The Midget AE team have continued they busy start to the season with a 2 close losses & a blanking of Mitchell
Tuesday night the Cycs hosted the Ripley Wolves and as expected had a little let down after the Silver Stick tourney. Ripley jumped out to an early 2-0 led, and the hometown boys where left to play catch up. The Cycs seemed to fine their legs as the game progressed and actually took a brief led early in the 3rd however the Wolves responded quickly then sealed the game with a less than a minute left giving them the 5-4 win. Tallying goals for the Cycs where Justin Bauman, Scott Boertien, Devon Elg & Chris Daviau, while assists went to Steve Cleary (2), Jordan Rumph (2), Cory George & Matt Wilkans.
Friday night the flu ridden team headed to Ayton for a game versus Normanby. With a few players absent, with ”the bug” & a couple more that where recovering, the Cycs gave a gutsy effort. The visitors jumped out to an early 2-0 led on goals from George & Marty Richards (Anthony Quipp & Elg picking up assists on both goals). However the shorten bench became an issue as Normandy scored 3 goals in the 2nd to take a 3-2 lead. The break seemed to rejuvenate the AE’s as they dominated the 3rd period, resulting in several scoring chances, however it wasn’t meant to be as bouncing pucks & bad luck prevented them from tying the games. Normanby, added a empty net goal making the final 4-2.
Sunday night the AE’s where looking to avenge an earlier loss as they hosted Mitchell. The first period had good pace to it with each team exchanging chances but it would be the Cycs who would score 1st as captain Cleary converted a nice feed from Boertien and Bauman. This seemed to lift the team as their fore-checking intensity picked up resulting in 3 unanswered 2nd period goals from Drew Hicks, George & Elg (collecting assists where Wilkans, Ben Verkley, George). The hometown boys continued the pressure in the 3rd as they tallied 2 more times, George & Elg, with Jason Hollinger & Verkley picking up assist. Andy Leith was solid in net turning away several good Mitchell scoring chances and preserving the 6-0 shut out (his 3rd shut-out of the year).
Trainer Brian Tucker, noted “the team is definitely showing improvement” as now along with their signature hustle they’re working together better. The team’s next action is Wednesday night in Mt Forest.