Thursday evening we saw Atom Storm LL#1, Alan’s Fireside
Grill, host the Atom Storm LL#2 team in Southampton.
These are always great matches as the stands are full of fans supporting
both Storm teams.
Big Save Benny was sick for this game so a big shout out to Hunter for stepping up for the position between the pipes without even getting a practice in beforehand and Andy for stepping up to play the wing in Hunter’s spot.
As the puck dropped for the opening faceoff Storm#1 took to Storm#2's zone right away as they knew they needed to work hard to get chances against the undefeated opposition. This aggressive work seemed to be paying off as most of the play in the first period was in the Storm #2's end. They were working hard to win the battles down low and get shots on net and passes out front. The wingers Jack, Charlie, Andy, Ismail, Sabra, and Peter really did a great job of getting on the puck and forcing the Storm#2 players to cough it up; this made it very difficult for them to leave the zone. Things were looking really good until 2:35 of the first Storm#2 managed to get one past Hunter despite his great effort to make the save. Storm#1 battled back but were unable to get the goal back for Hunter before the end of the period and Storm#2 remained in the lead by one at period end.
The second Hunter was tested a few times real early but made great stops to hold his team in the game. Storm#2 came back and slipped another past the goal line and the score was now 2-0. As the centers, Jake, Wes, Riley worked real hard trying to get shots off they also worked very well in their own end helping the defense out and supporting the pressure in the oppositions end. This great work paid off when Jake dangled his way through a few players and tucked one home bottom corner to but his team back in it at 5:19 unassisted. The Storm #1 defense, Zac, Andrew, Ian, and Josh, looked real strong on their opponents teams blueline holding it real strong and getting shots through to the net or back in deep in the corner. Unfortunately at 3:30 left in the second Storm #2 scored again that ended the scoring for the second with Storm#1 behind by two despite their hard work and solid effort and the fantastic work in net by Hunter.
The opening of the third Storm#1 one again came out strong and Hunter continued his great work in goal making some real great saves. Storm#2 got lucky again at 11:56 during a power play. Storm #1 continued to truck along trying their best when Riley working the corner battled through two players made the pass out front to find Charlie who redirected the puck into the back of the net at 6:02 of the period, Charlie with the goal and Riley the assist. Storm#2 found the mesh again on the power play at 3:36 and then again at even strength a minute later.
Despite the score on the board the Storm#1 looked pretty good this game and fought hard all game. Hunter was great in net and was the recipient of the Digger Award as well as the game puck. Good game team and keep your chins up, you all worked hard and as a team on the ice, and the coaches were pleased with the compete level especially in the first period.
Big tournament this weekend in Tiverton, games as follows:
-8am vs Storm#2
-12pm vs Hanover
-4pm vs South Huron
This should be a really fun time, and the Coaching Staff are really looking forward to it.