When last you heard from this reporter the Lucan Novice Green team was finishing off their regular season.
Since then the boys have really taken flight. Green ended the regular season with two games in the final weekend. Lucan White, the cross town rivals, and then Lucan would play St. Marys 1; another rival that Lucan has not been able to solve this year. In the first game Lucan had a great game against a tough white team. Lucan Green fought hard against their practice mates in all ends of the rink, and in the end was the victor of the match. Player of the game went to Carter L who potted a goal and an assist.
Next game was a great one for Lucan, taking on St. Mary’s 1 the boys played their hearts out. Shutting down the offense from St. Mary’s all game. When they did get shots James V. was up for the task. Lucan outshot and outplayed St. Mary’s but a lucky bounce and some amazing saves from the St. Mary's goalie had the boys lose a close one by a score of 1-0. This was a very complete game from each and every player and that’s why the player of the game went to everyone. You guys are awesome!
Next up was the Play-offs, Green was in a round robin series with Dorchester 2 and Mt. Brydges Blue. First up was Dorchester and wow were the boys on fire. Lucan got off to a 5-0 lead just half way through the game. They were dominating the play in every zone. After that the boys let off a little it seemed and Dorchester pounced at the opportunity, scoring three quick goals to make the score 5-3. Lucan and Dorchester would each score once more and when the final buzzer sounded Lucan had their first playoff win 6-4. Player of the game went to Dylan F. scoring 3 and adding two assists.
Next game was again against Dorchester this was a midweek game and the boys got off to a quick start with Gordon "Gary Roberts" L. burying the first goal in his office. Dorchester then took the play to Green scoring 3 unanswered goals. Lucan had 10 minutes to get back in the game and dug deep. Ben F. got Lucan to within one on a nice solo effort making the game 3-2. Green then looked to find the equalizer and with 40 seconds left in the game, Ben F. fed a great pass to Dylan F. who deked the goalie and buried into the empty net. The game would end 3-3. Great comeback kids…..that’s playoff Hockey!!! Player of the game went to Ben F. who played his best game of the year earning a goal and an assist and shutting down the other team’s forwards. Great work Ben.
Lucan would host Mt. Brydges Blue next and one more win and the boys were off to the finals. If you came late to this one you missed two goals in the first minute. Green got off to their customary quick start. Dylan F. scored on a nice pass from Carter L. Blue responded quickly with one of their own and at 9:04 of the first it was 1-1. Tyler F. was next up on the score sheet with Carter L and Dylan F. drawing the assists. Not to be outdone Carter H. scored a nice goal on yet another pass from Carter L. Mt. Brydges would score one in the second and at the end of two Lucan was up 3-2. Starting the third Ben F. would score in his second straight game with Gordon L getting the assist. Blue would respond a couple minutes later to keep the game close but Dylan F. would put the game out of reach and win 5-3. Player of the game went to Carter H. who scored a beauty and had a strong game all over the ice. Great work Carter!
The boys were off to the finals but not before one more game with Mt. Brydges. This game took play on Sunday at 9:15, the same time the men Olympic game was being played, the team watched the first period at home and quickly rushed to Komoka to get to the game. The lobby was packed with parents and kids glued to the TV to watch Team Canada beat Sweden. This was a good example for the boys on team work and the kids were ready to go. Blue would score first and had a great game looking to avenge the lose just the day before. Lucan would tie the game up before the end of the first on a goal from Dylan F. Blue was determined to get past Lucan Green for the first time this season and scored two quick one to make ti 3-1. Then a special moment occurred within the Green team. Dylan F. would take a shot going off the post and Mason G. would bury home the rebound for his first goal of the year. Way to go Mason. Blue was just too much for Lucan on this day and won the game 3-2. Player of the game went to Mason G. scoring his first goal but also playing a well-rounded game. Keep up the great work Mason.
The boys now draw the Belmont Rangers in the final and played the first game this Saturday. Thirty two seconds in Lucan was on the board. Dylan F. scored on a great passing play from Tyler F. and Carter L. The Rangers scored a minute later to tie the game at 1. The boys then took it to Belmont scoring 3 more goals in the next 10 minutes Dylan F. scored with Carter L., Tyler F. and Joel M. earning the assists. Belmont was not going down without a fight and played a strong game chipping away at the lead on a goal with 1 minute left in the second. The third period saw the boys play a defensive game, getting some offensive chances but they also looked to stop the Rangers from scoring. Belmont would score another one with 6 seconds left but Lucan would squeak out the win at the final buzzer. Belmont played a great game and the Green machine will have to be on their game if they want to win the series. Great first game boys, keep up the hard work. Player of the game went to James V. who made an unbelievable glove save with a couple minutes left that in hind sight save the game for us. Keep it up James.
We are firing on all cylinders now. Defense of Joel, Bobby, Carson and Aiden have been doing a great job of limiting the chances of the other teams forwards, winning the battles down low and passing the puck up to the forwards. Forwards Ty, Carter L, Carter H, Ben, Gordon, Mason, and Dylan have been great at putting the puck in the net, scoring the tough goals on rebounds and finally doing a great job at coming back and helping the defence. In net James V. has been stellar, his improvement in goal this year has been great to watch. Great work boys!
Green plays in Belmont on Friday at 6pm in game two of the series, wish the boys luck!