The Huntsville Atom Rep Otters had plenty to be thankful for
over the Thanksgiving weekend with two convincing wins over the Parry Sound
Shamrocks and Haliburton Highland Storm.
In Saturday afternoon action, the stellar young
squad faced off against the Shamrocks for the first time this season at the
Bobby Orr Community Center.
The Otters were put to the test early after taking a penalty only minutes into the opening period. Despite the aggressive penalty kill, the Huntsville team surrendered the first goal of the game when a Shamrock attacker lifted a high shot over the glove of goaltender Riley Knox. The Shamrocks would strike again less than 2 minutes later to extend their lead to two goals.
The remainder of the period saw both teams trade scoring chances, and after speedy Brayden Holman drew a hooking penalty with 18 seconds left in the first, the Otters capitalized with a Wes Farnsworth rifle that quickly found the back of the net.
The second period saw the Otters start to gain momentum after Cameron Adams executed a perfect outlet pass to line mate Ryley Digiacomo who streaked in all alone on a breakaway and almost squeaked one past the Parry Sound keeper.
Intent on keeping his team in the game, net minder Knox repeatedly stymied the Shamrock attack with a number of highlight reel saves during the second period. As a nod to their hardworking goaltender, the Otters lit the lamp twice within 12 seconds (Holman, Kyle Mattice) to take the lead midway through the second.
But the Shamrocks were determined and after a scramble in front of the net, managed to poke one past the diving Otters goalie to tie the game at three.
Offended by the repeated Shamrock attack, the Otters defense dug deep, pinning their opponents in the zone for the remainder of the second period. After countless dump ins by Cole Punchard and Gray Patey, and solid stick work at the blue line by fellow defensemen Ben Power and Tysen Robb, the Otters were able to mount an attack of their own, scoring on a quick snap shot from Cole Patey to go up 4-3.
Heading into the third, the Otters were unstoppable and after some hard work from centreman Ben Aben and relentless determination behind the net from Jake Hildebrandt and Logan Therrien, the Otters managed to add three more tallies to the scoreboard (C. Patey) for a hard fought 7-3 victory.
On Sunday afternoon, the Atom Otters faced off against the Haliburton Highland Storm for the teams second meeting of the season. The Storm were out to avenge the 3-1 decision dished out by the Otters a few weeks earlier.
But the Otters came out on fire in the first, netting two goals (C. Patey) and putting on a defensive clinic to completely shut down the Storm offense. Brilliant blue liners Tysen Robb and Zak Varieur intercepted numerous pucks at centre ice and continuously mugged the Storm puck carriers to preserve the Otters lead heading into the second frame.
The second period was all about goaltending for the Otters when veteran keeper Owen Buczek refused shot after shot, making difficult glove and toe saves look effortless. Buczek’s efforts to protect the Otters lead helped set the stage for an exciting third period.
After a crowded scramble in front of the Otters net, and a late whistle, the Storm managed to force one past Buczek to get their team on the board. But that would be the lone tally for the Storm as the Otters defense once again shut the door and refused any further access to their goaltender.
Mounting another late game surge, the Otters quieted the Storm by adding 4 more goals before the end of the game with markers from Varieur, C. Patey (2) and Farnsworth with helpers from Punchard, Robb and Hildebrandt.
Next up for the Atom Otters is a battle with the Midland Centennials on Sunday, October 20th on home ice at 2:40pm. Go Otters!