District Game 1

Based on the preseason scrimmage between these two teams, everyone associated with the FireCats knew this was going to be a challenging game. We were hoping that there would be improvements made throughout the season that would allow the FireCats to make a game of it, but that notion was quickly dispelled. Livingston got on the scoreboard less than three minutes into the contest, thanks to a questionable penalty that gave them a power-play. The FireCats hung tough for the rest of the period after settling down, but they couldn't find the back of the net to score the equalizer. Livingston tacked on another goal before the period ended, coming with only 18 seconds on the clock. Just like that, the FireCats found themselves in a 2-0 hole to start the second period.

Similar to the first, it was the Lightning scoring quickly, adding their third goal of the contest just over three minutes in. A second goal this period came a mere 62 seconds later, making it a 4-0 game. Once again the FireCats settled in, grabbing some scoring chances of their own and keeping the Lightning from expanding their lead. Unfortunately Livingston would add another goal before the period would end, making it a 5-0 game going into the final period.

The FireCats players would create some chances this period, but they were stymied by some stellar goaltending at every chance. Livingston would score the final goal of the game, making the score 6-0. A tough loss, but one they will have to put behind them quickly as District Game #2 is coming up on Thursday. Go FireCats!

Novi FireCats District Game #1 - at Livingston Lightning
	Drew joining his Novi FireCats teammates around the goal prior to the start of the game.
	Drew skating with the puck behind the net...
	...and stopping to avoid a Lightning player.
	Drew making his way towards the bench for a line change.
	Drew moving in to play the puck along the boards.
	Drew getting ready to make a pass ahead to a teammate.
	Drew battling for the puck along the boards.
	Drew colliding with a Livingston player (and knocking him down).
	Drew getting ready to fire the puck along the boards behind his net.
	Drew keeping an eye on the action in front of the net.
	Drew circling around the zone.
	Drew skating with the puck...
	...and carrying it through the zone...
	...before moving it towards a corner for his teammates to pick up.
	Drew playing the puck near center ice.
	Drew sliding to avoid crashing into the net.
	Drew having his stick held by a Lightning player.
	Drew raced down the ice to catch up to this Lightning skater...
	...and using his body to ride him off the puck.
	Drew protecting the front of the goal.
	Drew playing the puck behind the net.
	Drew lined up during a faceoff.
	Drew playing the puck along the boards.
	Drew got called for checking on this play... seemed pretty weak compared to a lot of the stuff they let go throughout the course of the game.
	Drew serving his time in the penalty box.
	The final score found the FireCats on the wrong end of a 6-0 score.
	Drew and the FireCats making their way through the postgame handshake line.

Novi FireCats District Game #1 - at Livingston Lightning

Drew joining his Novi FireCats teammates around the goal prior to the start of the game.

Drew skating with the puck behind the net...

...and stopping to avoid a Lightning player.

Drew making his way towards the bench for a line change.

Drew moving in to play the puck along the boards.

Drew getting ready to make a pass ahead to a teammate.

Drew battling for the puck along the boards.

Drew colliding with a Livingston player (and knocking him down).

Drew getting ready to fire the puck along the boards behind his net.

Drew keeping an eye on the action in front of the net.

Drew circling around the zone.

Drew skating with the puck...

...and carrying it through the zone...

...before moving it towards a corner for his teammates to pick up.

Drew playing the puck near center ice.

Drew sliding to avoid crashing into the net.

Drew having his stick held by a Lightning player.

Drew raced down the ice to catch up to this Lightning skater...

...and using his body to ride him off the puck.

Drew protecting the front of the goal.

Drew playing the puck behind the net.

Drew lined up during a faceoff.

Drew playing the puck along the boards.

Drew got called for checking on this play... seemed pretty weak compared to a lot of the stuff they let go throughout the course of the game.

Drew serving his time in the penalty box.

The final score found the FireCats on the wrong end of a 6-0 score.

Drew and the FireCats making their way through the postgame handshake line.