On January 2nd, PWA Clippers ended the holiday play once again using practice ice to host Whitby Wildcats as exhibition guests.
Play was tight throughout the game, with Matthews keeping the gates shut against the offensive power of the Wildcats through to the third period.
Clippers managed some good offensive strikes, but the score remained 0-0 until the Wildcats capitalized on a puck-bobble behind the blue line, allowing a single Whitby player to out-maneuverthe netminder, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 advantage. With still 9 minutes of play to go, things still looked hopeful, but as the time ticked down, it seemed likely that the Clippers would be shut out on this evening. In the last minute of play, Clippers were given a power play advantage, and with 6 on 4 the dying minutes saw a few tense moments as the puck hurtled toward the empty net, but missed. In the dying seconds, Messner (#2) managed one last shot on goal from the top of the circle, and in one of those rarified moments of suspended animation, the puck hit the back of the net a second before the final buzzer! What a moment!
For the absolute first time of the season, Coach Joe was captured on the bench with a SMILE on his face.
With a few minutes remaining on the curfew, and with some negotiation with the officials, the teams agreed to shoot-out action. Clippers managed 2 for 2 against the Wildcat netminder (scored by Tratnik #7 and Gunathunge #17), while Matthews stood tall and blanked both of Whitby's attempts. Not your classic win, but a fun way to settle the score and end the holiday play.
Thanks to M. Vasconcellos (wearing #13) and B. Krabi (#16) for coming up to support the team on short notice as AP's.
It's back to school tomorrow and back to practice to sharpen the playbook and get ready for playoff action.
Happy New Year to All! See you at the rink.
