Oct 11, 2015 | Jim Sherratt | 326 views
2015-2016 Season Opener for GCCU Atom Rep
The Goderich Community Credit Union Atom Rep team began the
2015-2016 season this weekend with a 6-1 loss. Saturday’s game at the Maitland Recreation Centre
was against the Listowel Cyclones.
This year’s edition of the GCCU Atom Rep team is a mix of first and second year players. Second year players Justin, Austin, Wesley and Kellen played for the Hyundai Atom AE team last season. The only returning player this season from last season is Mitchell.
The majority of the first year players: Iain, Aiden, Jared, Caeleb, Graham and A.J. played for the McGee Motors Novice Rep team last season. Even has made the jump from novice local league last year and Gryffin has joined the Sailors after moving to Goderich this year.
Saturday’s season opener followed two exhibition game losses to South Huron Sabres and Wingham Ironmen. Despite the losses, the boys showed improvement through the pre-season as they worked to become familiar with each other and adjust to a new level of hockey.
Saturday’s game opened with a quick goal by the opposing Cyclones just 13 seconds into the game. Although down a goal, the Sailors had some chances in the first. Midway through the period the Atom GCCU Sailors got their first powerplay of the season with a body contact penalty called against Listowel. The boys were unable to score with the man advantage. As the period was winding down, the Cyclones got two goals to extend their lead to 3-0.
As time expired in the first period Wesley was called for a high sticking penalty and the Sailors had to begin the second period on the penalty kill. The boys successfully killed off the penalty and continued to press for the first goal of the game and their season. A tripping penalty against the Cyclones put the Sailors back on the powerplay with seven minutes to play in the period. They could not capitalise and continued to trail 3-0. The Cyclones took a second body contact penalty of the game late in the period. With the Listowel player in the penalty box serving his second penalty of the game, the Sailors had several good chances.
After making several key saves in the first two periods, Kellen turned the net over to John for the third period. Listowel increased their lead to 4-0 early in the period before Iain scored an unassisted goal cutting in from the left faceoff circle and scoring over the shoulder of the Listowel goalie. The Sailors responded with some strong play following the goal, but could not cut the deficit. With the Sailors pressing, the Cyclones added two more to increase their lead to 6-1. Already short handed with A.J. unable to continue, the Sailors had a scary moment when Iain crashed hard into the end boards while fighting for the puck. Iain was able skate off the ice and return to the game.
Although a loss, the GCCU Atom team showed signs of good things to come for the 2015-2016 season. The boys played well against a Listowel team with a majority of second year players. Listowel had also won all four of their pre-season games before the opener on Saturday. The Sailors play the Cyclones again in December towards the end of the regular season.
The Sailor did well in a tough test and are looking forward to next Sunday’s game against the Kincardine Kinucks. Sunday’s game is at home in the Memorial Arena and is the first of four games against the Kinucks this season. Good Luck Sailors!