The New Orleans Pizza Peewee AE’s had an impressive run through to the
Quarter Finals in OMHA playoff action against Collingwood. Every member pulled together when it mattered
the most, battling hard through five intense and thrilling hockey games over
the course of two weeks, as the Peewee AE’s gave everything they had and left
it all on the ice, in what could arguably be the best hockey of the season for
the team!
Game 1 started off at home Saturday Feb 8th with the home town crowd cheering them on through the scoreless first period. Mitchell was able to notch one in the first part of the 2nd period with Ryan Glauser scoring assisted by Charlie Wolfe. Mitchell kept the pressure on as Ryan Klumper scored later in the 2nd assisted by Payton Wood. Meteors momentum of the first two periods carried into the third with by scoring another goal half way through the third by Charlie Wolfe. Couple minutes later Ryan Hubbard shot was able to see the back of the net unassisted. Charlie Wolfe scored just a few seconds after that giving Mitchell the final goal of the third, Collingwood get one back late in the third. Mitchell went on to win 5-1.
Game 2 Mitchell made the drive up to Collingwood for a 2 game stint. The first game was Friday night (February 14th) and was held in the Central Park arena with Meteors fired up and ready to go! Collingwood started off the scoring halfway through the first. Ryan Hubbard answered back a minute later by scoring with a beauty pass from Logan Verberne. Second period Collingwood got one back mid-way through the second. Mitchell didn't let that get to them as they got it right back shortly after as Ryan Klumper tapped one in from Wade Campbell. Two minute later Campbell knocked one in from Klumper to give a 1 goal lead going into the third. With no flood between the 2nd and 3rd the boys knew they had to keep the push on. Collingwood was quick on their feet to try and get the game tied up. Keegan Meinen seen the Collingwood pressure but didn't let it phase him as he made huge key saves. Mitchell was able to get one more in the third as Ryan Klumper took a shoot from just outside the blue line on net and score the 4 and final goal for Mitchell. Collingwood continued with their strong efforts and was able to get one goal. Mitchell was able to hold on and win 4-3.
Game 3 was held in Collingwood’s their arena Eddie Bush Saturday afternoon. Up two games, the Meteors were ready to go. Collingwood having their backs against the wall knew they couldn't let Mitchell get any sort of edge on them. Collingwood put the grind on early showing Mitchell they were not giving up. They got themselves on the scoreboard early in the first. Mitchell answered back 2 min later with Logan Verberne scoring from a pass by Payton Wood. In the second period both teams were battling back and forth try to get the lead. Collingwood found the lead with late in the 2nd period. Again there would be no flood between the 2nd and 3rd period which didn't give the boys the rest they needed. Collingwood hit the ice hard at the beginning of the third and put goals on the board in the first 3 mins. Mitchell fought back with many chances to sink a couple but Collingwood fought hard to keep the boys from getting any shots off. Mitchell did a couple more goals back late in the third by Ryan Klumper assisted by Wade Campbell and goal by Max Hannon. Collingwood brought the series to a 2-1 with a win of 6-3.
Game 4 on the same weekend was now brought back to Mitchell for a hopeful series ending on home ice. Mitchell was rested and keen to win in front of packed hometown crowd. Collinwood brought a bus full of players, parents and fans to cheer there team with an edge of your seat game that took to overtime to get 1 goal put on the board.
Both teams ready to go crowd cheering for the start of the afternoon game. Mitchell won the face off, moved the puck into their end. Then quickly moved back into our end which proved to be what we would see for the rest of the game. Keegan Meinen played on of his many great games of the season. He faced shots from all angles proving to both teams how much he wants this. The first and second and third period saw a lot back and forth skating as both teams making the attempts and coming short. We would go into 10 min sudden death overtime. Mitchell making many attempts and a lot of pressure around the net Collingwood put the pressure right back. With two and half minutes left in O/T Collingwood rush into our zone and put a shot on net that was blocked and deflected would find the back of the net. Mitchell played with everything they had and ended with 1-0 loss which now split the series at 2 games each.