Under 13 (U13) - U13-C
Storm Watch: Tournament Edition
Storm Watch: Tournament Edition
Northumberland welcomed the U13C Cyclones to their annual Halloween Havoc tournament this weekend. The team would face organizations from outside of their normal districts as well as a familiar foe in the Nepean Wildcats, who they recently defeated 7-4 in regular season play. Below is a game-by-game breakdown of the weekend. The storm came. It left its mark. Now, it's making its way back to the Ottawa Valley.
Game 1: October 28, 2022 @ 8am - Kitchener Lady Rangers vs Carleton Place Cyclones
In the first game of tournament play the Cyclones took a bit of time to find their feet. The first period left a little to be desired, but much could be chalked up to travel and the early start time. The Lady Rangers struck first with a goal midway through the first period. The Cyclones knew they had not been at their best. The mood changed. The intensity increased. As chances became more and more present, Shae Chalmers netted the first goal of the game on a beautiful pass from Ava McGarry. Chalmers would add another before the end of the period, assisted by Ava McGarry and Meredith Clarke. With that, the Cyclones went into the third up by one. Clara Salter would add to the lead midway through the third with a strange bounce off the draw. Shae Chalmers would complete the hattrick shortly after, assisted by Katie Chase. On the same shift Chalmers would then send up a perfect breakout pass to Lila Faris who battled up the ice to break free and net the Cyclones' fifth goal of the game. The Lady Rangers would add one more, but the Cyclones had done enough to secure the 5-2 win. As the game progressed, the team really found their momentum. Tender, Piper Nicholson kept the puck out of the net and the defense locked things down. The opening game was a statement: THE CYCLONES ARE HERE!
A post-game interview with the game referee provided some insight into the Cyclones' success. He was reported to have commented, "I have never seen a girls' hockey team who were so strong at using their feet to move the puck!" (Referring in part to Katie Soper's soccer kick into the offensive corner) In response to the Cyclones penalties he said, "A good, hardworking team will take a few penalties in a game."
Cyclones Player of the Game: Lila Faris
Tournament Player of the Game: Shae Chalmers
Game 2: October 28, 2022 @ 2pm- Carleton Place Cyclones vs London Devilettes
Referred to in some circles as the "game of the tournament". The Cyclones appeared to have met their match when they came up against the strong London team. The neutral zone was shut down and any offense was incredibly difficult to come by. Add to that the strong forward presence of the Devilettes and it was clear that defense and netminder, Josie Halayko, would need to be perfect. Lucky for the Cyclones, they were! It took only one goal to decide the game. That goal came in the second period when Sophia Brown got the puck to Shae Chalmers in the defensive zone. Chalmers skated through hooks, trips, and a cross-check to carry the puck to the Devilettes' net, firing a shot that bounced off the netminders' shoulder. Katie Chase pounced on the rebound to put in the only goal needed to take the game. Despite some penalty trouble, the Cyclones fought off all advances from the Devilettes. Halayko shut the door through every breakaway and scramble, and the Cyclones came through with their second straight win. Strong backchecks from Daria Sullivan and Clara Salter went a long way to securing the victory.
Cyclones Player of the Game: Julia Olmsted
Tournament Player of the Game: Josie Halayko
Game 3: October 29, 2022 @ 7am (YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT!)- Carleton Place Cyclones vs Woodstock Wildcats
With the momentum building, it was inevitable that the Cyclones would run into a speed bump or two. This was the win, that didn't quite feel like a win. The team started strong, keeping the play in the Wildcats' end for much of the first period. Shae Chalmers would put one home near the end of the first period, assisted by linemate Ava McGarry. Chances by Ella Anderson and Ava McGarry soon followed, but the Woodstock goalie came up big. During the coach talk at the end of the first period, Coach Joe emphasized a quick start to the second. Shae Chalmers took that to heart and carried the puck from the opening face-off to the net to score her second of the game, ten seconds into the second period! Sophia Brown would find the back of the net later in the period to put the Cyclones up 3-0! Clara Salter and Mila Straznicky had the helpers. All was looking good going into the third period when the wheels fell off. The Cyclones fell apart for all of 4 minutes in the third period, but that was enough to allow two goals and to put Woodstock back in a fighting position. The Cyclones were scrambling on their heels but managed to keep the puck out of the net for the remainder of the game- stealing a 3-2 win. The mood in the dressing room was much like a loss, despite coming away with the victory. The team knew they were better than their performance. Heads were hung low, but the Cyclones did not accept defeat. They shook it off. Coach Mark coined the phrase, "It's okay to feel Poopy", summing up the solemn reflection taking place in the changeroom. (T-shirts are now available!) Chalk it up to the early morning, a misreading of the opponent, ... The Cyclones learned yet another important lesson. Play every minute!
In a post-game chat, netminder Piper Nicholson discussed the option to start in the afternoon game. She was not happy with her performance that morning and wanted to demonstrate how she could bounce back. The coaching staff allowed the swap.
Cyclones Player of the Game: Katie Soper
Tournament Player of the Game: Mila Straznicky
Game 4: October 29. 2022 @ 2:15pm - Nepean Wildcats vs Carleton Place Cyclones
Rivals met for the first time in the tournament, less than a week after their last regular season meeting. This was a game for the ages! It was rough, fast, and even dirty at times. The two teams displayed a strong desire to win the entire game. In a game that would see a total of 5 penalties, every inch of ice was fought for. The Cyclones found themselves in penalty trouble in the first. Shae Chalmers won a draw in the defensive zone and Meredith Clarke hit her with an outlet pass. Check shorthanded goal off your hockey bingo card- Chalmers had the first goal of the game on the penalty kill. Tensions did not ease. Katie Chase would score in the second period from behind the net. A fortuitous bounce that resulted off a pass from Sophia Brown. But still, no one could settle. The ice tilted back and forth. Players were knocked to the ice. Sticks were flying! It wasn't until Sophia Brown roofed a shot top shelf (where the peanut butter cookies are kept) in the third period that the Cyclones could breathe a sigh of relief. Clara Salter had the assist. Nothing slowed, but the Cyclones had done enough. Piper Nicholson was shutting the door left and right. Her bounce back performance was that of legend, securing herself a shutout and player of the game.
Although the Cyclones had done enough to secure a spot in the finals prior to this game, they wanted to make a statement and set the tone. Why? They would face Nepean yet again in the finals. OFF TO THE MEDAL ROUND!
Cyclones Player of the Game: Sophia Brown
Tournament Player of the Game: Piper Nicholson
The Finals: October 30, 2022 @ 1pm- Carleton Place Cyclones vs Nepean Wildcats
What are you capable of? What is your limit? How far can you push yourselves? These questions echoed in the pre-game speech Sunday afternoon. Less than 24 hours after defeating the Wildcats 3-0, the two teams would face off in the finals. Things felt different. Both teams knew what was on the line. Carleton Place had the momentum, but the Wildcats had vengeance as motivation. The landscape was set for a gritty finale. Both teams would come out strong, but the Wildcats struck first, beating Halayko with a high corner shot- a "goal scorer's goal". The Cyclones responded soon after when Lila Faris fed Shae Chalmers in front of the net who put home the tying goal. Minutes later, Chalmers would score another one off a scramble and the Cyclones would take a one goal lead. Faris had the helper yet again. The first period ended in the Cyclones favor, but the tempo was high. In a game this close, one mistake separates a puck clear from a goal. The Cyclones found themselves scrambling a little and the Wildcats capitalized to tie the game 2-2. The third period saw each team giving no quarter. The Cyclones found themselves shorthanded but were able to kill off the penalty. Things looked as though this game could head to overtime when the Wildcats caught a break in the neutral zone and took it to the Cyclones end, scoring what would be the game winner. The Cyclones didn't give up. They had chances. They pulled their goalie and fought for the equalizer. Alas, it was not their day. The Wildcats hung on to win the game and the tournament. Emotions ran high as the Cyclones saluted their competitors. Rivals yes. But respected rivals. This is not the last time these two teams will meet and what a blessing that is for fans of hockey.
The team was obviously disappointed to take home silver instead of gold, but Coach Jordan assured all the players that they put on a performance they should be proud of. Achieving five straight victories is no easy feat and the Cyclones came up one goal short of a perfect run. Assistant Captain Sophia Brown spoke of previous experiences stating, "I've been on teams that lost every game and became okay with losing. We are not one of those teams. We will be better."
Anyone following the Cyclones this weekend saw a team becoming a TEAM. They are learning from mistakes, cleaning up problem areas, and finding what it takes to dig deep. They did not return home with the hardware they set out for, but they came home with hardware, nonetheless. They learned an important lesson, a team that hates to lose is more dangerous than a team that loves to win. The tears will clear, and the girls will find a lot to be proud of. The heart is there. The Cyclones will roar once more!
Cyclones Player of the Game: Daria Sullivan
Tournament Player of the Game: Clara Salter
Quick Tournament Facts
1.) The U13C Cyclones had the most penalty minutes in round robin play (16 minutes)
2.) The U13C Cyclones recorded 2 shutouts in 4 games in round robin play
3.) The U13C Cyclones recorded 1 shorthanded goal, 1 powerplay goal, and 1 hattrick during tournament play
4.) The U13C Cyclones scored 12 goals while allowing only 4 against during round robin play
5.) The U13C Cyclones pulled their goalie for the first time and were able to maintain pressure in the offensive end without giving up an empty net goal
6.) The U13C Cyclones killed off all but one of their penalties during tournament play
