Championship Game

The Novi FireCats returned to the ice one last time this weekend, in the championship game of the Last Dance Tournament. They would be facing the Ice Kings Hockey team from Canada, in a rematch of this mornings contest that resulted in a 3-2 loss for the FireCats.

Unlike the last game, when both teams played to a 0-0 tie after the first period, this one was all Ice Kings. The two teams traded chances early, but once things settled down the ice tilted to the FireCats defensive zone. It took a while, but with under five minutes remaining the games first goal was scored, coming off an Ice Kings stick. A little over two minutes later, they struck again, opening up a 2-0 lead that they hung on to until the end of the period.

It took a while for a goal to be scored once the second period began, but when the lamp was lit it was thanks to a FireCats goal. The lead was down to 2-1, but it was short-lived as the Ice Kings kept attacking, scoring again to reopen the two goal lead a minute later. That would be it for scoring in the second period, with the score at 3-1 in favor of the Ice Kings.

The FireCats couldn't get anything going in the last period, struggling to sustain an attack, and failing to sneak the puck behind the Ice Kings goaltender. The only goal of the period came early, on the strength of a questionable power play goal for the Ice Kings. It handed them a 4-1 lead, and that would be all she wrote for both teams. When the final horn sounded, it was second place for the Novi FireCats, and a championship for the Ice Kings Hockey team.

After the game was over, the teams gathered on the ice for the medal ceremony and pictures. Although we would have preferred a championship victory, second place isn't bad either. All in all it was a successful spring season for the team. Go FireCats!

Championship Game - at Ice Kings Hockey
	Drew and his FireCats teammates on the ice for the opening faceoff.
	Drew passing the puck ahead to a teammate.
	Drew racing down the ice on defense.
	Drew controlling the puck along the boards...
	...and firing it at the net.
	Drew circling around on defense.
	Drew skating with the puck...
	..and playing it along the boards.
	Drew keeping an eye on an approaching opponent.
	Drew going after the puck in the corner...
	...and gaining control.
	Drew and his teammates lined up on the ice after the game.
	Drew accepting his medal from the tournament representative...
	...and skating by the referee...
	...and shaking the hand of the opposing coaches...
	...before the two joked about Drew's height.
	Drew doing the medal test.
	Drew posing with his medal after the game.
	The Novi FireCats!

Championship Game - at Ice Kings Hockey

Drew and his FireCats teammates on the ice for the opening faceoff.

Drew passing the puck ahead to a teammate.

Drew racing down the ice on defense.

Drew controlling the puck along the boards...

...and firing it at the net.

Drew circling around on defense.

Drew skating with the puck...

..and playing it along the boards.

Drew keeping an eye on an approaching opponent.

Drew going after the puck in the corner...

...and gaining control.

Drew and his teammates lined up on the ice after the game.

Drew accepting his medal from the tournament representative...

...and skating by the referee...

...and shaking the hand of the opposing coaches...

...before the two joked about Drew's height.

Drew doing the medal test.

Drew posing with his medal after the game.

The Novi FireCats!