Under 13 (U13) - U13-C
Storm Watch: Playdown Edition
Storm Watch: Playdown Edition
What a season for the Carleton Place U13C Cyclones! After clinching the playoffs and finishing regular season play with a 3-0 over the Glengarry Highlanders, the Cyclones were off to the playdowns in hopes of attaining a spot in this year's Provincials. The series would consist of 4 games- each against a division rival beginning with the Smiths Falls Cubs.
Game 1: February 26, 2023 VS Smiths Falls
The Cyclones came into Smiths Falls on a high note. The energy was there, and the team was confident that they could break their Sunday curse and seal a victory in the first playdown game of the season. For many, this was their first playdown game ever!
The pre-game talk focused on a strong start and getting a lot of shots to the net. The two teams split the victories in their last two regular season meetings, so nothing was taken for granted. The girls had already experienced how a rough start can cost you down the line, as it had in the Belleville tournament, and were ready to put that experience to the test.
Unfortunately for the Cyclones, the team came out a little slower than expected. Puck battles were lost, and the team seemed a little scattered. This was a far cry from their performance less than 24 hours prior. Two lucky breaks saw the Cubs take an early 2 goal lead and put the Cyclones on their heels in the first period.
Shaelin Chalmers would cut the lead in half with a well-timed wrap around near the end of the second, but the Cubs responded with their third goal of the match- coming off a scramble at the side of the net. Ellie Sloan and Tessa Creamer picked up the helpers on Chalmers' goal.
Katie Chase would cut the lead to 1 halfway through the third period with a beautiful read on a rebound and the Cyclones were back in the game. Ellie Sloan picked up her second assist of the game with Ava McGarry recording the other helper. With the Cyclones finding their rhythm, a timeout was called, and the goalie was pulled in the last minute. From here the girls put on an offensive clinic. There was tremendous pressure in the Cubs' zone, but shots were turned aside, and the Cyclones were not able to bury the tying goal.
Prior to the game, the coaching staff talked about the team being unbeatable if they could bottle what they did against Glengarry and find that desire and energy on a consistent basis. Alas, the Sunday curse struck again, and the Cyclones had dropped the first of their playdown efforts. Going forward, the girls knew that nothing less than perfection would get them to Provincials.
Player of the Game: Ella Anderson
Game 2: March 2, 2023 VS Kanata
With their Provincials future truly on the line, the Cyclones arrived in Kanata to face off against the Rangers, a team that they had lost to 3-1 in each of their four previous outings. The pressure was on, but the mood was calm. Mathematically, the girls were due for a win. The beautiful thing about hockey is that anything can happen once that puck is dropped.
The Cyclones started strong against the Rangers. They created a good deal of offense and were sure to keep the Rangers hemmed in their own end for much of the first period. Sophia Brown had a jump in her step but complained to trainer Tess about a lost edge on her skate. A quick touch-up and she was back on the ice. And a good thing too. Minutes after her re-edge she exited the Cyclones zone with Katie Chase. Shaelin Chalmers headlined a pass up to Katie and the two entered the Rangers zone on a 2-on-1. Katie fired a pass over to Sophia who cleverly directed the puck from her skate to her stick. The crowd paused as the shot came off her stick and Sophia sailed into the corner. If a photo of the shot was taken it should grace the front of cereal boxes across the country. The puck crossed the line and the bench and stands erupted! The Cyclones took a 1-0 lead.
The Cyclones entered the third period with a 1-0 lead over the Rangers. Historically, this is where the games fell apart in Kanata. But not tonight. Josie "the wall" Halayko was lights out the entire night. She had the Rangers looking skyward as she turned shot after shot away. She even made a save on a shot after the buzzer in the second period- just for good measure. And she was no less incredible in the third period. The peak of which coming after a collapse in the Cyclones end. The puck got to the Rangers in the frying pan, but Josie was there to make the save and cover the puck. Halayo will surely be a name that brings nightmares to the Rangers as they think back on this game.
With less than a minute left, the Cyclones found themselves with a face-off in their own end. They made no mistake. The draw was won, and the puck was cleared and dumped into the Kanata end. From there the girls shut it down at the blue line and came away with their first win over the Kanata Rangers. As the buzzer rang it was safe to say "SHUTOUT"! And with that, the playdowns got a little more interesting.
Player of the Game: Sophia Brown
Game 3: March 5, 2023 VS Gloucester
The Cyclones found themselves in an interesting scenario welcoming the Gloucester Stars into their home rink for a Sunday evening game. Based on the standings, the Cyclones could clinch provincials with a win. A loss, however, would put their future out of their own hands as they would then require a win over Nepean and a Smiths Falls win over Gloucester. Could the team control their own destiny and secure their spot in provincials?
The Cyclones came out on fire and played with complete dominance. They were, however, met with a phenomenal goalie. Luckily, Piper "the Pipes between the pipes" Nicholson was in shutout mode herself! Shot after shot was turned away but the Cyclones gave no quarter. This was the energy that was needed to truly compete in these big games.
Finally, near the end of the second period, Ella Anderson was sent in on a clear breakaway. She demonstrated amazing patience and made a beauty move to beat the Gloucester tender. It would appear that Ella was trying to top herself for goal of the year after her last top shelf snipe.
The game saw the defense shooting with gusto. Katie Soper and Julia Olmsted must have reached double-digits between the two of them. Pucks came from all directions. Nicholson did not have to face a lot of shots but was there when called upon- particularly with an incredible glove save that seemed to be the icing on the cake of a great team effort. Fans were also treated to tremendous back checking. On one occasion Clara Salter literally gave everything she could to make sure she shut down the Stars in the neutral zone and needed time to recover on the bench. That is the effort that wins championships!
With little time left the Cyclones hung onto the 1 goal lead. A late penalty put the fans on edge as it appeared the team would face the end of the game short-handed. Pressure was eased in the dying seconds, however, as Shaelin Chalmers fired a shot from high in the frying pan and netted the Cyclones second goal of the game. Katie Chase got the helper. With 8 seconds left, the team counted down and rushed to the ice to celebrate the win with the knowledge that they had indeed broken the Sunday curse and made their way to Provincials.
Might I add that this was the Cyclones' second shutout in as many games. Great job tendies!
Player of the Game: Clara Salter
The fourth game of the playdowns would not actually happen. A ref shortage led to the game being cancelled- which was okay as the Cyclones had already received confirmation from the OWHA that they had made Provincials. Instead, the Cyclones and the Nepean Wildcats had a friendly scrimmage followed by a shootout. I'm told donuts were also provided for the visiting team. The Wildcats are wished the best of luck as they head to Brampton for the Canadettes tournament in April.
As for the Cyclones... Provincials baby!!!!
**But first they will face off against the Kanata Rangers in the playoffs. Let's hope the girls have what it takes to make it to Championship Day.**
LET'S GO CYCLONES!!!
