Mar 04, 2013 | Pete Verbeek | 933 views
Novice Reps Rolling Along In Playoffs
The Novice Reps had a little time off before the start of playoffs so they had an exhibition game against Milverton to stay in game condition. Missing Carter Coombs for the game, who for some reason would have rather attend a Detroit Red Wings game, although no one knows why, the team would see their 2 AP's get some game action. The game was back and forth action and the final result was a 2-2 tie. Ben Nauta and Harrison Meulensteen scored the goals unassisted.
The team then would start their playoffs against the Minto Maddogs.
First game versus the MadDogs would see the kids come ready to play as they score 11 seconds in and cruised to a 10-2 victory. Carter Coombs had 4 goals and 4 assists, Harrison Taplay with 2g, 2a, Ben 1g, 2a, Camden 1g, 1a, Owen 1g, 1a, Brayden 1g, Ty 3a, Caleb 2a, and Drew and Carter Coates with 1a each. Game #2 was back in Listowel and also saw the team cruise to an 8-2 victory. Coombsy with 2g, 2a, Ben 2g, Camden 1g, 2a, Ty 1g, 2a, Carter Coates and Owen rounded out the goal scoring while Caleb, Brayden, Drew and Harrison each got single assists. With this win the kids were off to the A side of their playoff bracket for a round robin with Walkerton and Goderich.
Walkerton came to town first in this round, the team found themselves down 2-1 after the first but tied it up 2-2 after the second. Camden from Ty and Owen from Carter Coombs accounted for the scoring through 2. The team took the lead early in the 3rd when Coombsy scored unassisted and midway through the period Coombsy got a powerplay marker on a nice setup from Ben and Camden. Walkerton would not give up and brought themselves within one with just over 3 minutes left. Combsy would put the game out of reach with 2 minutes left on a nice solo effort leaving the final score a 5-3 victory for the Cyclones.
On the Tuesday night Goderich came for a visit and the home team was not so gracious and took a 3-0 lead after the first added 3 more in the second and rounded out the game with 2 more in the third and sending Goderich home with a 8-0 loss. Ethan played well and earned the shutout. Coombsy had 4g, 1a, Caleb with the hat-trick, Owen 1g, 1a, Ben 2a, Carter Coates 2a, Ty, Camden and Brayden with single assists each.
A Friday game in Walkerton, without the head coach, the team was looking for a win to guarantee themselves a trip to the finals. The team started with 2 goals before Walkerton cut the lead to 2-1 before the end of the 1st. The team then came out on fire in the 2nd and scored 2 in the first minute, another 2 midway through the period to go up 6-1 before Walkerton would hit the board again. The period ended 6-2 and the Cylclones would shut the door the rest of the way and the Walkerton goalie would turn away all the opportunities he faced in the third as well and the game ended 6-2. Coombsy with 2g, 1a, Camden 1g, 2a, Caleb, Owen and Ben with single goals, Drew and Carter Coates with 2 assists each, Logan, Brayden, Jayannth and Ty with one assist each. It was a great team game and the win advances the Cyclones to the finals.
The last round robin game was a trip to Goderich, the last trip there saw the Cyclones on the wrong end of a 5-4 score. The game started back and forth and after Ethan stopped a breakaway, Ben scored from Carter Coates. The lead was short-lived as another breakaway saw the Sailors tie up the game at 1. The period ended that way but early in the 2nd the Cyclones got 2 quick goals from Camden (from Ben and Ty) and Harrison (unassisted) and carried a 3-1 lead into the 3rd. At the 9:41 mark the Cyclones would score again as Coombsy poked home a rebound off an Owen shot to put the team up 4-1. This was a landmark goal as it was the 100th goal for Carter Coombs in his 49th game (the teams 50th). Ben would round out the scoring from Brayden to result in a 5-1 final.
The team must now wait on the winner of the final round robin game between Walkerton and Goderich to see who they face in the final series for the Championship.
Keep up the hard work kids and keep playing as a team.