Written by Sunday afternoon the Pee Wee Major Flames made their way across slick roads, around numerous spinouts, and through piles of wet, heavy snow to Skate 3 in Tyngsboro, MA for their final GSL regular season game. The Flames were playing the Nashua Pee Wee 3 team, and with a win would jump to the #5 seed in the upcoming GSL Playoffs. The Flames did beat Nashua, who gets better with each week, 5-3 and earned the #5 spot in the playoffs.
1st Period: The Flames battled through a tight first period and managed to get six shots on goal to their opponent’s five shots, and led 2-1 on the scoreboard at the end of 12 minutes played. The small Blue rink at Skate 3, with its limited seating and low ceiling, already make the ice surface seem smaller. Then, after witnessing the Flames at their puck moving best, creating wide open lanes, and acres of space to skate and make plays in last night; today’s Flames looked like they were trying to stickhandle on a frozen puddle in the back yard. Credit goes to the Nashua Pee Wee 3 team, for cycling the puck well, clogging the neutral zone, and retreating to defend their net. Nothing came easy for the Flames today. As the game wore on, the Flames did move the puck better, and they started connecting on short passes that led to chances. Zachary Bayer scored first on an individual rush up ice to give the Flames a lead that lasted for just 28 seconds. Nashua worked a pass to the front of the net after the Flames left the area wide open and Keenan Alnahas had no chance on the Nashua shot. Game tied. Late in the period Sam Hebert rushed end to end and scored an unassisted goal to give the Flames a 2-1 lead.
2nd Period: Off of the opening faceoff to start the period, Sebastian Beal slid the puck to open ice and Zachary Bayer did the rest, getting behind the defense and giving the Flames a 3-1 lead 10 seconds into the period. Seconds later, there was a tripping penalty called, which resulted in a “Beal-In-The-Box”. Before the penalty expired Nashua scored again, cutting the lead to 3-2. With exactly 1:00 left in the 2nd period, Sam Hebert scored his 64th of the season on a beautiful rush that ended with a perfect shot just below the crossbar. After two periods, the Flames led 4-2 and held a slim 13-9 advantage in shots.
3rd Period: The third period opened up some. The Flames allowed several shots to find Alnahas in net, but he was equal to the task. Nashua was stretching things out a bit more in an attempt to come from behind late in the game, and they did get chances. This also opened things up for the Flames and their counter attack. Half way through the period, the line of Sean Moore, Sebastian Beal, and Sam Hebert were establishing themselves successfully, with passing, movement, and a constant presence in front of the net. This paid off when Moore hit Hebert with a pass along the left wing boards. Hebert stepped in for a shot that he didn’t get all of, but Beal was in front of the goaltender and redirected the shot through the five-hole, giving the Flames their fifth goal of the game. Nashua would score a goal with 1:25 left to play and make things interesting for a moment or two. The Flames held on and won 5-3 while edging Nashua by the same margin in shots, 22-20.
On Tap: GSL Playoffs
Friday, March 1: #5 Flames vs. #2 Avalanche II @ Ice Den, 7:10pm
Saturday, March 2: #5 Flames vs. #4 Hanover @ Ice Den, 11:20am