Our Minor Atom Cyclones travelled to Detroit this past weekend to participate in their first tournament action of the season. Coming off an extended break in game action our Cyclones bookended a pair of wins to skate home from the Motor City with a 2-2 record.
GAME #1 -- OFFENSE BREAKS OUT FOR 6-1 VICTORY OVER SOUTHERN TIER ADMIRALS
Coming off of a 13 day game action break our Cyclones were slow to find their legs as the teams skated to a 0-0 tie after 1.
Justin Ewald ignited the offense just 14 seconds into the 2nd frame on a feed from Luke Chickowski and our Cyclones would not look back. Chickowski from Gavin Meriano followed by Abby Stonehouse from Aidan Edwards and Owen Campbell would see our Cyclones enter the 3rd up 3-0 and the offense kept trucking. Cole Labadie, from Jeffery MacKinnon and Lucas Laprise and Edwards from Stonehouse would provide a 5-0 lead with the only question left to answer being Jack Martin's shutout bid. Unfortunately an unlucky bounce with 1:20 to go would see the Admirals spoil Martin's efforts. Gavin Meriano unassisted would reply and give our Cyclones the 6-1 victory. Chickowski would take home the 'Howie's Hockey Grinder' of the game award.
GAME#2 -- DON'T BACK DOWN ATTITUDE AGAINST HIGH POWERED MARLIES EARNS 'TEAM HARD HAT' AWARD
Despite a 9-0 loss our Cyclones showed tremendous compete, heart and determination against a strong Marlies team. Falling behind 5-0 in the first our Cyclones battled right to the end allowing 3 2nd period goals and only 1 third period goal never quitting. 9-0 was not indicative of the fight our Cyclones showed earning the 'TEAM' the hard worker Hard Hat Award.
GAME #3 -- WAKE UP CALL NEVER COMES IN EARLY MORNING LOPSIDED LOSS TO SUBURBAN STARS
Our Cyclones were there, but it was evident early and often the 7:30am start came before the wake up call ever did. The work ethic and compete of a day before were absent and our Cyclones fell behind 7-0 after 1 eventually falling 10-1 with the lone marker coming by Gavin Meriano on a feed from Ewald and Chickowski. Hard Hat aware would not be earned on this morning.
GAME #4 -- BUZZER BEATER, SHUTOUT PAVE ROAD TO 'W' OVER FLORIDA ALLIANCE AND .500 WEEKEND
Our Cyclones returned to the ice Saturday afternoon bringing with them their hard hats and lunch pails from the day before. Both offenses would be held in check in a tightly contested well goaltended game. 0-0 through 2 periods both teams would trade breakaway opportunities late in the 3rd before Cole Labadie's shot with 4 ticks to go would find the twine. Jack Martin would be forced to make one last save earning the shutout. Josh Hazzard would take home the Hard Hat award for his strong defensive play.
The Minor Atoms take to the road again next weekend when they visit the Waterloo Wolves and Cambridge Hawks in 2 cross division league games.