Game 1

After travelling to Buffalo, New York, for the Buffalo River Outdoor Classic, the Novi FireCats kicked off their tournament efforts this morning with an early morning game against the Allegheny Badgers. The tournament didn't get off to the start that the FireCats wanted, however, as they struggled in this game.

The two teams played pretty evenly through first half of the opening period, but that is when things started to fall apart just a little bit. A power play goal for the Badgers broke the ice just past the six minute mark, giving them the early lead. The FireCats fought back, appearing to tie the game up at 1 goal apiece, but the goal was waved off due to the net being dislodged. Allegheny took the momentum from the disallowed goal and went on to score once again before time expired, taking a 2-0 lead into the second period.

Novi was able to take advantage of a power play early in the second, scoring a goal of their own to narrow the deficit to a single goal. Unfortunately the Badgers were able to add back on to their lead, scoring a goal just 3:30 later. Allegheny would go on to further widen their lead by scoring two more goals in the final 90 seconds of the period, one of which was another power play goal. The two teams would be heading into the final period with a 5-1 score.

The two teams went up and down the ice in the final period, but neither had much luck with the puck. The FireCats did all that they could to close the gap, but they weren't able to do so thanks to some stellar goaltending. The 5-1 score stood until the final whistle, and the FireCats were in a hole to start off with.

Novi FireCats - Buffalo River Outdoor Classic Game 1 - vs. Allegheny Badgers
	Drew and his Novi FireCats teammates circling the ice during warm-ups.
	A closer look at Drew on the ice during warm-ups.
	The FireCats gathered around the net prior to the start of the game.
	Drew patrolling the curling area while on defense.
	Drew trying to get in the way of an opponents shot.
	Drew stopping along the wall while going towards the puck.
	Drew reaching to deflect a pass in front of his goal.
	Drew moving the puck out of the zone.
	Time for a line change!
	Drew lined up during a faceoff.
	Drew moving back on defense.
	Drew protecting the boards.
	Drew moving towards the puck during another faceoff.
	Drew doing his best to get in the way of an opponents shot.
	Drew skating with the puck behind the red line.
	Drew battling for the puck along the boards.
	The FireCats listening to their coaches during intermission.
	Drew ready for the third period faceoff.
	Drew circling along the blue line.
	This morning's final had the FireCats on the short end of a 5-1 score.
	Drew and his teammates going through the post-game handshake line.
	Another look at the handshake line, with the open air rink clearly visible in the background.

Novi FireCats - Buffalo River Outdoor Classic Game 1 - vs. Allegheny Badgers

Drew and his Novi FireCats teammates circling the ice during warm-ups.

A closer look at Drew on the ice during warm-ups.

The FireCats gathered around the net prior to the start of the game.

Drew patrolling the curling area while on defense.

Drew trying to get in the way of an opponents shot.

Drew stopping along the wall while going towards the puck.

Drew reaching to deflect a pass in front of his goal.

Drew moving the puck out of the zone.

Time for a line change!

Drew lined up during a faceoff.

Drew moving back on defense.

Drew protecting the boards.

Drew moving towards the puck during another faceoff.

Drew doing his best to get in the way of an opponents shot.

Drew skating with the puck behind the red line.

Drew battling for the puck along the boards.

The FireCats listening to their coaches during intermission.

Drew ready for the third period faceoff.

Drew circling along the blue line.

This morning's final had the FireCats on the short end of a 5-1 score.

Drew and his teammates going through the post-game handshake line.

Another look at the handshake line, with the open air rink clearly visible in the background.