Never count the Ridge Meadows Rustlers out.
It's a lesson that the 麻豆社国产Eagles Midget Rep hockey team knows all too well after falling 3-1 to them on Sunday (Nov. 7).
The Rustlers scored three unanswered goals late in the third period to capture the victory and stun the Eagles. 麻豆社国产head coach Joe Webber noted that it was a "weird game," but he gave Ridge Meadows full marks for the victory.
"That team played really hard," he said of the visitors. "They were disciplined and took advantage of their opportunities. We really should have had the game won earlier but just didn't get the job done."
The Eagles came out flying early on, with Kevyn Sander nearly scoring on a partial breakaway minutes into the first period. 麻豆社国产had two power play opportunities in the first but failed to convert.
Their best chance with the man advantage came when Sander and team captain Jacob Dickau combined on a give and go, but Dickau was stymied by the Rustlers goalie.
The first period ended with the two teams locked in a scoreless tie.
麻豆社国产got into penalty trouble in the second but their penalty killing was superb, killing off a five-on-three opportunity early into the second frame.
Squamish's Will Finlay and Issin Chiyasu had a glorious two-on-one chance while shorthanded but the Rustlers goalie turned them aside.
Eagles goalie Jhuty Lyndon was strong in the home net - as Ridge Meadows began playing more aggressive offensively in the second, he was up to the task.
Late in the second, Sander took an unsportsmanlike penalty for talking back to the official, which cost the Eagles their sportsmanship point and he rode the pine for most of the third as a result.
Just like the first period, both goalies stole the show and neither team made a dent on the scoreboard.
The third period finally saw the goose egg broken when Jonathon Fairfax spun and fired wildly at the net from the far hash marks, fooling the goalie who wasn't anticipating a shot.
The prayer of a shot put the Eagles up 1-0 and it seemed like smooth sailing from there. However, Ridge Meadows turned it on after sloppy play in the defensive zone cost the Eagles and then capitalized on two untimely pinches by 麻豆社国产defence to take a three-goal lead.
The goals were scored in rapid fashion and seemed to stun the Eagles who failed to mount a comeback. Coach Webber said the team wasn't moving the puck around enough against Ridge Meadows.
"I thought we started to play a little selfish after we scored," he said. "Too many guys were trying to run around and we didn't look for the open man enough."
Despite the set back, Webber still feels good about the team heading into the regular season.
"I think we're going to be a competitive team," he said, noting that the team's tiering games are now complete.
"We're right there as far as talent goes but it's more the mental aspect with these guys."
The home portion of the regular season will start for the team against an opponent still to be determined on Sunday (Nov. 14) at the Brennan Park Arena. Face-off for the game is scheduled for 6 p.m.
