Game 1

Drew got the start on defense for his first game with the Novi FireCats, taking on the Team Ohio at the Grinder Tournament in Troy. It took a while, but the Novi team got the scoring started first, grabbing a 1-0 lead halfway through the first period. Two quick Ohio goals left Novi in a deficit when the period ended.

The second period was back and forth, but Novi managed to score the only goal of the period, knotting things up at 2 apiece. The third period was interesting, with lots of strange penalty calls going both ways. Thankfully the FireCats were able to take advantage of their chances, grabbing a 3-2 lead before Team Ohio pulled their goalie. A penalty on an empty-net breakaway meant that Novi was awarded a goal and a 4-2 lead. They were able to tack on another goal after Team Ohio returned their goaltender to the net, making it a 5-2 victory for the FireCats.

Drew had his good moments and bad moments today on the ice. You could tell for the most part that the kids weren't entirely comfortable playing together, as this was their first game together this spring after welcoming a lot of newcomers to the team. Drew's playing time was low in the third, hopefully due more to the penalty situation than his play on the ice. Here's hoping to continued success in tomorrow's games! Go Novi!

Game 1 - vs. Team Ohio
	Drew and his new Novi FireCats hockey team gathering around the goalie prior to the start of the game.
	Drew got the start on defense for the opening faceoff today.
	Drew patrolling the area in front of the net.
	Drew in position during a faceoff.
	Drew keeping an eye on an approaching player.
	Drew getting his stick on the puck in a crowd of players.
	Drew clearing the puck from the crowd.
	Drew in his defensive position during a faceoff.
	Drew looking at the action along the boards while protecting the front of the net.
	Drew making sure the opposition doesn't get a possible rebound.
	Drew knocking the puck away from an onrushing player.
	Drew battling for the puck.
	Drew watching the action unfold...
	...before calmly playing the puck away from the goal.
	The final score was Novi FireCats 5, Team Ohio 2.
	Drew and his teammates greeting the goaltender after the final buzzer sounded...

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

Game 1 - vs. Team Ohio

Drew and his new Novi FireCats hockey team gathering around the goalie prior to the start of the game.

Drew got the start on defense for the opening faceoff today.

Drew patrolling the area in front of the net.

Drew in position during a faceoff.

Drew keeping an eye on an approaching player.

Drew getting his stick on the puck in a crowd of players.

Drew clearing the puck from the crowd.

Drew in his defensive position during a faceoff.

Drew looking at the action along the boards while protecting the front of the net.

Drew making sure the opposition doesn't get a possible rebound.

Drew knocking the puck away from an onrushing player.

Drew battling for the puck.

Drew watching the action unfold...

...before calmly playing the puck away from the goal.

The final score was Novi FireCats 5, Team Ohio 2.

Drew and his teammates greeting the goaltender after the final buzzer sounded...

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