The Atom Rep Otters played two games over the weekend and skated
away with both a win and a loss after an exciting weekend of on-ice action.
First up for the Otters was a tilt with the neighbouring
South Muskoka Bears on Saturday afternoon.
In the rivals’ first match-up since the preseason, it was evident early
on that both teams were hungry for a win.
The Otters pressured the Bears hard throughout the first period, pinning their opponents in the zone and testing the Bears net minder early. Mid-way through the opening frame, determined play from wingers Cam Adams and Ryley Digiacomo paid off for center Ben Aben when he lifted a shot over the goalie’s glove to get the Otters on the board.
The Otters continued to dominate play in the second period with textbook passing that led to 4 more tallies from Kyle Mattice, Cole Patey and two more from Ben Aben to complete his first hattie of the season.
To start the third, defenseman Tysen Robb proved that he could shine at both ends of the ice when he zipped up the boards on a dazzling rush and fired one into the back of the net to put the Otters up by a score of 6-1.
Kudos to the Bears goalie who stood tall in net and bravely faced down a bombardment of shots from the Otters snipers.
A great team effort earned the Otters a solid 7-1 victory.
On Sunday afternoon, the Otters faced one of their toughest competitors – the Collingwood Blackhawks on home ice.
Right from the moment the puck dropped, the end-to-end action was fast and furious.
The Hawks lit up the scoreboard early in the opening frame, but the Otters answered back less than a minute later to knot the game at 1-1. The score remained tied until the start of the second when the high flying Hawks soared into the Otters end and potted two goals to go up 3-1.
Down but not out, the Otters clawed their way back and added one of their own before the Hawks capitalized on an odd-man rush to double the Otters again midway through the second period.
Hard working defenseman Cole “Punchie” Punchard was steadfast on the blue line, shutting down several breakout attempts by the Hawks late in the period.
Before the end of the second, the Otter forwards ramped up their play and netted the teams third goal of the game to come within one.
But with an Otter in the penalty box to start the third, the Hawks were able to capitalize on the man-advantage and pulled ahead of the Huntsville team yet again. This time, the Otters weren’t able to bounce back, and the Hawks two goal lead put the game out of reach for the Otters.
Final decision 5-3.