Weekend Wrap-Up Feb. 20, 21
The Atom AE Cyclones continued their round robin play over
the weekend, going 1-1.
The team’s first game came Saturday versus BCH. The Cyclones came out ready to play and dominated early. All three lines started the game well, and spent a large amount of time in the offensive zone. Just before the midway point of the period, the team was able to capitalize on their efforts, scoring to take a 1-0 lead. The Cyclones would add another just over a minute later to take a two goal lead. However, BCH would not go away as they scored a goal of their own less than a minute later to get back within one. With time winding down in the period, the Cyclones continued to play well. They played hard right until the end of the period, which paid off as the team regained their two goal lead with twelve seconds left in the period.
The Cyclones continued with their momentum to begin the second period. With some hard work off of the opening faceoff, the Cyclones were able to score just seventeen seconds into the period. Although the game looked to be in control, from here on out the Cyclones looked content to just hang on. They were able to generate very little offensively, and BCH began to keep Listowel hemmed in to their own zone. BCH was able to add another in the second period, and looked strong heading into the third.
The third saw more of the same for Listowel. The team was sitting back, and the Cyclones defense and goaltending had to hold down the fort. After a long period of battling in their own zone, the Cyclones were relieved by the sound of the final buzzer. On the strength of one strong period, the Cyclones skated away with a 4-2 win.
The following day the Cyclones travelled to Mitchell. The sluggish legs continued, as the Cyclones found themselves trailing just over a minute into the game. The team pushed back a little, and evened the score before the end of the first.
However, to start the second the Cyclones were tentative, and Mitchell took advantage. Give Mitchell credit, they played very hard on the offensive line and they had a relentless forecheck. Listowel had no answer and spent much of the period in the defensive zone. As a result, Mitchell was able to take their second lead of the game with just over one minute remaining in the period.
Entering the third the Cyclones looked to find their game. They were able to play a few solid shifts throughout the period, but were not able to string any together. Finally, with the goalie pulled they were able to send a few quality scoring chances towards the Mitchell net. However, time would wind down and the Cyclones were on the losing end 2-1.
With a weekend off coming up, the Cyclones hope a couple hard practices and a fun day of tubing on Sunday will have them motivated to finish round play in early March.