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Sports

Ice Force Rally To Tie Fond Du Lac St. Mary's 3-3

Ice Force coach John Kennedy happy with team's effort.

Usually when a team goes on the road to play a game, it is assumed that they are at a disadvantage.  As of late the Ice Force have had to endure many disadvantages.  Player injuries, academic suspensions, and personal choices are just of few of the things this team has had to endure.  Tonight’s game would be nothing new, yet despite all the perceived disadvantages, the Ice Force found a way to come back from the brink. 

Down two goals midway through the third period, the Ice Force rallied to tie the Fond Du Lac St. Mary’s Springs Ledgers 3-3 at the Blue Line Rink in Fond Du Lac.

“Anytime you’re down a couple of goals in the third period and manage a tie on the road, it’s good,” said Ice Force coach John Kennedy.  “The kids didn’t give up, worked hard, couple of nice goals.”

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Early on it seemed the Ice Force were a bit taken aback by the larger ice surface in Fond Du Lac.  Coupled with personnel changes on defence, The Ledgers were able to score just a minute into the opening period.  Trevor Ebertz picked up the rebound off a shot from Nate Strigenz. Ebertz was able to take a stride away from the goal, which froze Ice Force net minder Joe Koepp, then roof a shot over Koepp’s shoulder for a 1-0 lead.

“We were a little discombobulated,” explained Kennedy.  “We tried to get some help back on D and there was definitely some confusion there.”

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The Ice Force would tie the game on an easy tap in by Christian Bussler.  Bussler was the beneficiary of a great play by Brian Kennedy.  Kennedy gained the offensive zone and drove towards the net on the left wing side. He then fired a wrist shot that rebounded right to Jared Hoffmann who had a glorious chance to score.  Hoffmann’s shot trickled over to Bussler, who had a gaping cage to a tap in.

The Ledgers would retake the lead when Trevor Ebertz notched his second goal of the night.  Ebertz converted on a 2 on 1 rush with Jackson Voight.  Voight held the puck and drew the Ice Force defenceman towards him, before slipping the puck over to Ebertz who merely had to redirect the puck into the net.

The lead would grow to 3-1 early in the third period when Traik Stange finished off a shot from Logan Mertens.  Mertens received a bank pass off the boards at the blue line and walked in alone on Joe Koepp. Mertens shot squeezed through the pads of Koepp and lay on the goal line, before Stange made sure the puck crossed the goal line.

That goal almost seemingly inspired the Ice Force.  From that point forward, they played with a little more intensity and sense of urgency. 

They would be well rewarded for their efforts.

Joe Jensen ignited the rally with a great rush through the neutral zone.  Jensen weaved his way through traffic and skated around the Ledgers defenceman.  Jensen then made a few stick-handling moves before firing a backhander into the net to make it a 3-2 deficit.

The highlight of the night came courtesy of Jake Hardin.  Hardin picked up the puck from behind his own net and skated his way up ice.  Weaving his way through traffic as he gained the neutral zone, Hardin saucered a pass through traffic to a streaking Brian Kennedy.  Kennedy split the defence and skated in alone from the blueline.  A few dekes opened up the five hole and Kennedy made no mistake tying the game at three.

The Ice Force then took their time out and set up the plans to steal a victory.  They would win the face off at center ice and proceed with their attack.  The Ledgers had several opportunities to clear the zone, but each time the Ice Force was able to keep the puck inside.  Mitch Hart made several key keeps, and gave the Ice Force the chance to score.

However the clock was their enemy and unfortunately the clock would expire before they could score again.

The Ice Force have to consider this tie to be just as good as a win.

“I was very pleased with the effort,” said coach Kennedy.  “When you’re down a couple of goals and come back to tie on the road especially being shorthanded it’s definitely good.  They’re not giving up.  I know our record may indicate that but the morale is high, the camaraderie is good, and the chemistry is still there.  When you have those three things going for you good things should happen.”

The Ice Force will shoot for a win on Saturday when they face off against Brookfield Central at the Ponds of Brookfield.  The puck drops at 7 p.m.

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