Dec 20, 2014 | goldfield | 230 views
Thunder Rips Through the Cyclone
Oro was in Stayner this afternoon determined to bring their A game and met a Cyclone team that was every bit as ready
Our team was exceptionally quiet and focussed pre game knowing this was a big challenge having tied Stayner mid November.
Captain Harry addressed the team for the first time with some sound advice to his mates.
Funny thing happened after that...Justin spoke up,then Eric,then Connor,and finally Owen
Lots of leaders in this room... and then they went out on the ice and backed it up.
Stayner got on the board mid first,but we were undaunted and Jacob quickly got it back with an in tight,well positioned wrister from Doogie.
Stayner were strong at the points and had us hemmed in for extended periods in the first by holding the point strong and closing the boards...something we began to address come 2nd period.
With some adjustments Oro began to find the flow from our zone..I even saw a hinge pass!!
Centers were getting the pucks on the fly and moving it extremely well.
We still had a tendency to try and beat Stayner's Dmen by going through them rather than wide and gaining zone control..and Stayner is strong on the back end. More adjustments made.
A 5-3 opportunity saw us waste little time to take advantage.
Twenty-five seconds in we saw a gorgeous passing play from Chase down low back to Aidan high slot to Doogie for the quick release to find paydirt
Exceptionally fast, accurate passes around the horn to find the best shooting position and a 2-1 lead.
The defense was ready to play a safe,smart game as we knew their would be less time and space vs the hard charging Cyclones
Connor and Eric led the D inside the offensive blueline with quick D-D precision for great shots on goal.
Connor had at least two great wristers that almost found twine.
Hayden and Magoo were rock solid using their size,reach and big shots and excellent first passes.
Colt45,the Cerebral Assassin, was firing on all cylinders and aggressive on the puck with solid positioning and smart,smart play game long
Harry brought his best, knowing when to rush and when to play BIG D.
Wonderful game awareness, strong physicality and of course "the Kraken"... which was only thwarted this time by strong netminding.
Way to lead the team today Captain
Up 2-1 into the third and Stayner knotted the game early.This team has some serious snipe.
Ty found himself down low in Stayner's zone and circled out of the corner looking for the seam pass.
A little puck luck saw it deflect up and off Aidan's shin and into the back of the net for the 3-2 lead.
The wingers were strong in this one and while Ty struggled early he found his mojo in the last half with some nice passes just like the one to Aidan.
Edward continued his increasingly excellent play of late,charging the wing with power and speed.
Sharp
break out passes,hard on puck play and net driving in perfect position.
Confidence is ever growing in this young man each time out.
Told Big Ben post game I thought this one was his best.
He too was breaking out hard/ passing well and battling for loose pucks with his typical aggression but was skating better than I'd seen before. Getting used to wing takes time,and your hard work is paying dividends.
Beast mode effort Ben... you were a thorn in Stayner's side game long.
Jacob,fresh of the plane from Cuba,was flat out flying and a force in both zones.
The sunshine and R and R didn't hurt you game one iota Taz!
Injuries were a factor in this one with Owen and Eric missing shifts and Ben and Doogie having to limp off some shot blocks.
Owen was able to get back and played a strong two way game.
Chaser led a rush that saw the puck deflect to Aidan who ripped it five hole for the 4-2 lead with just over 4 to go.
Chaser too had an excellent two way game with strong on the puck play.
While they only recorded the one apple,he deserved credit here as well.
Incidentally,there was no POG announced post game as this was a true team effort,but Aidan deserves special mention. His game is continuing to grow stronger as a first year Peewee against bigger opponents.
He was banged around this game but simply dusted himself off and dug deeper.
Phenomenally thorough game Roadrunner with 3 big points and the heart of a lion.
Stayner pulled their goalie late and forced the play desperately.
An absolute bullet found the low corner at .49 seconds and Justin had no chance.
Occasionally,you have to tip your hat to the opposition and this thing was labelled.
Justin was in perfect position game long and made big stops through all three periods
Funny,despite playing a top tier team,he didn't have to stop a breakaway in,well, a long time.
Better Defensive focus from F and D was the reason,but we did let him see a lot of rubber from high slot/blueline
Justinator was up to the task as we have become so accustomed...and played superb.
.49 seconds was important, because on the ensuing faceoff,the clock remained fixed there for an extended period of time while Stayner tried to get the equalizer.
Upon a whistle, the clock was adjusted down to 30 something, but Stayner definitely caught a big break here
Three deep zone faceoffs saw Stayner push to tie but good draw wins,clears and puck battle saw the clock strike zero
Great relief as the boys really deserved this win.
They played a clean,hard skating,great passing match and never got drawn into nonsense.
Told them post game how proud we were of not just their play,but poise...and how they too should relish this character win.
They battled a team their equal,fought through injuires,fell behind/charged back then held on to win
A great lesson going forward on what it takes to win titles..and the best medicine an ailing Coach could ask for
Way to bring the Thunder boys!
Final;
Oro 4- Stayner 3