Cyclones-A Split Season Openers…

Posted on October 23, 2008 at 4:01 pm by Clark Caughey

Sunday 19th October 2008 seen the Cyclones A take part in the NIIHA senior league for the first time. As the players arrived one at a time, telling each other about the hangovers they were all suffering, the nerves where well hidden.

The first opponents where the re-formed Bangor Apaches, who, after taking part in the inaugural senior league missed the following 2 seasons. In nets for the Cyclones was Kenny “panic at the” Bickerstaff, with the cyclones other net minder “English” Steve Gilmartin, playing as a forward. Defence was lead by former Apache and team captain Gary Jackson.

From the outset the new cyclones team dominated in all areas with goals coming from all areas of the rink, alternate captain Clark Caughey scoring the teams first hat trick and also picking up an assist on Gilmartin’s goal. The Cyclones would eventually win with a 10-0 mercy rule victory.

The 2nd game of the day would prove a much tougher test for the Cyclones as they faced the Ballymoney Badgers, who were in their 2nd season of senior league action. Having lost to the Badgers by 2 goals in the pre season the Cyclones knew they would have to step up. “English” Steve got the nod in nets. The Badgers started of the stronger team scoring 2 quick goals to go 2-0 up, but the team mentality and fighting spirit of the cyclones started to show as the defence tightened up and the offence started clicking, for the 10 minutes preceding half time the Badgers barely got a touch of the puck and the Cyclones went in all square 2-2.

The Cyclones started the 2nd as they’d ended the first, in complete control, until a controversial penalty saw Colm “Colly” McBrien take 2 minutes for holding. The Cyclones held on to the last couple of seconds of the penalty kill, when a beautifully worked move unhinged the defence and the puck was slotted past a stranded goalie. Cyclones stuck fast and tried in vain to get the equalizer, until Captain Jackson forgot what team he was playing for and deflected a shot past his own goalie. At 5-2 the Cyclones heads began to drop, and the physical play of the Badgers increased. This game plan worked perfectly as the Cyclones spent more time defending themselves and their team mates and less time playing hockey. With Gavin “Gorilla” Moore and Adam “the Kid” Shanley both picking up a match penalty for roughing.

The next round of games sees the Cyclones A take on the young pretenders East Coast Blaze 2nd strength team, who will be full of confidence after beating last seasons league champions the Belfast Bruins. Game face off 1300 at Bangor Kidz Club Sunday 26th October.

Match report by Jacko