Dec 07, 2020 | smather | 481 views
5vs5 play. Game 1!
First game of 5vs5 play in months was everything the crowd was expecting.
The U12 Cyclones hit the ice on Sunday at the nostalgic Memorial arena. After months of waiting, the team got back to 5 on 5 hockey. With a few modifications thrown in there, the game play was fast. Big shout out to the U11's (Connor Campbell, Andrew Sudicky, Josh Vowell and Taylor Vandeven) who did not look out of place and contributed on both sides of the puck.
Game 1 started out with much anticipation as the fans sat on the edge of their seats from the drop of the puck. Action was intense and it didn't take very long to light up the scoreboard. Curdog Currie let go a twisted wrister from the slot that went top shelf putting Team White up 1-0. The sneaky Cobra Cassey put Team White up by 2 as he came across a turnover near the crease of Downtown Brown and made no mistake with it. Team Black was able to cut the lead in half when Boom Boom Rolo let go a blast after keeping the puck in near the blueline. The puck bounced off a Team White defender and found it's way over Big Game Beeker's shoulder. The pace remained quick, and with time ticking away, Downtown Brown made his way to the bench for an extra attacker. After a few attempts on goal, Big Game Beeker turned Team Black away and Cobra Cassey put the nail in the coffin with an empty netter.
Game 2 saw Team White carry the momentum and the play early on. Scoring began with Greasy Wheelz Anderson sniping on his off wing. Team White wasn't satisfied there and it was a U11, the Valiant Josh Vowell getting on the scoreboard with a wicked wrister of his own. Now up 2-0, Crazy Legs Corneil found a burst of speed and with a well placed shot tickled the twine as well. Not wanting to fold after being down three, Team Black found some life that came at the hands of Connor Cougar Campbell. Connor battled to gain some open ice and with defenders breathing down his back was able to slide the puck home before being brought down, putting Team Black on the board.
The action tightened up defensively in game 3. The boys started to take some pride in their defensive assignments and began shutting each other down in the d-zone. A little less puck watching and some more attention to detail highlighted the action. Team Black was able to gain their first lead of the day when Slippery Sudicky found Big Papa Decook out front who buried a well placed shot low blocker. From there, Team Black went into shutdown mode, killed off a penalty and kept the game play out of their end of the ice. As the buzzer sounded, Team Black gave themselves a chance to tie up the day going into game 4.
Knowing an opportunity to gain an early edge in the series, both teams came out flying in Game 4. Big Game Beeker and Downtown Brown were just as intense turning aside early opportunities at both ends. Team Black went up by 1 when Cougar Campbell went bardownski with a beautiful wrister off the right side. Team White was able to tie things up when Cobra Cassey buried a rebound. The scoring continued as Big Papa Decook returned the favor to Slippery Sudicky with a nice pass from behind the net and Andrew buried one of his own. The finisher came when Cougar Campbell turned over the puck and notched his third of the day sealing the win for Team White and just like that the day was tied at two wins a piece. Guess what that means? That's right. 2vs2 Ot action.
Both teams, a little tired heading into OT, had opportunities that could of finished each other off, however the tenders were up to the challenges. As timed ticked away and with the Zamboni driver looking in from ice level preparing to sound the buzzer and open the big door Team White came across a 2 on 1. Taylor Vicious Vandeven made an unselfish pass over to Bam Bam Cam. Cam with his head up, gave Team White an early lead in the series as he potted the game winner low blocker side.
Nice to get back to 5 on 5 action and lots to look forward to as we continue into December.