January 16, 2015, News, Atom AE, U11 (OMHA), 2015-2016 (Saugeen Shores Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2015-2016 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Jan 21, 2016 | Evan Martin | 669 views
January 16, 2015
OMHA Game 2 Allen's Fireside Atom AE vs. Listowel Cyclones in Listowel

At this point in the season, the fans get a little more excited, the kids dig a little deeper, and the coaches get a little greyer...it's playoff time!

The game 2 stage was set, Listowel Memorial Arena, 2pm.  From the first drop of the puck, you could tell the home team wanted retribution for the OT loss in Southampton on Friday, but our kids didn't give an inch.  All of the players were battling hard to keep the Cyclones at bay.  With lots of pressure in the opposing end, the forwards were definitely doing their jobs, and when the D were called upon, they answered by holding the line, and clearing the defensive zone.  This game was back and forth, with great chances at both ends of the ice.  Lettau and his counterpart at the other end were tested, and both rose to the occasion.  Looking as though the game would go to first intermission knotted at 0-0, the fans were on the edges of their seats, until a puck slipped out into the high slot at 1:58 of the first and Martin put it shelf where mom keeps the peanut butter to put our Storm on top 1-0.  For the last bit of the first we were able to keep the home team off the board.

The second period was very much like the first, there was great two way play, goalies making huge saves, defence holding lines, and forwards peppering tenders with shot after shot.  Our team was holding off the opposition, but with 2:29 left in the frame, the pesky Cyclones were able to squeak one by Lettau on an unfortunate bounce.  The great play continued, and at the sound of the horn, this game was knotted at 1 a piece.

The third period started, much the same as the last 2 periods, with strong play, and great puck movement.  Battling hard for supremacy, Storm was trying hard for another lead, unfortunately though, just 1:03 into the period, Listowel fired a shot that ricocheted off their own player, and handcuffed Lettau to give the Cyclone their first lead of the game.  With a lot of crashing and banging, it was clear the refs were letting the kids play, with no penalties to this point, and very few icing calls.  This was playoffs at their best.  Pressure at both ends and great battles in the corners.  Unfortunately for us at 6:20 the Cyclones threw one in the cage for a commanding 2 goal lead.  Pulling out all the stops, Coach Rich called Lettau to the bench, the final 2 minutes of the game were played with the extra attacker.  We had some great chances, and played some awesome defence, but alas we ended the game at a 2 goal deficit, 3-1 to the home team.  We would have to wait till Monday night to exact some revenge...To be continued......