Feb 10, 2019 | RNyenhuis | 632 views
Aces Succeed in first Crack at the Heat in LLFHL Division Quarters
Flanny Freezes the Heat's Multiple Breaks While Blain Buries Game Winner
The Rod Smith Financial Novice B Aces drove deep into the solitude of Huron County and to its' social and cultural hub of Blyth Sunday morning to start the first game of the best of three LLFHL Central West Quarter Finals. With a solid road crowd on hand and a new attitude formed deep in the heart of the entire squad, the Aces took their play at the Blyth arena straight to the Heat. Despite being down 3 points to the Heat in the regular season and 0-2 in the season series the Aces came and dominated the Heat punishing the Heat net from the outset and keeping the puck deep in the Heat zone from excellent defensive pinches and strong puck battles on the boards. The pinching play left the Ace D vulnerable on three occasions as the Heat forwards penetrated the Aces going in alone on Flanny who stood tall backstopping the breaks with confidence. The new Ace attitude of playing forcing the Heat to play through the Aces kept the Heat away from Ace D of the game Reese Flanagan while providing breakouts for the Aces throughout. Deadlocked in a scoreless draw into the third, the Ace offensive pressure would begin to tax the Heat as a relentless attack from the Porter, Cameron, Blain line forced a loose puck to Ace O of the game Kiera Blain in the slot where she buried it without a fault putting the gunners up 1-0. The Heat knew what was on the line; the first stake in the heart of LLFHL playoffs, and unbeaten streak against their neighbouring foes and home ice pride, they took took it to the Aces putting them on their heels with an attack with the clock ticking down. The Ace D was ready and poised using their sticks, their bodies and the boards to not let the Heat get close to their net. The Heat's push would however cripple their defense allowing Emerie Smith to bang in a rebound from a Niahm Appel wrister set up by Charlee MacFarlane putting the Aces up 2-0. Empty net insurance from Jule Cameron would solidify the first game and a solid start on the road to the LLFHL final.
With the Heat on the ropes the Rod Smith Aces look to sweep the series on home ice Saturday at 11:45 at the Rotary Arena.