Feb 21, 2015 | Patrick Watson | 613 views
Playoff Round 1, Game 4
Sorry for taking a few extra hour before posting this write up. I had to sit down and catch my breath and let the blood pressure drop a bit after that incredible battle. Before the game upon my arrival at the arena I walked in to the ice area outside the dressing room and there was a huge banner saying GO COUGARS GO hanging high above the visitors bench complete with everyone's name and numbers for everyone to see. Ok we are off to a great start.............
Thanks to the Abbey family and there amazing hockey spirit for making this great banner. I have a good picture I'll post.
This game was very similar to game 3 in many ways. We came out strong and everyone was hustling and working hard. The play was end to end with chances at both ends. After 1 period of play the score was 0-0. In period 2 both goalies continued playing well. Finally just after the half way point in the 2nd Cole Abbey opened the scoring with a great goal assisted by Quin Wardell. Boy these two guys are really doing some great things with their chemistry and excellent passing. The 2nd period ended with the score 1-0.
Cole Abbey came out flying early in the 3rd period and scored his 2nd of the game after only 21 seconds of play in the 3rd. We kept his forward line out after this goal hoping to captialize on the adrenaline rush going on. Sure enough, only 22 seconds later Cole Abbey went flying down the ice and scored his 3rd goal of the game making it 3-0 with 9:17 left to play. We were playing great but Aylmer was not about to lay down and let us run down the clock. With 5:56 left on the clock Aylmer scored after a weird bounce. This goal got their adrenaline flowing a bit and only 13 seconds later they buried their 2nd goal to narrow the gap to 1. This was really starting to look like the last game when we gave up or 3 goal lead and had to settle for a tie. At this point in the game we had a tiger by the tail. They were pressing hard and we were having trouble clearing the puck out of our zone. Diaz stepped up to the plate and made some incredible saves to keep us up by one goal. Aylmer was like a swarm of mad African bees trying to sting us but Diaz stood up to the challenge and kept the puck out of our net for what seemed like an eternity. Finally the clock buzzed and game 4 was a hard earned victory for the good guys.
Congratulations to Diaz Doxtator for one of his best games yet and our Heart & Hustle Award winner, Cole Abbey for scoring a hat trick. Cole you work so hard every shift and you never give up.:-) ....keep up the great work!
Another notable performance today and throughout the last half of the season is from Keely MacLeod. It is no accident she was moved up to the first line today. Your hard work and determination is really great to watch. You have come so far this season Keely, keep it up. The team as a whole worked very hard and I don't think it would be fair to ask for more out of these kids. If we are going to win this series we need another outstanding performance form everyone tomorrow. Rest up and we will see you back in Aylmer tomorrow.
Coach Pat