chances. At 7:53 of the 1st period, Sophie Gobbo was able to bat the puck into the next on a goal mouth scramble that saw several Preds have a whack at the puck. With assists going to Blair Davis and Reese Baillargeon, the Preds were up 1-0 just like that. Although the Preds were still playing their game and applying the pressure, one mistake could cost them. That is what happened only 50 seconds after the Preds goal, when Essex scored on a shot by an unchallenged player. The resilience of the Thunder team was apparent, and you could tell this would be a long game.
The second and third periods saw end to end action, with good team play by both sides. The Preds were able to get through with more shots on goal, but a few missed opportunities and great goaltending kept them from putting another goal on the scoreboard. In the end, the game finished a 1-1 tie.
Overall, this was another great weekend of games for the SCP Team Blue. Although they tied their Essex rival, they still kept pace in the standings and have a good chance to finish in 3rd place with only 1 game remaining. That game will be a matinee on December 17th against a first time opponent, Lakeshore Lightning Blue, at the ATC.
GO BLUE!