The Atom Cycs capture Stanley Taggert title with a dramatic victory that ended in a 5-round shoot-out.
The second game of the tourney would be only a few hours later versus the host Mooretown Flags. Again this game was an intense affair, in which many penalties could have been called, however the strips were allowing both teams to play. Despite several key saves by Jack Zilliax the hometown Flags would get on the board first. The Cycs continued to create scoring chances but missed opportunities and blocked shots would prevent them from budging the twine. Mooretown would extend the lead to 2-0, but the Listowel lads would battle till the end however would be unable to break the goose egg thus coming up on the short end of a 2-0 score.
Game 3 on Saturday afternoon would be a must win, if the Cycs hoped to reach the finals, and they responded with their best effort of the year. Tate Vader and Reyes would get the team out to a quick 2-0 lead on a pair of unassisted goals. Then the Cycs would tally 3 more times in the 2nd period (Vader from Sheldon Weale, Spalding from Weale & Schouten from Leland Weber) to take a commanding 5-0 lead. Then to add some good measure the local lads would score 3 more in the 3rd (Weale, Hamilton & Sharpin all unassisted). With the 8-1 win the local lads would face the hometown Mooretown team in the finals.
The rematch would continue in the same style as the preliminary game... Intense. This time the Cycs would get on the board early as James Bender jammed home a Jesse Coombs rebound. However the Flags would tie the game before the end of the first. The momentum would continue for the Flags as they tallied 2 more times in the second taking a 3-1 lead into the 3rd period. But the Listowel team showed lots of grit and a "no quit" mentality as Schouten's goal (assisted by Spalding) cut the lead to 1 with 7 mInutes remaining. Then Coombs would complete the comeback with just 2 minutes remaining (assisted by Schouten). Neither team could break through during the remainder of the 3rd, so overtime would be needed.
The checking and goaltending would tighten up in the extra frame as both teams worked extremely hard, and as expected with two evenly matched teams, we'd need a shootout to decide this game. After 3 shooters we were still tied, Vader and Schouten both scored for the Cycs. Zilliax would take care of the next 2 Mooretown shooters setting the stage for Reyes's heroics thus giving the Listowel Cyclones the Stanley Taggert title in dramatic fashion.
The coaching staff of Kyle Hollinger, Tyler Kellum & Matt Stirling were obviously happy with the teams compete level as they didn't back down from a couple much more physical teams. Tyler commented "this was a good start to the season for us, but when we start moving the puck a little better I expect we'll be even a better team".
The Atoms have a couple league games coming up before they participate in the Bill Batten tourney in South Huron on Novemer 6-8.
Players (on ice) Jack Zilliax, Jesse Coombs Middle Row (L-R) Colin Spalding, Tate Vader, Kaden Sharpin, Logan Reyes, Jeremy Hamilton, Rowan Alexander, James Bender, Reid Williams, Leland Weber, Nathan Coverdale, Cole Schouten, Sheldon Weale Coaches (L-R) Kyle Hollinger, Matt Stirling, Tyler Kellum
