The Raptors again came out flying as they were chasing pucks and beating the visitors to the corners. The team was looking to score first and set the tone.
With five minutes left in the period the Raptors appeared to score as the Sniper pushed a loose puck in. Unfortunately, a tiny whistle was blown and the play called back. With two minutes left Okotoks took the puck the opposite way, crashed the net and found the rebound to lead 1-0 after the first period.
The Raptors weren’t giving up and scored the equalizer in the second period. A onetimer from Kevin “Knuckles” Schrock assisted by Heartbreaker and Top Shelf. That would be it for the Raptors’ offensive push as Okotoks was too strong for us that day blasting our net 42 times and scored seven. The teams are destined to meet again in the playoffs.
The team packed up and headed south for an overnighter as they prepared to take on Ft. Macleod on Sunday. The Raptors kept up their enthusiasm as many slides were taken in the pool and mini stick games breaking out in the hallway. No walls were damaged, nobody lost any teeth, and all parents were present in body.
The Raptors were good to go. It was a tight game as there was no scoring in the first period. The Raptors got on the board in the 2nd as the Snowman slid the puck through the five hole from a nifty pass by Haylea “Heartbreaker” Crone. They held a slight lead of 2-1 after two periods as the team was battling and the “Big E” Eric Westman was moving well and came up with a couple of big saves. With active sticks, back checking and great team work the defensive core of Tyler “Hard Knox” Hummel, Zack Attack Suntjens, Wild Bill McDougald and Tanner “Tank” Boutin kept Ft. Macleod away from their tender.
The kids’ hard work finally paid off as the offensive netted 3 goals in the 3rd period and outlasted the Khaos 5 - 2. Scoring this weekend: Top Shelf 2G, 3A, Knuckles 1G, 1A; Heartbreaker 2A; Nathanator 1A; Tank 1G; Snowman 1G; Cruncher 1G; Hard Knox 1A.