Will publish a post on my own game later this week, hopefully will have got my hands on a bit of video by then.
We played our final game of the Summer Season on Sunday night, skating out 5-1 victors over the Sharks. It was a good upbeat way for us to end an outwardly mediocre season, one where ended up sixth on a ladder of seven and almost three games out of the playoffs. The only team we didn't beat in our three meetings with them was the Redwings, the only teams we beat twice were the Flyers and the Rangers. We ended up second in penalty minutes, fourth on goals-for, third best on goals-against. In losing this game the Sharks remained in fourth position heading into the playoffs. If they'd won they'd be second.
We had twelve skaters to their eight. Twelve is a very big number for us, it allowed us to run three lines with three D (Tom playing Centre on the third line, rather than as my usual D partner). The rest of the team and the coaches (Justine and, on Sunday and one other occasion during the season when she couldn't be there, Christian) seem content to repose faith in a three D set up when opportunity or need dictate. On this occasion it was opportunity knocking, as we had a surfeit of wingers and only needed Tom to play centre to make the third line.
The alternative would have been to play with two wing positions rotating and four D. This conservative option would have given the senior players more ice time (but exhausted them more), and allowed us to recatch our breath in defence. It would also have meant that Lachy and Beau would have been playing short minutes in the final game of their rookie seasons. The fact that we were playing for the fun of it and even had agreed a number of half formed plans to swap positions and try new roles in the third period (which we only decided not to do in the second intermission) made it even more inviting to go the whole hog and run maximum lines. I'm glad we did it, for all of the above reasons.
In the first period I was on the ice for over ten minutes, and the same in the periods following. Our average ice time as defenders was twice that of the forwards. Fair enough, theirs might be more 'active' than defensively 'reactive', but it's still one of the great benefits of playing defence - more ice time. It takes a noticeable toll by third period, however, what with recovery periods between shifts being less than half that of the shifts themselves. I noticed that I was using whistled stops of play for an aerobic recharge from the second period, and that my muscles had gone into 'slow' mode by about half way through the third. There was muscle tiredness almost straight away, and fatigued and mildly sore muscles the day following. It would be unsustainable to keep going like that long term, but boy was it fun on the night!
Tom opened the scoring within the first five minutes and we proceeded to attack vigorously for the remainder. We got caught out on a one man rush in the final seconds and one of their guns skated around a sluggish me and placed a beautiful shot in the top far corner. I was on for both of these goals.
The second period was marked by three penalties against them and a mighty goal by Lachy. His joy was triumphant and very open, one of the best celebrations I've seen for its honest exuberance. We led 2-1.
In the third period we overran them, scoring another three goals. The third goal came within two minutes, the fourth from the following centre faceoff, and the third eleven minutes later. I was on for all of them. Also drew a penalty on Phil with ninety seconds on the clock, though I wasn't aware of it at the time. 5-1 Knights.
There were quite a few features of our game which seemed to click in this game. We won most of the faceoffs, Tommy was seeing things really good in goal, everyone was playing their role and covering their position, or their team mate's when needed, no confusion when changing on the fly, everyone was keeping their heads up and the passes were connecting. It felt like we were playing as a team. I was told by a friend and by family in the stands that it had looked like a good team game. Even, our best ever. It showed what we are capable of.
The official shot clock was 18-14, but I think we had more on net than that and might have even doubled their tally. Shannon was in their goal and stopped some very good shots. A number hit the post also. Offensively, very good.
It was good feelings in the change rooms afterwards, and a good core intends returning next season. A great way to end our season!
GP 17 G 0 A 0 Pts 0 -9 7/9/1
Ice 20
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