Under 13 (U13) - U13-C
Storm Watch: 15th Edition
Storm Watch: 15th Edition
Game 1: January 12, 2023
After a come from behind win against the Stars, the Carleton Place U13C Cyclones met up with the Kanata Rangers at the Bell Centennial Arena this Thursday. These two teams met early in the season when the Cyclones were still searching for their identity. Expectations were high coming into the game. The Cyclones definitely have an identity now and they have strung together an impressive record. The girls did not disappoint. They crashed the ice and controlled the zone from puck drop, putting together one of their best opening periods of the season. Rangers staff were worried that they may never clear the puck. Alas, the Cyclones could not buy a goal in the first. Shots were there a plenty but were all turned away. One must think that even one of them finding the back of the net may have changed the outcome of this game.
Momentum carried into the second period. Tender, Josie "the wall" Halayko, wasn't tested much, but she was there when needed. The defence were putting on a clinic, keeping the Rangers to the outside. The Cyclones took a minor hit when a well-placed shot found the back of the net and the Rangers took a 1-0 lead, but they responded just over a minute later. A blocked shot allowed Sophia Brown to send Lila Faris on a breakaway. Despite having to fight off a defender, Faris made no mistake and buried the tying goal. Once again, the Cyclones had come from behind to tie the game. Things stayed balanced throughout the second period.
The third period saw legs get a little heavier and passes a little less sharp. A moment of momentum was sparked when the Cyclones got a powerplay early in the period. Unfortunately, a quick breakdown allowed the Rangers the slight window they needed to capitalize and put the go-ahead goal in the back of the net. The Rangers would add one more before the end of the game and take it 3-1. But this was not a bad loss. This was not a flat start, or a game riddled with mistakes. This was a hard battle, where the Rangers were able to outlast and capitalize on the few opportunities they got. Talks after the game were positive for the most part. The defense are now being activated in the attack zone. Puck confidence is growing. This is a team that can really put together a great 32 minutes of hockey. Though the unbeaten streak was broken, there was no need to hang their heads. These are the losses that your take away a great deal of learning and optimism for future meetings.
Player of the Game
Meredith Clarke
Game 2: January 14, 2023
An early away game. A short bench. A Gloucester goalie who seemed almost unbeatable last meeting. The deck was stacked against the Carleton Place U13C Cyclones as they arrived in darkness to face the Stars in Gloucester at 8am Saturday morning. Eyes were bright, however, and the mood was tremendously positive. The team was reflecting on past successes during pre-game talks. When focused, the Cyclones have proven themselves to be the scariest team in any rink. Despite being down 4 players, the girls were ready for battle. The loss on Thursday still fresh in their minds, this was to be a rebound game. A must win.
What a game! The Cyclones stormed out of the gate, firing on all cylinders. The forwards got pucks deep and the defense kept them in there. Shots were fired from all directions. The Stars were on their heels early and the Cyclones were not letting up. An extra weapon, the defense were now being activated for shots from the point. And boy did those shots come in waves. Passes were clean. Positioning was solid. The girls were playing a textbook game of hockey. The first period ended with no score, but the message was clear- the Cyclones meant business.
Midway through the second period, a messy scramble led to a dirty goal at the side of the net. Players lay all over the ice and the puck slipped by. Goaltender, Piper "the Pipes between the Pipes" Nicholson, was solid all game. She took a shot off the helmet and continued as though it was business as usual. There are rumours that her arm grew by a foot to make one glove save, and she covered up very well. All of this was needed and the players in front of her did not let her down. A tremendous explosion of offense saw Ella Anderson fire a puck off the Stars tender who gave a juicy rebound. Shaelin Chalmers was there in the frying pan to lift it over the goalie and tie the game at 1. Another comeback! The second period ended even at one goal each.
The third period saw the Cyclones continue in much the same manner. Shots still reigned from the point. The forwards kept rushing the net. In fact, earlier in the game, a Cyclones goal was called back after it was determined the Stars goalie could not make the save. Being that the Cyclones own Lila Faris was sitting right on top of the goaltender, it was a hard call to argue against. But it demonstrated just how fierce the battles became in front. Finally, the Cyclones were able to break the tie when a scramble ensued off a shot from Sophia Brown. Katie Chase jumped on the rebound and the Cyclones celebrated taking the lead. That second goal was all they would need. With time running down, Katie Soper would make a heads-up play and carry the puck out of her zone, attempting a shot on the empty net of the Stars, who had pulled their goalie for the extra attacker. That rebound game gave the Cyclones their 10th win of the season. In a close battle between the top three teams, you can bet that every win will be that much more important as the season progresses. Way to go Cyclones!
Player of the Game
Sophia Brown
