Atomc Red finished off a successful season at the Waterloo
Wolves Fun Festival.
The teams’ first game came against the Rosedale Sabres. The game was a great team effort as all three lines contributed. Annett, Noble, and Horvath started things off quickly for Red scoring just over two minutes into the game. The team continued to roll the following shift which resulted in a goal by defensmen Hankins to give Red a 2-0 lead. The high scoring first period continued for Red as Annett, Noble, and Horvath would add three more goals before the period was over to give red a commanding 5-0 lead.
The teams strong play continued into the second period. Paiva-Bernard, Kytola, and Wagner jumped into the goal scoring action adding to the lead two minutes in. The following shift Sothern, Smith, and Perry followed suit and scored their first goal of the game to stretch the lead to 7-0. Red continued to pressure for the rest of the period and Annett, Noble, and Horvath were able to add one more goal before the end of the second.
With a large lead heading into the third period the teams focus shifted to securing the shut out for goaltender Storms. Hankins and Steffler; Reeve and McGoldrick; Endres and Kelly played rock solid on defense limiting the Sabres chances. Storms was able to make a few saves when called upon and the game ended with an 8-0 final.
The second game of the tournament came Friday afternoon against Welland Red Menace. Coming off of an 8-0 win the team started the game slowly. Welland was able to capitalize quickly scoring two minutes into the game. Red continued to look for some jump throughout the period. Welland continued to pressure and the defense pairings Hankins and Steffler; Reeve and McGoldrick; Endres and Kelly had a great period to keep the team in the game. Red was finally able to get a little offence going and Annett, Noble, and Horvath scored a buzzer beater with three seconds left to tie the game.
Red continued to struggle in the offensive end through the second period while Welland continued to skate hard. The defense along with goaltender Storms were once again up for the challenge and kept Red tied. Finally after a good shift by Paiva-Bernard, Kytola, and Wagner; Perry provided the team with a spark, scoring his first career goal with the help of linemates Sothern and Smith. Following the goal Red had a few more chances but were not able to capitalize before the end of the period.
Welland came out playing hard to start the third. With a slim one goal lead Red was able to hold them off of the board for a short time, but Welland was able to tie the game midway through the period. Red was not deterred though and the team started a push for the go ahead goal. All three lines began to pick up their play which resulted in a goal by Annett, Noble, and Horvath with three minutes remaining. That would prove to be all the team needed as Storms closed the door making the final score 3-2.
Game three for Red came Saturday morning against Oak Ridges Kings. It was an exciting back and forth game that saw plenty of lead changes. Red started the game off as they had hoped when Annett, Noble, and Horvath scored just over two minutes in. The Kings were quick to respond though, scoring the following shift. They were able to keep the momentum and scored again to take a 2-1 lead. Red skated hard and were able to generate a few scoring chances, but were not able to tie the game before the end of the period.
Building off of the momentum gained during the end of the first Sothern, Perry, and Smith took control during the second period. The line scored two goals before the midway point of the period to give Red a 3-2 lead. However the Kings would respond once again. They were able to score three goals in the final three minutes of the period to take a 5-3 lead.
Heading into the third with a two goal deficit the team knew they needed a strong offensive push. Instead they found themselves in penalty trouble and it looked like they would not be able to come back. But once again Red proved that the team will never quit. Defensman Hankins fired the team up scoring a short handed goal. Sothern and Paiva-Bernard followed up with a great penalty killing shift of their own and Sothern was able to score his third of the game to tie it up 5-5. After playing hard to tie the game the team continued to push for the go ahead goal. Paiva-Bernard, Kytola, and Wagner had a few quality chances but were not able to score. The game appeared like it would end in a tie, but with just under thirty seconds left the Kings were able to score to take a 6-5 lead. Red was able to pull the goalie and generate a few chances late, but this time it was not meant to be.
Although the game turned into an offensive shootout, the defense did play well. Hankins and Steffler, Reeve and McGoldrick; Endres and Kelly played particularly well in the third period, giving Red a chance to tie the game.
Goaltender Storms also played well, battling through a heavy collision. He played well enough to give Red a chance to win the game.
Red’s final game of the tournament came Saturday afternoon against Welland Thunder. Playing in the final game of the season every player came out with a great effort. They were rewarded for a strong start when Annett, Noble, and Horvath scored on an early power player to give Red a 1-0 lead. The lead was short lives though as the Thunder scored the following shift to tie things up. The remainder of the period would see back and forth action with neither team able to capitalize.
Red started the second period off with offensive pressure once again. Annett, Noble, and Horvath scored their second of the game midway through the period to regain the lead. The following shift Sothern, Smith, and Perry would add another giving Red a 3-1 lead. Paiva-Bernard, Kytola, and Wagner followed with a good shift of their own which set up Annett, Noble, and Horvath who scored again to give Red a three goal lead. The Thunder were able to score a goal of their own before then end of the period cutting the lead to two.
Heading into the third with a two goal lead, the defense took over. Hankins and Steffler; Endres and McGoldrick; Reeve and Kelly were able to shut the Thunder down. They were able to limit their quality scoring chances, and goaltender Storms made a few quality saves when needed to make the final 4-2.
Congrats to all of the players for a great tournament and an even better season. It was awesome to watch all of the players improve and have lots of fun!