Feb 14, 2012 | Sherri Coombs | 778 views
Atom LL Enter Playoffs with a Win!!!
The regular season has ended and the Atom LL team has entered into playoffs. Last weekend we warmed up by travelling to Mt Forest for our 2nd tournament of the season
Our first game of the tournament was against Shallow Lake. The game started slowly for us but once we got rolling we took over control of the play. Our players out skated and hustled the other team which turned into many scoring opportunities for the Cyclones. Shallow Lake was used to more body contact than we typically see so I was proud that we kept our cool even though they were throwing the body around. With a dominant performance, we ended up winning 5-0, earning Lucas another shutout.
The second game was against Fergus, who won their first game against Mt Forest 5-2. Overall we outplayed the Fergus team, generating many quality scoring chances, unfortunately we couldn't put "the biscuit in the basket" and dropped a 2-1 decision. We played hard but sometimes you just don't get the bounces. The coaches were really happy with how the team is playing, effort is high, passing is working well and defense are clearing the puck.....we are ready for playoffs!!!
Our first playoff game was Monday against the Mt Forest Rams. With Brayden, Patrick and Emma out sick, the rest of the team had to pick up the slack. We beat the Rams twice during the regular seasion, by a single goal each time. The Rams came out to play, highly motivated and confident after defeating Durham 7-0 the night before.
The first period saw no scoring, although the Rams had a few chances when they got behind our defense, so we made adjustments to limit their chances. In the second period we started to chip the puck past their pinching defense and it turned into more scoring chances for the Cycs. The Rams shot the puck from the corner, it hit a skate and surprised Lucas, putting the Rams up 1-0, which is how the second period ended. We continued pressing but couldn't raise the puck over the Ram goalie who covered the lower ice. Finally, with 5 minutes left in regulation play, Dakota poked the puck in during a scramble in front of the Rams net. Regulation play ended with the teams tied at 1-1, sending us into our first overtime game of the season.
The fans from both sides were cheering the teams on, with an announcer and music playing it was loud and the excitment was overwhelming. With only 27 seconds into the overtime period, Nic won a face off in the opposition end, with the puck landing on Jake's stick. Jake loaded up a low, hard shot that the screened Rams goalie could not see, sending the puck into the corner of the net, winning the Cyclones the first game of their playoffs.....what a great start!
The coaches feel we are playing the best hockey of the year, and will continue to encourage the team to capitalize more on scoring opportunities.
Congratulations Cyclones
Coach Paul