January 25th, 2014              

@

    Since we are new to hockey I have absolutely no idea how the playoff system works. All I know is that today's game against the Ann Arbor Wolves was listed as a playoff game on the calendar when it was added. Since our team ultimately lost the game I am unsure of what comes next. This loss may have eliminated us from the playoffs, or it may have just been step 1 in a process... who knows, but I am sure we'll find out more as time goes on.

    The coaches assured the kids that they thought that there was a good chance that today's game could result in their first victory of the season. For the first period, that certainly appeared to be a possibility. Despite the puck remaining the our defensive zone for most of the period, the score was only 1-0 when it concluded. That gave everyone - players, coaches, and parents - a glimmer of hope. Unfortunately a quick two goal burst by the Wolves opened up the lead, and another goal was added later to expand the cushion to 4-0 after two periods. The kids seemed to lose hope after that, and a poor third period led to the final 8-0 score. On a personal note, Drew played one of his best games of the year today. He was much better at chasing after the puck and not waiting for it to come to him. He made several nice passes that led to breakaways or 1-on-1 situations (and one bad pass that eventually led to a Wolves goal). He skated with the puck on his stick instead of blindly sending it down the ice. He used his body to "ease" people off of the puck. All of his hard work led to an increase in ice time. This was the type of effort that we knew he was capable of all along, and we are proud of him for all he did on the ice today despite the loss in the game.

Playoff Game 1 - at Ann Arbor Wolves
	Drew lined up at right wing for the opening faceoff.
	Drew skating with the puck as he attempts to get it out of the defensive zone.
	Drew passing the puck ahead to a teammate out of the zone.
	Drew battling for the puck.
	Drew skating towards the puck along the boards.
	Drew watching the action unfold down the ice from the bench.
	Drew lined up for a faceoff...
	...before moving in to fight for the puck.
	Drew carrying the puck into the zone.
	Drew moving towards the puck after another faceoff.
	Drew attempting to get a shot on goal.
	Drew circling towards the puck.
	Drew alone in front of the net, unable to get a pass from his teammates.
	Drew moving the puck along the boards.
	Drew prepared to move the puck from the defensive zone.
	Drew moving into the offensive zone after making sure to stay onsides.
	Drew watching a Wolves player with the puck.
	Drew skating into the defensive zone.
	The final score was an 8-0 defeat.
	Drew and his teammates making their way through the handshake line.