He Shoots....He SCORES!!!!!!!

Hockey results were a bit mixed this weekend. The boys played a non-league game at the Battle Creek Bruins on Saturday night. We were up 3-0 early but they battled back and tied it up 3-3 midway through the game. Then, BC scored in the third period but Trevor got a breakaway and tied it up 4-4. With time running out, BC put on some serious pressure but the boys held them off. They had the puck deep in our zone and at one point, one of their players was coming around from behind the net for a game-winning wraparound and Nathan got there just before the BC player and knocked it away to save the game! That happened with 20.5 seconds left (I know because I immediately looked at the clock thinking... they were about to win the game right there). Anyway, the game ended in a tie. The kids skated well enough to win but couldn't seal it.

Then, this morning, we hosted East Kentwood who we'd beaten 3-1 at their place last month. They were a good team back then and showed they were even better now. Our boys have really be skating well the last few games and are doing a great job of attacking the puck. Nathan has been itching to score a goal all season. He's had a lot of chances but hasn't been able to sneak one by the goalie. Today was different though. We were down 2-1 and Trevor was off on a break-away. Nathan and a defender were right behind him and they were all skating at top speed. Trevor tried to go high, glove side. The goalie made the stop and Nathan was right on the rebound. He got some good wood on the shot and the goalie got a piece of it but Nate shot it hard enough that it deflected up and over the goalie and into the net to tie the game at 2-2. We went NUTS!!! Everyone has been rooting for him to get his first Squirt goal and he's been skating really hard. He definitely earned it. He learned today that it pays to "crash the net". He actually had a couple other chances for goals today but they couldn't find the net. We ended up losing 3-2. Another good game that could have gone either way.

Coach Lou made it a point to give Nate the game puck and now he's planning on using some of his saved money to buy a little display case for it (too funny..). The team manager made sure to get a picture of Nate with his puck after the game for us. It's below (click to enlarge). Next weekend will be tough. We play two very good teams (Cadillac and Ludington). Go Hawks!