Friday, March 02, 2007

Five Times - Two

The series against Cobourg continues Sunday night, this time in Cobourg at Jack Hannen Arena.

Our players are focused. The talk in the dressing room is all about the game. They want to put Cobourg away tonight. It's do-or-die for the Cobourg team. A loss tonight means their season is over. Neither team is going to lie down.

Cobourg is a fast squad. Rarely will you find their players out of position. They execute the fundamentals with precision. I wouldn't stand in there with the Cobourg forwards bearing down.
Fans are treated to a repeat of the morning's game. Great work at both ends. The Dolphins are outshot by Cobourg, but still forcing the turnovers, taking chances and keeping pressure on the Cobourg goalie. Becca is rock-solid between the pipes.

The hometown fans are calling to the refs for a penalty again. Given the seating arrangement at this arena, I can't give them my over-the-shoulder "What, are you crazy?" look. They'll never understand how much they've been spared.

Funny though, the Cobourg fans complain about their home referees as much as they complained about the Toronto referees earlier. As the emotions in the home stands escalate, this loud fan gets a little quieter. When a Cobourg player has her knees in Liz's helmet, the home fans say that is just how the game is played. When a Cobourg player is on the bottom of a pile of bodies, they're calling for a penalty against our goalie! Perspective is everything.

Both teams are getting away with contact, interference, and some hooking is ignored. In that respect, the refereeing is balanced.

Just over 5 minutes to go in the game and the puck takes a bounce in front of Becca and slips into the net. Later, on a line change, the puck sneaks across the line.

Final score 2-0. Series tied.

Photo credit: John Krieger


Round 2 v Cobourg


Tags:

No comments: