The Cycs came out on top of three one goal games, to capture the Huntsville Otters annual AE tourney
The Canadian Juniors weren’t the only team in Ontario playing exciting games as the AE Cyclones won their last 3 games of the Huntsville tourney by the same 2-1 score to win the Huntsville tourney. The weekend started off on a good note as the Cycs came up against the Amalguin Ice Devils in what turned out to be a one sided affair. Listowel scored 3 1st period goals then cruised to a 6-0 victory. Listowel’s balance attack featured 6 different scorers in the game as Michael Lockie, Ryan Young, Ryan Nelson, Justin Jacklin, Dilan Boisvert & Brody Tucker all found the back of the net while Jacklin, Vince McNichol, Jason Hollinger, Devon Elg, Anthony Quipp, Drew Hicks & Steve Cleary all gathered assists. Nathan Fletcher was chosen “Player of the Game” as he stopped all 5 shots he faced. Game 2 of the tourney was a much different story as the Cycs faced the fast skating Flamborough Sabres. This game featured some great end to end action but it was the Sabres who would prevail 2-0 in the end as the Cycs where unable to solve the Flamborough defense. Michael Lockie’s strong game was recognized as the POG. With a record of 1-1 the Cycs needed a tie or better to advance to the semis while their opponent, North Middlesex, need the win to advance. The motivated AE’s came out flying and scored what appeared to be the 1st goal just minutes into the game, however the officials didn’t see it that way and the game remained scoreless until Lockie banged home the games 1st official goal (assists McNichol, Jacklin). Parkhill capitalized on the power-play early in the 2nd, to tie the game but the Cycs didn’t falter as they continued their tenacious pressure. McNichol would seal the victory late in the 3rd as he buried the nice feed sending the Cycs to the semis (assists Jacklin, Lockie). Jason Hollinger was awarded the POG for his strong fore-checking. The semis saw the AE’s cross over and play the undefeated Stirling Blues in what was the most exciting game of the tourney. Both teams came out determined to win but early it was the Cycs with the better scoring chances, however as fate often has it the Blues opened the scoring in the 2nd period. Undaunted the hometown lads continued their pressure and where eventually rewarded as Jackson Martin banged home the power-play goal tying the game at 1. Due to great goaltending at both ends this game would need overtime to solve. After 5 minutes of 5 on 5 hockey, 2 minutes of 4 on 4 and 2 minutes of 3 on 3 hockey the game remained tied. From here it would be 2 on 2 hockey until a goal was scored. The overtime featured everything from breakaways, to great saves, and even the odd goal post, but 8 minutes into the 2 on 2 McNichol would rise as the hero (and POG) roofing a shot over the Stirling tender and giving the Cycs the victory and a rematch against Flamborough. With it being both teams 5th game in a couple days you would have expected it to be slower pace, but such was not the case. The fast paced game saw each team create several scoring chances but the goalies would steal the show as Listowel’s Fletcher was rock solid in the pipes. On a 2nd period power-play Nelson would give the Cycs the lead (assists Jacklin, Hollinger), then early in the 3rd Lockie would extend the led (assists Martin). Late in the 3rd an ill-timed 4 minute penalty would give the Sabres a chance to get back into the game but great penalty killing and steady goaltending only surrendered one goal. Stellar defensive play for the remainder of the game held Flamborough at bay, securing the 2-1 victory and the tourney championship (Jacklin was awarded POG).
Obviously the weekend was a great experience for the team and the coaching staff, but the celebration will be short lived as the team must now turn their focus to the play-offs. With only 1 league game remaining against Wallace on Thursday night, the play-offs are just around the corner.