Game 7: Avengers vs. Picton Prinzen Ford
Ok, lets start off by saying things didn't exactly start out on the best note Saturday morning. The QW schedule indicated the Avengers were playing the Picton Prinzen Ford team in Picton. Wrong !! The game was actually at Wellington Arena 20 mins away from Picton arena. After scrambling the team, navigating through Wellingtons Santa Clause parade the Avengers arrived in Wellington at 10:00 am for their 10:00 am game. Thankfully Wellington arena has plenty of spare ice time given it's location and the team was given some grace time to get dressed and hit the ice. A huge thank you to the parents, team members, Picton Coaches and Ref's for pulling off the near impossible, you all are amazing.
Just to finish off that first part, the team manager will be verifying the location of Avengers away games on the hockey website of the team we are competing against. We really don't want a repeat of what happened with Picton/Wellington ever again.
Now, with that out of the way ... Oh my goodness Avengers !!! You did it again !!! Another game that had everyone at the edge of their seats in pure disbelief of how great of a hockey game you all played. Lets start with the first period. The Avengers Goalie Sean-Ryan, what more can we say ... Great game Mr. Goalie! You certainly pulled off some incredible saves through-out the game which made a huge difference in the overall game. The Avengers were getting up to speed during the first period and although the Avengers did not score during the first, the team worked well together after a crazy morning of hectic running around. Picton Prinzen Ford scored a single goal at 6:08 of the first period and the Avengers knew there was plenty of game left to be played. It didn't distract them one bit. The Avengers were putting a lot of shots on the Picton goalie but the Picton goalie was in good form and the shots that didn't go over the net were stopped by the goalie.
The Second period was when the Avengers started to get in the groove. The game was well matched as the Prinzen Ford team from Picton was in the Avengers zone as often as the Avengers were in Picton's zone. It was a very back and forth game for all three periods. At 4:37 of the second period the Avengers finally got one past the Picton goalie which they worked hard for. The Goal was scored by Matthew and assisted by Damien and Kaelan. After so many shots the Avengers were excited to get on the board. The game was now tied 1-1. It remained that way until the third. The Avengers defense and goalie were working well together to keep Picton from gaining a large lead, nice work Avengers !!
In the third period the action really became incredible, both teams were working for the win, they were putting it all out on the ice. At 8:35 of the third period the Picton team scored another goal to take the lead 2-1. Then at 6:43 of the third the Avengers answered Picton's goal and scored to tie the game 2-2. The Avengers goal was scored by Gavin and assisted by Mason and Damien. (Damien's second assist of the game, way to go Damien) Then at 4:28 of the third period Picton snuck one by Sean-Ryan to give Picton the lead again 3-2. Once again everyone in the arena knew this was going to be a classic Avengers exciting game. The clock was counting down and everyone was on the edge of their seat. Were the Avengers going to give all the adults in the arena heart conditions once again?
Absolutely ! With just 40 second to go in the third period the Avengers grabbed another goal to tie the game once again. It was now 3-3 with the third period winding down. Avenger third goal was scored by Mason and assisted by Noah and Gavin! What a great group of forwards the Avengers have this year!
Now it is worth noting that the real heart stopper for the entire Avengers bench and Avengers fans was in the last 5 seconds of the game. Gavin takes off on a break away, the clock was counting down. It was like everything was moving in slow motion at this point. Would Gavin beat the clock, would he beat the goalie ?? Gavin is flying down the ice, Picton team is chasing him hard, Gavin gets across Picton's blue line, a quick look at the clock and there is only a couple seconds left. Gavin enters the top of the face off circle in front of the Picton goalie, he sizes up the Picton goalie and takes the shot !!! Just as the puck is about reach the goalie the buzzer sounds to end the period and the puck went in the net !!! The Picton goalie made a huge attempt to stop that last shot but it made its way past. If Gavin had one more second on the clock he would have certainly scored the game winning goal...
Gavin that was a nice effort and way to never give up ! It goes to show the game is not over until the final buzzer sounds and the Avengers worked the ice for every millisecond. Great Effort Avengers, The coaches, parents and the fans are all very proud of the game you played! Games like that don't come along often in the hockey world but the Avengers have a knack for making every moment of their games pure excitement. The game ended in a 3-3 tie which was well earned by both teams. The Picton team was a great team to play and the Avengers look forward to meeting them on the ice again. All the Avengers defense, forwards and goalie are all showing exceptional skill and team work on the ice and play with respect and honor. What a great game by a great team!