The Thompsons Atom AE Meteors swept the Storm with a 2 - 1 victory today.
Game 1 - Thursday January 16 in Mitchell - 2 to 1 win in OT
Opening round of the OMHA playoffs would see the Meteors face off against a very strong Saugeen Shores Storm opponent.
As expected the game was very tight in the 1st and 2nd periods, both teams creating and stopping scoring chances. Finally at 5:44 in the third period Ellie MacArthur muscled in a rebound on a Tyler Burtenshaw point shot, with Ray Wolfe drawing the other assist.
Saugeen would keep pressing and eventually tied it up with 3:01 remaining.....and overtime it is!
In overtime the Meteors kept pressing and the parents stopped breathing! Thankfully at the 7:25 mark Cole Templeman knocked in a loose puck for the game winner! Logan Montgomery's grinding efforts and never give up attitude earned him a very important assist. Mitchell's goalie Sebastian Voros made several key saves through-out game.
Great work team, everyone played hard in this well earned overtime victory. Good luck in Game 2 on Saturday.
Game 2 - Saturday January 18 in Port Elgin - 1 to 0 win
On a cold and stormy afternoon with the only road traffic being the Atom AE Limo-bus, the Meteors traveled to Port Elgin for game 2 as the Storm looked to even the series.
Both teams picked up where they left off with a fast pace and gritty style of play. This time it was Bryson Eickmeyer's turn to play between the pipes and stop the Storm's attack.
With the 3rd period dwindling away and the game still tied 0 - 0 all the parents had overtime on their minds...but wait, we've been here before haven't we....I'll give everyone a minute to recall Sunday October 27...and...wait for it....Reegan Vessie takes a pass up the side from Sean Gibbings (Ben Hubbard in October's game) and this time maintained his 'Flash' nickname by beating two Saugeen defensemen including the goalie with a low corner wrist shot and only 27 seconds remaining (23 seconds in the October game...baby steps...) in the game to give the Meteors a 1 - 0 lead! Yes, 27 seconds is still a lot of time in Atom hockey but the Meteors managed to hold off the Storm and again put all the Mitchell fans at ease going back home with a 2 - 0 series lead.
Game 3 - Sunday January 19 in Mitchell - 2 to 1 win
After digging out, both teams would meet again in Mitchell to give the fans another great show. A capacity (mostly) crowd in the Mitchell arena was buzzing for the possibility of a series sweep, but knew the Saugeen was worthy opponent.
Goalie duties would fall to veteran Sebastian Voros, he was heard prior to the game as saying 'it's just another game'....ice in his veins!!
Parents were able to relax a little sooner with an unorthodox first period goal at the 7:06 mark. 'In-Ray-We-trust' Wolfe took a pass from line mate Carter McAsh and made no mistake beating the Storm goalie for a 1 - 0 lead.
In the second period 'In-Ray-We-Trust' would setup what would turn out to be the game winner with a sweet pass back to the point where Tyler Burtenshaw was eagerly waiting to rifle a shot on net. His low hard screamer beat the goalie over his right pad and the Meteors took a 2 - 0 lead!
In the 3rd Saugeen would put one past Voros on strong fore-checking play, but it didn't matter as the Meteors would ride out the Storm and take the series sweep 3 games to 0.
Great job team and good luck in the next round!