Better Tools

The Tools took to the ice this evening in the Riverscape Broomball League taking on the Fighting Airdales.  I'll end the suspense early, the Tools lost 3-1, but you can see from the score alone, we were much improved.

Putting Ben in goal allowed Dave, an experienced player, to move about on the ice.  He's a good director of traffic.  Also, better prepared for shift changes, fewer players got winded on the ice (though we were playing with a team of just eight, so sometimes the rest breaks were pretty short).

The defense was much improved as we directly challenged the Airdales in one one one challenges for the ball. And there was a good effort to get the ball away from our goal end.  Passing and positioning would be good next steps for us.  Towards the end of the game we even put together a decent couple of runs on the offensive end.

Our one goal came very near the end of the game, after a deep clear by our defense.  Dave Eldridge and Matt Lindsay both ran past the Airdales' last defender - with Dave running up the left side and Matt up the middle.  Their goalie came out of the net to control the ball and try to clear, but he hit it straight at Dave. Dave went into a slide, the ball hit off his knee and went straight into the empty net.

The Airdales' claim that it was a "kicked" goal (and shouldn't count) did not earn the referee's concurrence.  It stands as our one goal of the season.  So far.

The Airdales exhibited excellent control (on VERY slick ice) and very good communication and passing.  One of their early goals was scored on a shot at what seemed an impossible angle.  Ben overall had a good night in goal, stopping probably twice as many shots as passed him into the net.

Good fun; good work out.  No one got hurt.  Call it a good night.

The Tools have a bye next week, and take to the ice on Monday, January 24th at 7:00 PM.