Sep 24, 2018 | Darcy Helson | 559 views
Aces Warming Up After Convincing Wins Over Ravens and Heat
Dunny’s Source for Sports Atom C Stratford
Aces travelled to Waterloo with a short bench on Saturday to face the Waterloo
Ravens in the first of back-to-back games for the Aces on the weekend.
The Ravens, who were looking to finalize their roster for the regular season, made a statement early, managing to slide one past netminder Peyton Boyles-Keating just 48 seconds into the game. A determined Krista McMahon scored for the Aces midway through the first, followed by sister Katelynn just over 30 seconds later. Shortly after, Boyles-Keating made two key saves against the Ravens, one of which was a breakaway, to preserve the Aces momentum heading into the second period. The Aces carried the play for the most of the second and third periods. Strong work from defender Rachel Barber saw her notch her first goal as an Ace on a hard shot from the point in the second period, after a nice feed from Katelynn. After some persistent forechecking, Abby Iacobellis was rewarded with a goal to round out the scoring in the third, with the Krista chipping in with an assist. Final score 4-1, Aces.
On Sunday, the Aces were at home to face the Huron Heat. The Heat were coming off a tie the previous day versus the Wilmot Wolverines, to whom the Aces had lost in their first preseason game. Coach Darcy and his girls were expecting a tough test, but after some inspiring play and with their confidence growing in each game, the team was up to the task. A steady first few minutes allayed any concerns the Aces may have had about being able to compete with the Heat. Abby Iacobellis put the Aces on board with just under four minutes to play in the first. In the second period, Atom rookies, Adele Helson and Maeve Moss, paired together for the second time in as many days, were able to lead several breakouts from the defensive zone. Iacobellis scored her second of the game, while Paige Taylor contributed her second assist, with three minutes remaining in the second. Another rookie, first year Ace Piper Broughton, made a stellar defensive play on a 2 on 1 late in the period, nullifying a terrific Heat scoring opportunity. A smothering defense, together with aggressive backchecking by forwards Katie Wheal and Brinlee Wall, prevented the Heat from getting their first shot on goal in the game until the last minute of the second period. The third period saw Aces continue their confident level of play, limiting the Heat’s chances on Boyles-Keating, and allowing her to earn her first shutout as a Stratford Ace! Final score 2-0, Aces. The Dunny’s Source for Sports Atom C Aces are off until Saturday, when they play the West Oxford Inferno in Thamesford, followed by a home and home with the B.A.D. Girls Blazers.
Article by: Cyril Moss