Game 3 Final, Winner Take All

Game 3 Final ,Winner Take  All
 
I'll say it again folks if you missed this one shame on you for six weeks!
 
Fans showed up early to enjoy some tailgating and a few pre game libations in the back parking lot of the LBR. The atmosphere at the Rink was like stepping back in time, rum row was packed, the who’s who of Hockey was on hand, The smell of stale beer and cheap cologne filled the air, the only thing missing was the cloud of second hand smoke hanging from the rafters! There have been some big tilts in this barn over the years, from the Kats / Blues & UNB / STU match ups ,but this one was as big if not bigger. This was playoff hockey & "Playoff hockey is not exactly hockey. It is hockey's older, snarling brother who just got out of prison."
 
The starting tender for the Lions was #30 Jaydon Chiasson, known affectionately by his teammates as JJ. Awesome. He had been stellar all year and with this being his last game at the Atom level it was fitting he got the call.  When asked what he likes about playing goal during a recent  interview he said “ I really don't like anything about it, I’m just really good at it. The only job worse is a javelin catcher at a track- and- field meet”
 
In a pregame appearance on SportsNet's Tim & Sid show , Coach Shepard was asked what was the key to winning tonight’s game. 

"We need to score more goals than the other team” …
A brilliant sports mind and technical coach to say the least.
 
The teams hit the ice and the DQ Blizzards came out strong, moving the puck like a well oiled machine, fast breakouts and pressure on the Lions had the Blizzards up 2-0 and the Lions were shaking their heads! Coach Ags called a time out and had had a chat with the boys , overheard on the bench…..Boys  You're playing worse every day and right now you're playing like the middle of next week! The message was sent and well received as the Lions answered on a beauty from # 18 Samson Mayo to make it 2-1.  The next tally came shortly thereafter when #10 Ryan Phillips fired a dandy past the DQ keeper on a hardworking play, Phillips was  smiling like a butcher’s dog when he went to the bench. He’s scored some big ones this year but that one was the biggest! Both teams skated hard and the defence core on both teams played tough. The Lions D were handing out checks like it was the first of the month! At  the end of the 3^rd the teams were tied and we were headed for OT. 
 
OT was exciting to say the least, and the Lions as they did all year spent the better part of it on the penalty kill thanks to a questionable to many men on the ice call. It was rather fitting  as earlier in the day League officials announced that they had received official status from the Guinness Book of World records and the 2015-16 Atom Lions are now recognized as the most penalized team in Atom Hockey History. Nothing to write home about but how often do you get in the record books! In the end the teams were tied at the end of the 5MIN OT……and you know what that means. The most exciting thing in hockey….the SHOOTOUT!
 
First Shooter for the Lions # 7 Matty Agar who looked like a smaller version of Patrick Kane hypnotizing the DQ tender with moves only  seasoned veteran could do , beating the tender short-side to give the Lions the lead. The next 4 shooters were turned aside by some great tending at both ends leaving DQ’s last shooter to keep their dreams alive. Jaxon Peirce one of the most feared snipers in the league was DQ’s last man standing, only one problem he had to beat JJ who was having no part of that plan. SAVE Chiasson! the LBR went wild. The NASIS ATOM LIONS were district 3 AA Champs!
 
In the dressing room after, the Gatorade flowed and players cheered and hugged each other as this could be the last time for a lot of these guys to play together. When Coach Ags was asked what he told his team before the game he simply said 
 
“When you pull on that jersey, you represent yourself and your teammates. And the name on the front is a hell of alot more important than the one on the back! Get that through your head!”
  
A rally for the team and showcase of he AA banner to celebrate the win will be held at the Teams favorite watering hole the Red Lantern Pub and Steakhouse in Nasis. The Lantern is giving away a free draft and 6 chicken wings with the donation of a non perishable food item for the community Kitchen. Come out and meet the Lions players and get your picture with the banner.
 
See you all there.