Under 13 (U13) - U13-C
Storm Watch: 18th Edition
Storm Watch: 18th Edition
The Carleton Place U13C Cyclones had a busy weekend with back-to-back games. The team has understood season's end would not be easy. They would be facing the likes of Kanata and Glengarry, while also meeting Smiths Falls and Nepean who are both vying for the last playoff spot. In the preceding practices the focus had been on proper positioning and jumping on rebounds. The coaching staff made it clear very early on in the year that it would be "ugly" goals that won games and that rebounds and net battles would be essential to the team's success.
Saturday February 18, 2023
The Smiths Falls Cubs arrived in Carleton Place on Saturday ready to build off their previous 2-0 win over the Cyclones. Tensions were high. These two teams have been rivals since their pre-season meetings and the intensity has only increased as Smiths Falls battles for 4th in their last few games. Despite outshooting the Cubs in the last game, the Cyclones fell 2-0 amidst a three-game slide. The Cyclones were looking to get back in the W column.
When the two teams hit the ice, the energy was frenetic. Despite the teams skating hard, it was all a bit chaotic throughout the first period. The first ten minutes would give no indication of the game's outcome as the two teams went into the first intermission tied at 0-0. The message between periods was to calm down a little and to focus.
Less than a minute into the second period, the Cubs got on the board with a pass that squeaked through to an open player in front of the net. The Cubs' crowd erupted! Although the Cyclones worked hard, they got into penalty trouble with two retaliation penalties brought about by aggressive play from both sides. The Cyclones would go into the third down 1-0. Coach Halayko would later remark that he was not concerned at all by the score as he knew the team would come back.
The third period was where the Cyclones found their groove. Halfway through the period Ava McGarry would bury a rebound, checking-off a key coaching point from the pre-game talk. The play started with a D-to-D pass that led to a shot/pass from Tessa Creamer to Shaelin Chalmers. Ava made no mistake and did not hesitate in tying the game at 1-1. Nearing the end of the third, the Cyclones were firing on all cylinders. Questions surrounded a puck crossing the line, but the Cyclones were awarded a Powerplay as there was a penalty called on the play. The Cubs were having a hard time matching the Cyclones tempo and fell into penalty issues, taking 3 consecutive penalties in the last few minutes of the game. Here the Cyclones found the game winner. Shaelin Chalmers won the draw forward in the offensive zone and got off a shot that went five-hole. It would prove to be the game winner. The Cyclones looked to be back and better than ever as the game came to a close.
Throughout the game fans were treated to the Cyclones play making. The defense was utilized in the offensive zones. Stretch passes cleared the neutral zone and led to excellent chances- most notably being Ella Anderson's breakaway chance. Josie "the wall" Halayko made not one, but two save of the year candidates- including a beauty that ended up in her glove and stunned the opposing Cubs. As the regular season draws to a close and wins are harder to come by it was nice to see the Cyclones put on a show. They would be challenged again the next day in Nepean.
Player of the Game
Ava McGarry
Sunday February 19, 2023
The battles between the Nepean Wildcats and the Carleton Place Cyclones have almost achieved mythical status. They always prove to be aggressive and hard-fought matches with wins exchanging hands throughout. Sunday was no different. In fact, it proved to be the most physical and chippy game that the Cyclones had been involved in all year. Fans can debate penalty calls and non-calls for years to come, but the game still comes down to the two teams on the ice. This was not just a game for Nepean as they battled for the final playoff spot.
The game did not start off great for the Cyclones who ended up down 2-0 in the first period despite having a 5 on 3 powerplay late in the period. Despite the aggressive nature of the game, this would be the last time the Cyclones saw Powerplay action all game. The second period added nothing to the scoreboard but did see blows exchanged on the ice with regularity.
In a game that was difficult to maintain composure, the Cyclones played smart. Frustrations built in the third, however, and the Cyclones found themselves killing off three consecutive penalties. Despite this, they were gaining momentum. Katie Chase would finally bury a rebound late in the third to give her team life. Shaelin Chalmers and Ava McGarry got the helpers. Had the game been another few minutes longer, the Cyclones may have taken over- but alas the clock was the enemy, and the Cyclones could not get the tying goal. The defeat was frustrating for the players. The nature of the game made it hard to gain momentum. Coach Chalmers felt the sting as he faced the opposing players with blue and yellow ribbons in his beard. The takeaway is that the rivalry has definitely been rekindled and the girls will be ready for the Wildcats when they face them in Playdown action later this month. Sometimes it takes defeat to wake the beast. The Cyclones broke even this weekend with a win and a loss. 3 goals for and 3 goals against. The competition is heating up and the Cyclones are ready to rip through whatever stands in their way!
Player of the Game
Ellie Sloan
