October 26th, 2014              

    Today's game seemed like a grand opportunity for Drew and his '05 Lapeer Storm teammates to secure their first win of the season - on paper, this seemed like it would be a matchup of two closely matched teams. Neither had won over the course of the tournament, and goals allowed and scored were fairly similar. Unfortunately the games are played on the ice, and this game never really tilted in favor of the Storm. They gave up three goals before they could find the back of the net themselves, and from that point on it was two goals for the Jaguars and one for the Storm, two for the Jaguars and one for the Storm. The Jaguars netted an extra goal before the game ended in an 8-3 loss. Although it was their closest game of the tournament, it wasn't their best defensive effort. Drew also lacked a certain amount of effort today, as he appeared a step slow for a period and a half or so. He finally picked up his play halfway through the game, generating some scoring chances with some good passes and almost scoring a goal himself on a rebound that wound up under the goalie (although he didn't know he stopped the shot).

    While the outcome of the games didn't go the way anyone had hoped, there were signs of progress over the course of the three days in Sault Ste. Marie. The team bonded together on and off the ice, and their play has improved drastically since the beginning of the season. I am really hoping that we can manage to get Drew some skating lessons, as I see that as his biggest area of weakness at this time. He is light years ahead of where he was when he started this whole hockey endeavor, and Tara & I are very proud of all of his accomplishments - on and off the ice.

Boo In The Soo Consolation Game - at '05 Michigan Jaguars
	A look at the Taffy Abel Arena, home of the Lake Superior State University Lakers, and the site of this morning's hockey game.
	Drew making his way towards the ice surface.
	Drew on the bench with his coach and teammates.
	Drew watching and waiting to make an attempt to knock the puck away from an opposing player.
	Drew skating with the puck at center ice.
	Drew fighting for the puck along the boards.
	Drew and his coaches and teammates celebrating a goal.
	Drew poke-checking the puck away from a Jaguars player.
	Drew passing the puck ahead to an open teammate.
	Drew deflecting the puck into the air (it is barely visible - it is at his skate in this picture).
	Drew patrolling his end while playing defense during a penalty kill.
	Drew playing the puck along the boards while also...
	...trying to avoid a hit from an opposing player.
	A closer look at Drew as he waits for play to resume.
	Drew moving towards the puck along the boards.
	The final score of today's game was an 8-3 defeat.