Round 2 Wrap-Up Atom AE vs. Kincardine
After a dramatic first round series, the Atom AE Cyclones
lost three one goal games to fall to Kincardine in the second round.
Game one came on the road on Jan. 27. To begin the game, the Cyclones were clearly not ready to play. After allowing a goal on the first shift, Kincardine would add two more goals in the period to take a commanding 3-0 lead heading into the second.
Finding themselves behind, the Cyclones finally woke up to start the second period. They began to get pucks in deep and forecheck the opposition. The team’s efforts paid off less than two minutes into the period as they were able to put a rebound past the Kincardine goaltender to finally get on the board. The Cyclones continued to press and dominated the rest of the second period. They stayed on the forecheck, and scored once again with just over three minutes remaining in the period.
Heading into the third the Cyclones held all of the momentum. They continued to press for the tying goal, and they would get it. Just over a minute into the third, the team tied the game at three and continued to push. They were able to generate a number of quality chances as the forwards were on the forecheck and the defense held the line. However as time ticked away the Cyclones were unable to score the go ahead goal. Finally as the final few seconds ticked down, the unthinkable happened. With just six seconds left, Kincardine were able to find the back of the net to take the game 4-3.
After the heartbreaking loss, the Cyclones returned home to Listowel on Jan. 30 knowing that they controlled the majority of game one, and they deserved a better fait. Playing in front of a noisy home crowd, they hoped to even the series. This time both teams started the game a little timid, but the pace began to pick up. Both teams exchanged scoring chances in the first but the goaltenders were up for the task and the period would end scoreless.
Heading into the second, the Cyclones began to control the play. The once again got in on the forecheck and spent a lot of time in the offensive zone. Just under two minutes into the period they were rewarded, scoring to take their first lead of the series. It was short lived though as Kincardine would answer back just four minutes later, ending the period tied 1-1.
As the third began the Cyclones looked to gain momentum once again. However, action would go both ways as both teams generated quality scoring chances. Finally, with just over four minutes remaining, following a Cyclones penalty kill the opposition were able to score again taking a 2-1 lead. After allowing another late goal the Cyclones pushed or the equalizer, but it was not meant to be as Kincardine took a 2-0 series lead.
Game three was the following day, on the road in Kincardine. With their backs against the wall, the Cyclones knew that they could easily be tied, or even winning the series. They just needed to win one game and move on to the next. With that mentality, the team played arguably their best game of the series. They came out in the first period and once again controlled much of the play. However, the team was not able to find the back of the net as the period ended scoreless.
Heading into the second the Cyclones continued to play well. They once again controlled much of the period, but could not put one past the Kincardine goalie. After the Cyclones were unable to break the tie, it was Kincardine who opened the scoring with less than thirty seconds left in the period taking a 1-0 lead.
To start the third period, the Cyclones continued to play well and controlled much of the play. The team was finally rewarded with an early goal to tie the game. With momentum clearly in their favour the team was all over Kincardine, so much so that the home team was forced to call a time out. It did not work though as Listowel continued to press. Finally, the Cyclones were able to take the lead with just over eight minutes remaining thanks to a powerplay goal. With the lead the team continued to press and the clock slowly ticked down. However, with just over three minutes remaining Kincardine tied the game forcing overtime.
As the overtime period began, Listowel knew they had been the better team, and they looked for one more goal to bring the series back to Listowel. However, the hometown team quickly dashed those hopes, scoring on the first shift of overtime to take the game and the series.
Although the Cyclones were unable to move onto the next round, the team did play well. All three games could have gone either way, the hockey gods were not on Listowel’s side this round. The team will look to continue to play well as they begin round robin play versus Mitchell, BCH, and Zurich.