Maybe all games at West Side Arena should be played on such beautiful days in the autumn. Sunday afternoon was another gorgeous day to be outside, even if the players used the warm afternoon air to loosen up and get dressed for another hockey game. Dressing rooms are still off limits which will get interesting when the temperatures really fall. For now though, it has been nothing short of pleasant to be outside the rink before and after games. I still count myself fortunate that we are enjoying family, friends, and youth sports during a time of extremes.
The Flames played host to the Concord Capitals for their first game in Granite State League play. The visitors scored first to take a 1-0 lead only two and a half minutes into the game. Thanks to team defense and timely goaltending, the Flames would not allow another goal on the afternoon. This was another evenly contested game. Both teams played with intensity and they just kept coming at each other with good effort. The Flames ultimately won the game 4-1 after tying in the first period and taking a 2-1 lead after two periods, before a pair of third period goals.
Again, I took way too many pictures and narrowed it down to these 40 or so. Please enjoy. Click on the mini galleries, and then the picture you like in order to zoom in and look for details if you so please. Thanks for checking this out.
If I am going to start somewhere, I choose to start with our glorious flag.
Between The Pipes
Travis had a great game in net, so good in fact, that he stopped this puck with his mind.
For this shot, I think I will make this save while sitting down, oh, and hold all my calls.
Angles are everything and Travis gets over to get into position.
Hey Mom, mark that one down as a save.
Travis was busy all day and he gave the Flames the chance to come back and win the game.
Yup, another chance denied.
Let me show a little five hole here.
Nice! Going for the five hole.
In a John Candy voice, “Sorry folks, five hole’s closed”.
The Freight Train McCain turns and says, “I knew Travie Baby had it all the way”.
Soucy gets some good blocking from his line and breaks free for a first down.
Fin and The Freight Train working to defend the crease.
Jordan encourages Sean with a little jingle he is working on entitled, “Me and hockey McGee”.
Cam takes the low road while Sean takes the high road in a two-pronged approach to scoring.
Maybe it’s the coach in me, but I love these pictures. All for one. In the background, the other coaches review the latest scouting reports, or they’re laughing at a Hawkes/McCain photoshopped post in the team chat.
Here we see the Mighty Fin in her natural habitat.
Finley played a great game. Here she carries the puck on the breakout.
Imagine a bubble beside her helmet, and in it; “Ya, Soucy I see you! Get going and you’ll get the puck”.
A rare close up of Hockey McGee, as he’s usually flying!
Sean lines up for a shot on goal against Concord.
Teddy in his favorite place on the ice. The goalie just barely deflects this puck up and over Teddy’s stick.
Good form, nice little flex of the stick, and teammates in support.
The Eventual Game-Winning Goal
Teddy races up ice to beat a defender to the loose puck.
He collects the puck after passes from Jacob and Cam.
Teddy unleashes the right-handed version of the ‘Soucy 1.0 Backhand’.
The shot hits the mark, over the goalie’s shoulder into the net.
Teddy and Cam are in the same school district so they have worked extensively on goal celebrations as seen here.
Ride ’em cowboy! Actually Teddy was more excited about Cam’s slide tackle after the game than the goal itself. Awesome play!
Ian gets into high gear as he carries the puck on the blade of his stick.
Logan says, “I’ll get this one Travie Baby”.
Ice hockey’s version of foliage. Lots of colors in a small space.
With a 2-1 lead after two periods, the Flames gather for the final stanza. Featured superstar performer, Rooster Pear Tree exits stage right with a knee injury. Get well Rooster.
Jordan digs his edges in and makes a stand against the Capitals.
Garrett finishes off a really nice hockey play set up with Soucy and Jacob, scoring a goal.
The Capitals played very hard and battled the whole way.
The Flames say so long until next week.
Finley finishes her thought with, “See! I told you I would get you the puck Soucy”.
