Friday February 1, 2013
Game Reporter: Jay Nijhuis
This reporter wishes he could tell you that he prefers the frigid cold temperatures of Southern Ontario and loves the sight of his own breath in a frosty arena, but that would be a bit of a white lie. Apologies for neglecting my duties the last couple of weekends but I was on a work trip in Jamaica broadcasting live from Sandals Resorts. The only thing on the island as cold as the RIM Park Arena was the ice in my Rum Punch.
It has been awhile since we faced off against the
Lowe's Home Improvement squad but this game was very important as
Team Allstate was trying desperately to hold onto its 1 point lead in the standings over Lowe's so they couldn't afford a loss tonight.
It was a pretty evenly played first period with both teams having their fair share of chances.
Jack L. was only forced to make one big save in the first period but it was a huge one and the score after the first period was 0-0.
Team Allstate Insurance got on the scoreboard first about 2:30 minutes into the second period. Captain
Joe V. grabbed a loose puck behind the
Lowe's net and threw it out front to
Liam J. who managed to slip into into the far side corner of the net on the second whack to make it 1-0 for the boys in black and that is how the second period ended.
Lowe's Home Improvement managed to tie the game early in the third period on a strange goal.
Jack L. made a couple of great saves on a scramble in front of the net. The puck ended up behind
Team Allstates goal and it was centered in front just as
Joe V. tried to slide and block it. Unfortunately, the puck actually hit his skate and went into the net tying the score 1-1.
Just 6 minutes later, Team
Lowes Home Improvement took a 2-1 lead as they were on the Power Play. They won a faceoff to the left of goaltender
Jack L. and took a quick wrist shot beating him low blocker. At that point it was looking pretty bleak for the boys in black, but the Refs decided to finally give
Team Allstate a Power Play of their own and with just 3:54 remaining in the third period,
Liam J. banged in his second goal of the night cleaning up the garbage in front of the net.
The final 2 minutes of the game was all
Team Allstate with multiple breakaways and 2 on 1's but the
Lowe's goalie stood strong and helped his team hold on for a
2-2 final score. The boys in black play again Saturday February 2/13 at 7:30am vs
BJC Architects at Albert McCormick arena in Waterloo.