December 18, 2009.    Despite playing one of their most complete games of the season the Terriers were denied a win in the victory column. The opening period was fairly even in play with scoring chances for both teams. Dunnville was guilty of a couple of costly breakdowns but skated hard and positioned themselves well for most of the period. Chippawa broke the ice with a powerplay goal at the 13:41 when Ryan McIntyre sniped one in the top right corner with Corey Gillies and Matt Goch drawing assists on the first marker.

Dunnville had a chance to even things up but failed to connect on a two man advantage. Chippawa dashed some of Dunnville’s flames when they put out the fires on Dunnville’s powerplay with another shorthanded goal. Records may show that the Terrier’s have more goals scored against on their powerplays than they have goals for.

This mishap seemed to catch both the goaltender and his defenceman confused and out of position while the surprised opposing forward accepted an early Christmas gift. Matt Goch shared the glory gift with Wes Wolfe. The period was fairly even in play but ended at 2-0 on the scoreboard in Chippawa’s favor.

Matt Madden started in goal for Dunnville finishing the first period, but was replaced between the pipes with Tyler Gilbertson. Dunnville seemed to pick up the tempo and had an advantage in puck control for most of the second period. Another powerplay goal by Corey Gillies and his linemates Ryan McIntyre and Wes Wolfe at 12:05 gave the visitors a comfortable lead at 3-0.

The dogs bit back with some hard work and smashed the goose egg at 11:28 with a goal from Mitch Barnes and assists going to Chris Furneau and Nolan Speakman.

The home squad was persistent with pressure on the opposing net-minder and with some goodluck around the net could have cashed in on several good scroring chances to pull even going into the third. The reality was Chippawa 3 Dunnville 1 score at the end of two. At 15:14 on the timer of the third period, Chippawa took the faceoff away from Dunnville to the right of Gilbertson and Dustin Duneith found himself alone in front of the net. He and his wingers engineered the disc into the net behind the lonesome Gilbertson to make a 4-1 deficit for the Terriers.

Jason Turbin and Jesse Parker were awarded the assists on the goal by Dunseith. Dunnville fans may have been dismayed but the Terriers continued to growl and attack. A corner melee saw a wrestling match between Mitch Barnes and a Chippawa defender result in a pair of majors and games misconducts. A good team effort gave Dunnville the edge and after several near misses Nolan Speakman completed a hard low slapshot from his pointman Austin Douglas with a neatly timed tip into the right corner putting Dunnville back in the game.

Dunnville continued to press but time ran out and Chippawa gained the two points. It was a very entertaining game with Tanner McGowan, Austin Douglas, Ducan Minor and several other Terriers having standout performances. Despite being shorthanded due to a number of suspensions from the encounter in Glanbrook last Sunday the remaining Terriers showed plenty of hustle and good team chemistry.

Dunnville’s next game is Tuesday the 22nd of December @Dundas and then back home in the new year on January the 8th when first place Grimsby comes to town.

By Dave Green, The Sachem


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