Under 13 (U13) - U13-C
Storm Watch: 12th Edition
Storm Watch: 12th Edition
The Carleton Place U13C Cyclones travelled to meet the Glengarry Highlanders in an effort to right a past wrong. The Highlanders delivered the Cyclones their first lost of the season when the two teams first met. Since then, Glengarry has put on an impressive display and have remained undefeated in regular season play. The two were meant to meet again on Cyclones Day, but the game was postponed due to a reduced roster. Our Storm Watch spoke of a team with two identities when the Cyclones fell 5-2 back in October. Did the Cyclones have what it takes to hand the mighty Highlanders their first loss of the season? Could they be the team that took the Kanata competitive tournament? Fans were optimistic. In fact, even coach Halayko said, "I have a good feeling about today," prior to puck drop. The dressing room roared to life as the starting line-ups were announced and the Cyclones took to the ice with grit and determination.
First point in the pre-game talk was to get on the board early. The Cyclones did not disappoint. In the very first minute of play, Shaelin Chalmers made her way up the ice and drove to the net with absolute resolve to bury the puck. She took the defense and the goalie with her. In the utter chaos that ensued, Lila Faris (aka the Tasmanian Devil) got a stick on the loose puck and buried the first of the game. The Cyclones kept up the pressure. Two minutes later, however, the Highlanders put a screened shot passed netminder, Josie Halayko, to tie the game at 1. The Cyclones response was quick. Sophia Brown came up with the puck in the corner and fired a laser beam pass out front to Clara Salter, who made no mistake and puffed out the back of the net for the Cyclones second of the game. The Highlanders trailed as the period came to a close. After the game, it was echoed throughout the lobby that the Cyclones could have won 6-1 if they had kept up the pace seen in the first period. The Highlanders were visibly exhausted as the team from Carleton Place gave everything and more.
The second period saw a lull, as has become an issue as of late. Instead of putting the Highlanders away, the Cyclones found themselves trapped in their own end. Shots were few and the girls were put on the defensive. By the end of the game, Halayko would face a total of 30 shots. Her play was outstanding and a big part of what kept the Cyclones in the game. The board would not budge in the second period, despite a powerplay opportunity near the end of the period. Katie Soper showed off some of her hard work in practice by keeping players to the outside on rushes.
The Cyclones found their top gear for the start of the third period, but the Highlanders had also hit a groove. Battles were hard. Ice was hard to come by. As the clock trickled down, the Highlanders pulled their goalie and went all in to try to tie the game up. The Cyclones were hemmed in their end for sometime before finally breaking down the ice. Chalmers fed the puck out to Lila for a possible second goal, but the Highlander defense interrupted the play. With time running out, however, the puck was out of the danger zone and the Cyclones held on to defeat the Glengarry Highlanders 2-1. The battle for first place just got a little more interesting as the Cyclones move within 3 points of the Highlanders, with a game in hand.
What game would be complete without a little controversy. Reports from the stands indicate that the Cyclones had actually put the puck in the net three times, though it was missed by the referee and linesman. No need to worry. The Cyclones had done enough to secure the W. With one regular season game awaiting before Christmas break, the Cyclones have now extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games. Kemptville is coming up next Sunday in CP. Let's go Cyclones! Let's complete the "12 Undefeated Games of Christmas".
Player of the Game
Katie Soper
