Game 15

Drew and his Novi FireCats teammates returned to the ice this afternoon to take on the Cincy Swords in their second meeting of the season. The first contest ended in a 4-4 tie, and they were hoping for a better outcome this time around.

The first period saw the Swords strike first, getting on the board with just under five minutes played in the period. Novi wasn't about to give up, though, and they answered right back 45 seconds later to knot things up at a goal each. Two minutes later the FireCats were in another deficit, as the Cincy players were able to sneak another one past the Novi goalie. The FireCats had another answer, though this time it took a bit longer than the 45 seconds between the first two goals. It was beginning to look like the two teams would head to the second tied at two, but the Swords added on another with just over three minutes remaining. Unfortunately this time the FireCats would not answer, and would trail heading into the first intermission.

Most of the second period was a parade of players (mostly Novi players) heading to the penalty box for "checking" violations, though most weren't any different than the contact the Cincy players were initiating. Despite playing a lot of the period shorthanded, Novi managed to keep Cincy off the boards for much of the time. They finally cracked on defense, allowing a 5 on 3 goal with just under two minutes remaining, and would trail 4-2 heading into the final 15 minutes.

Novi finally got some calls to go their way in the third, as they managed to score a 5 on 3 goal of their own to narrow the gap to a single goal just over a minute in. It looked like the comeback attempt was on, but it was the Swords cut it short when they tacked on another power play goal at the six minute mark. Novi tried desperately to narrow the gap, but just couldn't get the goal they needed. When the final buzzer sounded, the Swords came out on top by a 5-3 score.

Novi FireCats Game #15 - vs. Cincy Swords
	Drew and his teammates gathered together before the opening faceoff.
	Drew in his defensive position during a faceoff.
	Drew skating towards the puck after playing it out of the corner.
	Drew keeping an eye on a Swords player.
	Drew protecting the front of the net...
	...and his goalie.
	Drew pinching in to knock away the puck.
	Drew firing the puck out of the zone.
	Drew keeping an eye on the action in front of his goal.
	Drew firing a shot on net after pinching in to help out.
	Drew gathering in the puck along the boards...
	...and playing it back inside the zone.
	Drew winding up for a shot...
	...and firing it at the net.
	The final score was 5-3, with the FireCats on the short end of the stick.
	Drew and his teammates gathered around the goalie.
	Drew and the rest of the FireCats making their way through the postgame handshake line.

Novi FireCats Game #15 - vs. Cincy Swords

Drew and his teammates gathered together before the opening faceoff.

Drew in his defensive position during a faceoff.

Drew skating towards the puck after playing it out of the corner.

Drew keeping an eye on a Swords player.

Drew protecting the front of the net...

...and his goalie.

Drew pinching in to knock away the puck.

Drew firing the puck out of the zone.

Drew keeping an eye on the action in front of his goal.

Drew firing a shot on net after pinching in to help out.

Drew gathering in the puck along the boards...

...and playing it back inside the zone.

Drew winding up for a shot...

...and firing it at the net.

The final score was 5-3, with the FireCats on the short end of the stick.

Drew and his teammates gathered around the goalie.

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