Game #12

It was the FireCats who took it to the Swords early, though, as they scored the opening goal of the game on a breakaway to make it a 1-0 game. The Swords played a very physical brand of hockey, getting away with several questionable hits. The referees let it go, though, so it would be up to the FireCats to adapt. Thankfully they did, and it was enough to take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

The FireCats expanded their lead with a goal at the 5:30 mark in the second on another breakaway, making it a 2-0 game. The refs finally got some of the physical play under control in this period, handing out several penalties. Once play settled down a bit, the Swords caught fire. They scored their first goal of the game a minute after the last FireCats goal, then added another 20 seconds later to tie the game at two. 45 seconds later they would take the lead with another goal, and then opened up a two goal lead with another goal two minutes later. And just like that, the Swords turned a two goal deficit into a two goal lead, which they would take into the third period,

After getting through the Cincy onslaught, the FireCats didn't give up. They finally managed to get back on the attack, and a goal narrowed the gap to a single goal at the 8 minute mark. Some of the physical play returned, and Drew ended up taking a two minute roughing penalty. Thankfully the FireCats survived being down a man (actually, they managed to do so a few times). They would finally tie the game up once again with less than three and half remaining, which didn't seem possible after the second period. That would be it for the scoring, and the game would wind up going in the books as a 4-4 tie.

Novi FireCats Game 12 - at Cincy Swords

Drew along the glass after playing the puck (a Cincy player on the ice had a hold of his stick).

Drew reaching in to knock the puck away from a Cincy player.

Drew skating hard across the ice as he heads towards the action.

Drew in the penalty box...

...and coming out.

Drew with the puck as the Swords players close in.

Drew fighting for the puck behind his goal.

Drew with control of the puck...

..and taking aim at the net...

...and firing away.

Drew pressuring Cincy's best player in front of the net.

Drew moving the puck along the boards.

Drew kicking the puck ahead...

...and moving it away from the Cincy player.

Drew keeping an eye on the puck as he does battle.

Drew watching the action in front of him.

Drew narrowly avoiding the hit behind the net while pinching in on offense.

Drew moving a Cincy player out of the way.

Drew lined up in his defensive position during a faceoff.

Drew stepping up and getting in the way of the Cincy player...

...and forcing him to give up the puck...

...and using his butt to stop his momentum.

The final score today was a 4-4 tie between the FireCats and Swords.

Drew and the rest of the FireCats making their way through the postgame handshake line.