Mar 06, 2022 | dhickey | 300 views
2 win weekend for 'Canes as playoffs heat up
The U11 AAA Halton Hurricanes continued their push to qualify for OMHA Playoffs this weekend, with 2 more big games.
On Saturday, the team traveled to Brampton to take on the 45's in a matinee matchup at Earnscliffe Arena.
Owen John got the start for the 'Canes who were looking to bounce back from an OT loss last weekend.
The 45's hit the board first in this one, converting on a 2 on 1 with 4 minutes to go in the first. The Hurricanes would tie it as Nolan Lillicrap poked home a rebound of a Callan Cabral shot that hit the post, tying the game at 1's.
Cabral would find the back of the net early in the 2nd to give the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead, and Preston Sedlezky pounced on a loose puck and fired it home at the 11:02 mark to stretch the lead to 3-1.
Cal Reilly banged home a rebound from an Evan Meehan point shot with 7 mins to go in the 2nd and the 'Canes found themselves up 4-1 through 2.
Brampton did not quit in this one, and late 2nd period goalie change followed by 2 early goals in the 3rd narrowed the gap to 4-3.
The 'Canes were able to lock it down defensively form there, holding on for a 4-3 win.
Owen John was sharp in net and made several key saves in the 3rd period with the Hurricanes holding onto a 1 goal lead.
Hitting the scoresheet for the Hurricanes:
Nolan Lillicrap: 1G, 1A
Callan Cabral: 1G, 1A
Preston Sedlezky: 1G
Cal Reilly: 1G
Evan Meehan: 1A
On Sunday, the 'Canes hosted the 2-0 Burlington Eagles who were coming off an OT win themselves against Niagara.
After a scoreless first period, Burlington struck first in the 2nd and took a 1-0 lead into the 3rd. The Eagles stretched their lead to 2 at the 9:36 mark and the 'Canes found themselves down by 2.
Hayden Cochren got the home side going, as he rifled one in off the bar with 8:53 to go and 3 minutes later Preston Sedlezky converted a rebound from a Tyler Hickey shot on a 2 on 1, knotting the game at 2's.
The Eagles would strike again, this time with only 3:58 to go in the game and again the Hurricanes would need to work from behind.
With goalie Brayden Park on the bench for an extra attacker, the Hurricanes controlled the play in the Burlington and Cal Reilly came out of a scrum on the boards with the puck and rifled one through ths Eagles' goalie's legs, tying the game at 3's.
For the 2nd time in 3 games, the Hurricanes found themselves going into sudden death overtime. Each team traded chances early in the OT period, with both goalies making key stops in search of victory.
The 'Canes would send the home fans home happy at the halfway mark of the OT period as Tyler Hickey took advantage of a turnover, got past the Eagles defenseman and snapped a backhand home for the goal and the 4-3 win.
Brayden Park was again solid in net for the win.
Hitting the scoresheet for the Hurricanes:
Hayden Cochren: 1G
Preston Sedlezky: 1G 1A
Tyler Hickey: 1G 1A
Cal Reilly: 1G 1A
These 2 teams will meet again Friday, in Burlington in another big game as both clubs push to qualify for OMHA's.