The Davidson Cyclones senior men’s hockey team are making a push for a top two finish in the Long Lake Hockey League in a quest to avoid a first round league playoff as their focus shifts to the provincial championships that start later this month.
The Cyclones (7-6) have won four of their last five games, their most recent being a 7-5 win over the Nokomis Chiefs at home Dec. 29, to move up to fourth in the standings of the six-team league. If the Cyclones can make it into second place, they gain a bye through the first round of the league playoffs starting in early February, which gives them more of a chance in the provincial “C” championships which begin in late January.
The defending 2012 league and provincial “C” champions started off their hot streak with a win against the Watrous Winterhawks at home Dec. 14, followed by a 4-3 OT victory at LeRoy Dec. 21 against the Braves and bettered a day later with a 8-3 win versus the Lanigan Pirates. The Cyclones would suffer a set back against the Canucks in Drake Dec. 28 losing 5-2, but jumped back into the win column a day later at home against the Chiefs.
“Both teams were missing some guys, but it was an alright game,” said Cyclones head coach Jason Shaw about their win over the Chiefs. “The first period, there was no score, and then we got up 7-2 (in the second). The third period was lackluster on our part. It was 7-5, the final, but it’s a win.”
The ice appeared to be heavily tilted in the Cyclones favour during the first period as they peppered Chiefs goaltender Matt Shenher with shots from all areas of the offensive zone. Shenher held his ground making miraculous save after save during the first twenty minutes, but appeared to be out of gas by the start of the second.
“After scoring not too many goals in the last game, we were getting a little worried,” said Cyclones netminder Mark Zoerb. “Then in the second period it sure opened up for us. Usually once you get that (first) one by them, it seems to open everything up.”
To read more please see the Jan. 7 print edition of The Davidson Leader.