Flyers give it their all at final home game

Mar 23, 2016

The stands were overflowing for the Novice Rep Flyers’ third game of the all-Ontario Novice CC finals. The Flyers, coming off back-to-back 6-1 losses to the Sturgeon Lake Thunder in Fenelon Falls, were back home at the Frontenac Community Arena on March 18 for the “do or die” game 3 of the series.

The amazing turnout of fans fired up the seven and eight-year-old players, who were looking for a win on Friday night.

The event opened with Ava Ludlow performing Oh Canada. Then, each team introduced their players to the enthusiastic, mostly orange-clad crowd who cheered, blew horns, rang whistles and bells, and banged tambourines in support of their home team.

Early in the first period, the Flyers came on strong, scoring the first goal just eight minutes in. After a tripping penalty was called on the Flyers, their defense kept the puck put of their zone and prevented the Thunder from tying up the game. Some very exciting back and forth play resulted in the Thunder scoring their first goal with just 50 seconds left in the period. But the Flyers, not wanting to go to the dressing room with the score knotted at 1, scored again a mere 15 seconds later, winning back their lead.

Early in the second, the Thunder skated hard and tied up the game 2-2. Four and a half minutes later, they snuck another one by the Flyers’ posts and took the lead for the first time in the game at 3-2. The Thunder then poured on the offense, and though the Flyers' goalie made a number of great saves, the Thunder offense persisted and scored, doubling their lead to 4-2 with just over nine minutes left in the period.

The Flyers managed to keep possession of the puck, but with under a minute left, the Thunder scored their fifth, leaving the Flyers further behind and desperate to turn the game around in the final frame.

The Flyers got a few great shots early on in the third and took advantage of a number of chances their shots went wide. The Flyers then took their second penalty of the game but held the Thunder at bay, winning them a round of applause from the crowd. The Flyers’ goalie made another great glove save, and with six minutes left in the third, the crowd started chanting “Go Flyers Go!” The Thunder finally managed to get another in the net, taking a four-goal lead with just minutes remaining in the game and the Flyers’ chances fading.

The Flyers still fought hard right to the end never letting up until the final buzzer sounded. In the end, although the Thunder swept the series the Flyers received a standing ovation from the crowd for their valiant effort. An amazing first season for this new team.