As the saying goes defense wins championships and nothing was more evident this past weekend as the Cycs won the Elmvale tourney allowing only 4 goals over 5 games.
The goaltending duo of Steven Gottfried and Tyler Robinson where at times spectacular over the 5 games, while the defensive core of Michael McMurren, Cole Fletcher, Drew McKee, Blake Buchanan and Brendan Hall mesmerized the opposition with their puck moving skills and tenasity.
Each game of the round robin portion of the tourney seemed to have the same theme. The local lads would control the majority of the play then have a momentary lapse giving up an odd man rush, only to be bailed out by a good defensive play or nice save. The offense would eventually score just enough to keep all the games close despite several great chances, then add and empty netter to seal the deal. Game one versus Cayuga (3-1 win) would have Caleb Warren and Keaton Willis find the back of the net with Broedy Karelse adding the empty netter. Picking up assists where Andrew Gooding, McMurren, McKee, Karelse and Willis. Game two versus St Georges (2-0 win) would have Warren scoring and Willis adding the empty netter (McMurren picking up the only assist). Game three was against the hometown Elmvale Coyotes who where inspired by the local fans and some hometown officiating, however the Cycs would persevere 1-0 on Karelse’s goal (Gooding & Buchanan picking up assists).
In the semi-finals the Cycs would cross over against Lambton in what was a fast paced, hard hitting affair. Lambton came out hitting, trying to intimidate the samaller Cycs but it Tyler Hak who would open the scoring as his blast eluded the tender (Karslse & Graeden Geiger picking up assists). Hak would extend the Cyc’s led in the 2nd as he banged home the rebound (McKee & Geiger with the assists). Lambton continued to press only to be turned away by Gottfried time and time again. Then with time running out Lambton would eventually bang one home, however like 2 of the 3 previous games the Cycs would seal the deal with an empty netter by Karelse.
In the finals the local lads would face Shelburne in another fast paced game. The teams exchanged several chances in the 1st period but it was the goalies and defenses that stood tall. Hak again would get his team on the board as he tucked home a nice deke on a breakaway but Shelburne would tie the game late in the 2nd period. Heading into the 3rd even the offense would finally explodes scoring 3 times, with Gooding picking up 2 and Warren getting the other (assists to Hak, Karelse & Willis). Credit to Shelburne as they didn’t quite and would close the gap to 2 with less then a minute remaining but as the weekend went the defense & goaltending would shut the door giving the Cycs the 4-2 win and the Brian English Memorial tournament championship.
The coaching staff was obviously pleased with the team’s effort throughout the weekend as they showed great character and class. As well it’s nice to see the team embracing the “team” concept with regards to puck movement and defense.