The Major Atoms have wanted to take their game to the next level of play and if Sunday’s game against top place Cambridge is any indication they have found that level.
The Major Atoms have had problems in the past year with the big three (Cambridge, London and Elgin Middlesex) so four weeks ago the coaching staff took a new approach to their practices in hoping it would allow the players the opportunity to take their game to the next level. In the past two weeks both London and Elgin Middlesex defeated the Major Atoms, so once again the coaching staff slightly tweaked their practices for the past week to simulate game-like situations within in the drills they were doing. The players responded with two of their best practices of the year.
With one player sitting out a one game suspension penalty and the loss of another player early in the game due to an injury, the Lakers found themselves with a short bench. At the end of the 1st period Cambridge was ahead 2-0, but the Lakers were out playing Cambridge and it was only a matter of time before the Lakers found the net. The Lakers regrouped and came out flying in the 2nd period scoring on a bad angle rebound shot. Midway through the 2nd the Lakers tied the game on another rebound goal. Minutes later, the Lakers went ahead on a great 3 way passing play. Once again Cambridge came back and tied the game in the 3rd period, but the Lakers kept taking the play to Cambridge and with a great passing play the Lakers went ahead to stay. With the Lakers short-handed in the final 2 minutes of the game, Cambridge pulled their goalie making it a 6 on 4 situation. The Lakers played some great positional hockey with a key save from the Lakers goalie and, as the penalty ran out, the Lakers scored into the empty net to seal the win 5-3.
The Major Atoms are on the road for next 4 games and then are back home on Friday, Dec. 7 @ 7:30 pm in Hensall vs Kitchener. Come out and support them, they are a very exciting hockey team to watch as they develop into a great team.