Submitted by Mark Langridge
After a strong Collingwood Tourney the 98 Icesharks were determined to make their mark at the 2009 Northshore Challenge cup. The opening game against Xcelerate Hockey out of Belmont Ontario proved to be a tough starter for the Icesharks. The team played well and the 5-1 score did not reflect the hard work of the Icesharks. The breaks were not going our way and the Xcelerate goalie played very well. It was not until late in the game that we were able to break the Xcelerate shutout.
Next up was Total Package Hockey (TPH) of Ontario. They also proved to be a strong
opponent and opened the scoring on a nice pass across the crease. Icesharks came
back to tie it but the period ended with TPH in the lead at 2-1. Both team's
goalies played a strong first period and the score could have easily been higher.
The second period started with the intensity of the first period. Adding to the
intensity was a TPH penalty shot that was caused by an Iceshark defensive breakdown
and resulted in the score being 3-1. The frustration was starting to be evident in
the Icesharks play as many chances were not going in. TPH scored late in the second
to make it 4-1. A slow start to the third period and penalties were a problem for
the Icesharks. Their game plan seemed to be breaking down and then a wrister from
the point found the top corner and put some life back into the team. TPH managed to
get some lucky bounces late in the period (off the back boards and a wrap around) to
end the scoring at 6-2 and another loss for the Icesharks.
In the third game, the Icesharks found themselves up against the Quick Feet Squad
out of Durham. Remembering their last game against each other, it was certain that
Quick Feet would come out strong, not wanting to have a repeat loss. An early
breakaway (caused by a blocked point shot) was evidence that Quick Feet came to
play. This was turned away by the Iceshark's goalie and the team never looked back.
The first period ended at 2-0 for the Icesharks but this could have been much
different as the penalty box doors kept swinging through the first period and both
teams played hard to hang on. Sensing a win, the Icesharks kept up the pressure in
the second and third periods. Great passing and good goal tending were the keys to
the Icesharks game and they found success in an 8-0 win over Quick Feet.
The successful third game gave the Icesharks the momentum they needed to go up
against the host Hitmen. The Icesharks battled hard in the first period but only to
find themselves down 3-0 until the Hitmen goalie was deked out of his jockstrap with
only 10 seconds left in the first period. This was the motivation the team needed
as they answered back in the second to go ahead 4-3. This included surviving a 5 on
3 penalty kill. The game intensity started to pick up and the frustration was
evident on the Hitmen's faces. Penalties plagued the rest of the second period. In
the third period, an early power play goal by the Hitmen tied the game and set the
stage for an exciting period. There was great end to end play and good pressure by
both teams. The Icesharks goalie stood on his head as he kept the team in the game.
Knowing that a tie would not give us a chance to be one of the top 4 teams to play
on Sunday, the coaches pulled the goalie. However, the Northshore Hitmen were able
to get an empty netter and end the game (and the season) at a 5-4 loss for the
Icesharks.
Despite the three losses in the tournament, the Icesharks proved once again that
they are competitive at this level of hockey. Thanks for the exciting hockey season
and the great memories.