OMHA Semi Finals? Really? Not even Disney would write this story...
While the celebration of reaching
the OMHA Quarter finals was still seemingly underway we found ourselves all of
the sudden about to start the first game of the series. Our opponent Chatham Kent was
the heavy favorite having won our league play and dominated the play-downs so
far. It really wasn’t surprising when we started the game down 0-2 quickly.
Then things turned, wow did they turn. The team rallied to score the next 5 unanswered
and walk off with a win. Still feeling like the underdog, we entered game two of
the best of 5 series where the boys left no doubt that they had taken over. Winning
4-2 and it really didn’t feel that close. Up 2 games to 0 and feeling great we
headed to Chatham for the close out game.
Here’s where something happened off ice that I may never forget...
We are fortunate enough on this team to have two excellent goalies whom pretty much play every other game. Once and a while they play back to back games but it’s a rare event. In this series Ian Millard had played net in the first two games and had been spectacular, while Liam Lavin had been his biggest fan and back up. Prior to game 3 the coaches were feeling like we didn’t want to change anything about how we were playing. However, it was really bothering me not to have Liam get some playing time too. I decide to treat the two goalies as men and talk it over with them, instead of just deciding for them. As I started the conversation with them and planned to layout the pros and cons of each of them starting the game Liam, without hesitation said “I think you should go with Millard”. I was a bit shocked, but he followed it up with “he’s hot right now coach”. Then in true teammate fashion Ian piped up and said “no, that’s ok it’s Liam’s turn”… I just kind of stood there in disbelief. That maturity and selflessness shown will stay with me for a long time. Even now as I recall the moment it gives me goose bumps. In the end, we chose to keep Ian in net in hopes of frustrating the Chatham shooters and it certainly did. The Sabres won the game 5-1 and completed the improbable 3-0 sweep. In my post game remarks to the team the loudest cheer the boys gave was when I told them about what Liam had done in the pregame. It’s the moments like these when teams and friendships are forged forever.
I’m stunned to say that we are heading to the OMHA Semi Finals against the Orangeville Flyers starting this weekend.
Coach Todd