LCAHL Playoff Game #3

In the early minutes of the first period it seemed as though the FireCats were going to have an easy go of things today, as they opened up the scoring with a beautiful pass through the crease that was tapped in for a goal at the 13:00 minute mark. Less than two minutes later a scramble in front of the net gave the FireCats a 2-0 lead when the puck was jarred loose from the crowd and tipped behind the goalie. Things settled down after the early FireCats attack. Despite their consistent effort on the offensive end, the IceCats goalie stepped up to make some big saves to keep his team in the game. With just over three minutes remaining the IceCats got their best look of the game, converting a pass from behind the net with a wrist shot that snuck past the FireCats goalie, making the game 2-1. That would be it for the period, as time would expire before any more damage could be done.

There wasn't a ton to report on in the second period. The two teams traded some quality looks on net, but neither team was able to convert. Drew found himself in the penalty box, serving a 2:00 minute penalty for too many men on the ice (for which he wasn't even involved in), which resulted in the only goal of the period. The IceCats took advantage of the extra man advantage to tie the game at 2-2 with a shot from the circle that was deflected into the FireCats goal. That would be the lone goal of the period, and the two teams would head into the final intermission with 15 minutes to decide the outcome.

After a quick offensive outburst from the FireCats at the beginning of the game, things settled into a defensive battle between the two Novi teams. For the majority of the third period it appeared as though this evening's game was going to end in a tie. Finally, with less than four minutes remaining, the tie was broken, as a FireCats forward circled behind the net with the puck, and fired a wrister from the circles past the IceCats goalie to grab a 3-2 lead. Thankfully for the FireCats fans and players, that would be it for the scoring. The 3-2 victory over the IceCats moved the FireCats to 3-0 in the LCAHL playoffs. Great job FireCats!

Novi FireCats LCAHL Playoff Game #3 - at Novi IceCats

Drew and his Novi FireCats teammates...

...gathered around the net prior to the start of the game.

Drew skating with the puck along the end boards...

...and looking up for an open teammate...

...and passing the puck ahead.

Drew standing on the blue line to keep the puck in the zone.

Drew skating with the puck.

Drew moving behind the goal line...

...and sending the puck along the boards...

...and keeping an eye on it as it slides along the ice.

Drew keeping an eye on the puck while in a crowd.

Drew settling down the puck...

...and bringing it up the ice.

Drew and his teammate lined up for a faceoff.

Drew losing an edge...

...and going down into the boards.

Drew slapping the puck out of the zone.

Drew watching the puck while patrolling the blue line.

Drew stepping up on an IceCats player at center ice...

...and poking the puck away.

Drew getting in the way of an onrushing IceCats player.

Drew playing the puck along the boards.

Drew sharing a laugh with a coach on the bench.

Drew turning up ice with the puck.

Drew playing the puck behind the net.

The final score resulted in a 3-2 victory in the all-important rubber match against the Novi IceCats.

Drew congratulating his goalie on a game well played.

Drew and his Novi FireCats teammates going through the post-game handshake line.