Weekend Wrap-Up Nov. 26, 28, 29
The Atom AE Cyclones had a busy weekend of hockey playing
three games in four days.
The first game came Thursday night on the road against second place Wingham, and the Cyclones were in for a close one. The team starting off playing rather slowly to begin the first. As a result, Wingham was able to play in Listowel’s zone for much of the period. They were rewarded for their strong start with just over four minutes remaining, as the home team scored to take a 1-0 lead.
Heading into the second, the Cyclones slowly began to find their game. After a couple of key saves by goalie Dietrich; the line of Leroux, Wilson, and Balzer scored to tie the game. The team continued to push, and the same line would score again their next shift to give Listowel the lead heading into the second period.
After the Cyclones scored early to start the third period, Wingham pushed back. The Cyclones were on their heels but Alexander, McNevan, Wilken, Frey, and Schmidt were up for the task. They helped the Cyclones survive pressure in their own end until the forwards we able to swing the momentum the other way. Finally, Balzer, Wilson, and Evans broke through to give the Cyclones another insurance goal. Werth, Terpstra, and Evans would add another with just over a minute remaining to make the final score 5-1.
Following the win on the road, the Cyclones were set for two home games over the weekend. The first game came against Zurich, and the team was once again in for a difficult game. Zurich came out in the first period showing lots of heart and hustle. The Cyclones on the other hand were lifeless, and Zurich was winning every puck battle. As a result, the Cyclones found themselves trailing less than two minutes into the period. Zurich would continue to pressure for the rest of the period, and would score late to take a 2-0.
After falling behind in the first, Listowel pulled within one to start the second thanks to a goal by defenseman Wilken. However, not long after Zurich scored again to regain their two goal lead. Not long after the battle continued, as wingers Matheson and Keupfer contributed towards a Cyclones goal bringing the team back to within one. The two teams would exchange chances throughout the remainder of the period, but it would end with a score of 3-2.
Heading into the third the Cyclones hoped to increase pressure in the offensive zone and tie the game. However, it was Zurich who was once again winning all of the battles. As a result, they scored two quick goals to start the third taking a commanding 5-2 lead. Finally with the period winding down the Cyclones broke through. They were able to score two goals including one by Werth, Coelho and Terpstra. However, it was too little, too late as the Cyclones fell by a final score of 5-4.
After the Cyclones lost a game on Saturday in which they knew they played poorly, they looked to have a much better effort on Sunday against Mitchell. Once again, the team started off playing very slowly. They once again found themselves trailing 2-0 to end the first period.
This time though, the team was able to find some life earlier in the game. After a few strong shifts to begin the second, Balzer, Leroux, and Wilson were able to score to cut Mitchells lead to one. The team continued to pressure for the remainder of the period, but were unable to tie the game.
The Cyclones continued to push to tie the game to start the third period. The team was rewarded when Werth, Coelho, and Terpstra scored after a point shot from defenseman Frey. After that the play turned physical and the Cyclones were rewarded with a five on three. Balzer, Leroux, and Wilson were able to capitalize, giving the team a 3-2 lead. From there Schmidt, Alexander, McNevan, Frey, and Wilken helped goalie Dietrich shut the door. After an exciting few minutes, the clock ticked away and the Cyclones took the game 3-2.
Congratulations to Werth, Balzer, and McNevan who won the player of the game jacket over the last three games.
The Cyclones now look forward to playing in the Wellesley/ St. Clements Silver Stick. The team plays against Mitchell again on Thursday, will face Tillsonburg on Friday, followed by Lincoln on Saturday.