A hard fought 40 minutes saw the Cyclones & Stars tied at 7-7 and after a further 5 minute overtime period could not separate the two teams, the game went to sudden death penalty shots.

Shooting first Mark Synnott attempted to put the Cyclones in the driving seat however his shot was saved by Szabó Kornél in the Armagh goal. It was to be David Vakler of the Armagh Stars who would have the final say in this semi final as he skated one-on-one with Steve Gilmartin placing a seemingly miscontrolled deke under the Cyclones netminders arm to win the shootout 1-0.

In less than ideal circumstances the Northern Cyclones Under 12 & Under 14 teams finished the season with an unbeaten record bringing home their respective league titles without having to play a game.

The club had been gearing up for a big weekend of 4 games (2 Under 12 / 2 Under 14), however we found out on Friday evening that the Armagh Stars were not fulfilling their remaining fixtures and the resulting forfeits were enough to ensure the Cyclones retained both league titles before the puck had even dropped.

Somewhat down heartened the young Cyclones players turned up at the rink to play their remaining fixture against East Coast Blaze which as it turned out was just a formality. Both teams having not played many games this season were eager to get things started, and the coaches were in agreement to play a few disappointed Under 14 players who turned up only to find out their games were canceled. Matthew Richey & Darren Gordon suited up for the game and both guys played outstandingly, chipping in on offense and more importantly keeping things tight in our own end of the rink.

The same way as every game has been this season the Cyclones got off to a commanding start. Nathan Dorrian and Stephen Eccles were reliable as usual, combining for half a dozen points each. Matthew Groves had been waiting all season to unleash the Michael Jackson tribute celebration and he got his chance when he netted in the 1st period. Matthew McRoberts and Ben Murdoch’s hard work and determination often goes uncredited, however this season both are regular features on the score sheet and they managed to pad their own personal statistics.

On the back of 3 consecutive shutouts Christopher Boyd, ensured the league title was won without conceding a goal. A statistic that is a tribute to Christopher’s own performances and the teams effort as a whole.

Unfortunately the game ended prematurely with a few minutes remaining as the young East Coast Blaze netminder was injured whilst making an outstanding save and could not continue. What we were hoping to be a fun filled day of hockey and celebrations wasn’t to be, however the boys did get to spray some Champaigne around for the 4th year running and we are all now looking ahead to the playoffs.

NORTHERN CYCLONES NIIHA UNDER12 & UNDER 14 LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 2009/10

For the U12s first up is East Coast Blaze. In the same fixture earlier in the season the Cyclones skated off 13-0 winners and everyone will be looking for a similar performance, as it was the Blaze who took home last seasons U12 Playoff Championship, taking andvantage of a below strength Cyclones team in the final.

The 12’s also take on the Armagh Stars and hopefully with a win earlier in the day this game will just be a formality. However the Cyclones will be expecting a win as the team will be looking to send a message to everyone at BIPHA with a 100% record.

Clinching the league title this weekend would secure the Cyclones place at the nationals this summer where they will look to prove themselves against the best teams in the UK, so maintaining their winning ways and finishing the season strong is a must.

This Weekends Fixtures
U14 09:00 Stars v Cyclones
U14 10:40 Cyclones v Stars
U12 13:10 Blaze v Cyclones
U12 14:00 Cyclones v Stars

We are looking for a set of net that we can either borrow or purchase so if you can help please contact Tony Sinton.

In it’s place the Cyclones played ECL in a friendly game coming out 7-5 winners at the final buzzer.

The first game of the day saw the Cyclones face off against the Stars in a game that was greeted with a lot of excitement. Having drawn in the preseason, both sides were determined to prove themselves as the better team.

Armagh drew first blood 75 seconds into the game as a pass by Glover ricocheted of the fore checking Stars player and into the Cyclones goal.

Despite dominating much of the position in the first period the Cyclones struggled to find an equalising goal. Some fluid passing and smart movement allowed the Cyclones a number of goal scoring chances however they were unable to see the puck over the goal line.

The Cyclones finally got onto the scoreboard with 1.10 left in the first. After a period of dominant pressure the Cyclones hard work finally paid off as Clark Caughey picked up a rebound from Richard Grace’s shot and blasted it through Szabe’s five-hole.

As the second period started, the Cyclones took the lead of the game for the first time. With Jaroslav Kerri serving a penalty for interference Mark Synnott put the Cyclones 2-1 up as he put home a pass from Dave Nicolai on the powerplay.

The Cyclones lead was to be short lived however as two strikes, 20 seconds apart, from Martin Olas and Tiago Lima respectively put Armagh in the driving seat once again.

At the mid point of the second drama exhumed as Stephen Mallon suckered Dave Nicolai. Chaos followed as both sides scuffled but after dishing out penalties referee Sandy Turner gave the Cyclones another powerplay opportunity. This chance was not wasted as Mark Synnott found Clark Caughey in the slot for his second of the day to tie the game at 3-3.

A minute later Mark Synnott put the Cyclones in the lead once again as he buried the puck over the netminders glove on a breakaway before adding his 4th point of the day… an assist on Richard Gault’s first and the Cyclones 5th.

Final Score: Armagh Stars 3-5 Northern Cyclones

After an hour break the Cyclones returned to the rink for their second game of the day, this time against old rivals East Coast Blaze.

As in the prior game the Cyclones found themselves chasing the game early as ECB took the lead 35 seconds in as Alec Rubbins lifted the puck over Brian Morrow’s blocker.

Falling behind early did not shake the Cyclones game plan however as 3 minutes later the Cyclones opened their account with a beautiful tic-tac-toe play involving Richard Gault and Mark Synnott that was finished at the back post by Clark Caughey as he tipped the puck through Mark Barritt’s five hole.

The Cyclones then took at lead at 5.10 as Dave Nicolai converted from Tony Sinton’s set-up play.

The flood gates where soon to open as Clark Caughey notched a further 2 goals, the first a wrap around and the second coming on the breakaway, for his hat-trick with only 11 minutes gone.

Stuart Fleck added a goal for the Blaze at 12.06 but this was soon canceled out as Tony Sinton’s unassisted effort ended the period at 5-2 to the Cyclones.

The second period followed a similar vein to the first as the Cyclones continued relentless pressure with goals from Tony Sinton, Richard Gault, Clark Caughey and Jonny Knox adding to the Cyclones comfortable lead.

Eamonn Denny added a consolation goal for the Blaze in the second however it was not enough to claw back a convincing performance from the Cyclones who finished the game as 9-3 winners.

Final Score: Northern Cyclones 9-3 East Coast Blaze

Under12: Northern Cyclones 14 – Armagh Stars/Bangor Chiefs 0

Captain Stephen Eccles tallied 6 goals and 3 assists, and 5 goals from Nathan Dorrian stamped their mark on the Under 12 age group again as the two finished one and two in the league scoring last season. Matthew Groves added 2 goals and an assist, Karl Ewen netted his first ever competitive goals and Matthew McRoberts and Ben Murdoch also chipped in with 2 assists each.

Christopher Boyd recorded his first shutout of the season turning away the handful of scoring chances that came his way.

Under14: Northern Cyclones 14 – East Coast Blaze 2

Dispite East Coast Blaze netting twice in the first period through Constantine and Ryan White the Cyclones shrugged off their opposition and took maximum points from this weekend.

4 goals from Nathan Dorrian and hat tricks from Stephen Eccles (3+4) and Martyn Bothwell (3+4) knocked the stuffing from East Coast Blaze as the Cyclones Under14 players outshot and outplayed their opponents. Darren Gordon netted his first competitive goal and Ben Murdoch and Matthew Mc Roberts grabbed their first points playing up in the Under14 age group each notching one goal.