Playoff Game 2

Drew and his '05 Storm teammates returned to the ice for the second playoff game of the season today, facing off against a foe that they played twice during the regular season. The two teams split their previous matchups, with each taking the win on their home ice. Today's game looked like as though the Storm was going to have a chance to reverse that trend, as they scored two goals in the opening period while played strong both on defense and in the net. They continued to play strong throughout the period, and managed to take that 2-0 lead into the intermission.

The Storm team added a third goal early into the second period, opening up a big 3 goal lead. The way they were playing gave a sense that they were going to be able to hang on to this one. Although the Mavericks scored the next one to make it a 2 goal game again, the Storm was up to the task, answering right back moments later to reclaim the 3 goal lead. The Mavericks would net another goal before the period expired, but the Storm team still held a good 4-2 lead with 15 minutes to play.

The third period didn't go exactly according to plan... the Mavericks scored the first goal of the period, making it a 4-3 game with plenty of time remaining. A turnover left Drew back as the only defenseman in the play, and unfortunately the opposing player cut across him. Drew's reaction was to reach out with his sticks, which meant a pretty vicious hit across the opposing players chest. The refs ruled it a hit to the head, meaning that Drew got removed from the ice for not only the remainder of this game, but he would also be forced to sit out the next game as well. Although it didn't appear to me that he hit the player in the head, the hit was still wildly inappropriate, and he deserved to be removed from the game (though missing the next game seemed unnecessary). Drew's hit left the team shorthanded for the remainder of the game, and the Mavericks took advantage of their momentum, scoring two goals late. This wound up being another game that the ice time ended before the game clock did, and when that buzzer sounded the Storm was once again on the wrong end of the scoreboard, having suffered a 5-4 defeat in a heartbreaking loss.

'05 Lapeer Storm LCAHA Playoffs Game 2 - at Macomb Mavericks
	Drew and his teammates listening to their head coach prior to the start of the game.
	Drew on the ice in his defensive spot for the opening faceoff.
	Drew playing the puck along the boards in the corner.
	Drew lining up a pass...
	...and moving the puck ahead to a couple of teammates.
	Drew going after the puck along the boards once again.
	Drew going after the puck, knocking it out of the opponents offensive zone.
	Drew getting a pat on the head from his coach after making a good play.
	Drew out on the ice for a shorthanded faceoff.
	Drew taking the puck away from a Mavericks player...
	...and turning around with it.
	Drew lining up a shot...
	...and firing away at the goal.
	Drew watching the puck as he skates down the ice.
	Drew skating back on defense, keeping his eye on the puck in front of him.
	Drew playing the puck along the boards.
	Drew was pretty distraught after taking his penalty. Here the ref is trying to get his attention to tell him he had to leave the ice for the remainder of the game.

'05 Lapeer Storm LCAHA Playoffs Game 2 - at Macomb Mavericks

Drew and his teammates listening to their head coach prior to the start of the game.

Drew on the ice in his defensive spot for the opening faceoff.

Drew playing the puck along the boards in the corner.

Drew lining up a pass...

...and moving the puck ahead to a couple of teammates.

Drew going after the puck along the boards once again.

Drew going after the puck, knocking it out of the opponents offensive zone.

Drew getting a pat on the head from his coach after making a good play.

Drew out on the ice for a shorthanded faceoff.

Drew taking the puck away from a Mavericks player...

...and turning around with it.

Drew lining up a shot...

...and firing away at the goal.

Drew watching the puck as he skates down the ice.

Drew skating back on defense, keeping his eye on the puck in front of him.

Drew playing the puck along the boards.

Drew was pretty distraught after taking his penalty. Here the ref is trying to get his attention to tell him he had to leave the ice for the remainder of the game.