OBHS Tornados wreak havoc…eventually

By Michael Hall | Posted: Thursday August 22, 2024

The Tornados hadn’t lost a game all season, but it looked like they would lose this one, trailing 3 - 1 entering the third (and final) period.

Something had awoken in the Johnnies’ best players. And they were into ‘beast’ mode. In the third period, they again put us under a great deal of pressure, with counter attack, after storming counter attack. It was up and down stuff.  

But the turning point was a sharp high glove save by the captain, Josh Dickinson - playing in goal this year, for the first time. The tight and desperate defending of Aidan Taylor, Phoenix Haddow, Cole Churchman, and Cael Hannagan, then managed to finally and truly blunt the Johnnies’ attack. 

The Johnnies’ Under 18 Thunder goalie wasn’t letting anything through though. That is until Pax Kollar released a rocket, from distance, over the goalie's right shoulder, to get us back to a deficit of one goal.

In the final three minutes, with the defence and attack reshuffled into power lines, a tying goal was scored. Then three minutes of defence - a Johnnies’ time out - a breather for us - and Mr M Hall giving Johnnies a chance by his inability to count up to 3 (putting only 2 forwards on the ice) the final buzzer sounded. The game was going into overtime!

This was to be 5 minutes of 3 on 3: golden goal territory. Our defence held, and with a counter-excursion up ice, and with the next two forwards ready to jump the boards, Sef Johnston was able to sneak home the winning goal. 

Johnnies played exceptionally well, and played with terrific spirit and skill. It was a worthy final, between this year’s two top teams. 

A thanks to all the OBHS players this year. They have comported themselves exceptionally well, and supported and encouraged each other throughout. Each has played their part in the team’s success. 

A special thank you to Mr Shane Dickinson for his perceptive coaching, his expert gate work - and his always positive encouragement of the boys. 

Goals scored: Aidan Taylor 1. Pax Kollar 2. Sef Johnston 2. Mr M Hall -1.

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