HOUSTON HOCKEY'S
Game #14 Report (1/23/01)
ICE DOGS ARE THE CHAMPS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DEFEAT RANGERS 5-4 IN A CLOSE BATTLE TO THE END !!
Report - CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HOUSTON ICE DOGS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND ALL FANS EVERYWHERE AROUND THE GLOBE !!! THE ICE DOGS ARE THE HHA CHAMPS !!!!
Your Houston Ice Dogs are - Back Row - Jiri Brejnik, Malcolm Fowler, Mitchell Slot, Garrett Williams, Greg Carr, Josh Cruey, Steve Stefanski, Tony Valdavia; Front Row - Brian Masterson, Eric Purcell, Terry Hurd, Jeremy Josserand, Tim Goemans.
Whew !! - The Houston Ice Dogs lived up to their potential in a hard-fought, closer-than-close hockey game to seal their precious victory in the final minutes against the Championship seasoned veterans - the Rangers - to become the NEW CHAMPIONS of the World, ... oh well, of the Houston Hockey Association's very competitive and hard skating A league. A Big Congratulations go to Terry Hurd for scoring the first and last goals - and to Jiri Brejnik for adding a HAT TRICK in between Terry's scores !!! Thanks for an incredible game and effort guys.
The Rangers came-in fresh off their 4-1 victory against the Griffs and played 3 of the fastest skating periods of hockey the Dogs have seen from them this season. The Rangers opened up the scoring in the first period 1-0. Minutes later, Terry Hurd answered big time with the first Ice Dog goal to tie the Game. But the Rangers weren't going down and replied with a goal of their own to make it 2-1. Then, Jiri got it going strong in the offensive slot and scored his first to tie the game 2-2, his second to make the first Ice Dog lead at 3-2. However, the Rangers fought back fast and hard to tie the game early in the third 3-3. Jiri answered mid-way thru the 3rd to earn the Hat Trick and give the Dogs a 4-3 lead once again. But the Rangers were able to tie the game 4-4 on a power play goal at 4 minutes left in the third. Then, the Dogs took a crucial time-out to hold a Board Meeting at 3 minutes remaining just to reaffirm that the team wanted this win more than the other guys !! It was unanimous - Terry Hurd powered down the left side boards to drive the slot shot, after a couple rebounds - Terry came thru with his Big Game Winner Goal !!! Go Dogs Go ! With a 1:30 left on the clock, the Rangers pulled their goalie, but Terry, Eric, Tim, Jiri and Garrett performed above and beyond to prevent the Rangers from setting up any serious scoring threat in the final moments - and - THE ICE DOGS SKATED TO THEIR FIRST EVER HHA VICTORY in only their second season of play as a Hockey Team.
Terry Hurd earned the First Goal prize and Jiri Brejnik earned the game's MVP award with his Hat Trick performance. CLICK THE PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE THE ENLARGED PREGAME - GAME - POSTGAME PICTURES !!
1- MUGSY PREPARES THE WINNING ICE |
2 - THE HALLWAY OF PREGAME FOCUS |
3 - GAME-ON |
4 - TENSE BENCH AT 4-3 LEAD |
5 - GAME-OVER !!! CONGRATS TO DOGS |
6 - TEAM PHOTO - SMILES |
7 - TEAM PHOTO - DOGS SCREAM ! |
8 - VERY HAPPY CAPTAIN |
9 - GREG & TERRY SKATE-OFF |
10 - LOCKER ROOM FESTIVITIES & AWARDS |
11 - MORE LOCKER ROOM FESTIVITIES & AWARDS |
12- HAPPY ICE DOG FANS CHEER-ON !! |
The Ice Dogs go undefeated in all 4 games against the Rangers this past year and finish the season in First Place with 10 wins and 4 losses. Great Job Guys. Take a well earned rest after 2 intense nights of playoff Hockey. Stay tuned as the Dogs go back to the Front Porch during the brief off-season to get healthy, strong and enjoy the taste of Victory. The next Season will be here soon enough and the Dogs will be the Defending Champs !!
If you can't skate with the Big Dogs - stay on the Porch !
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