Ice Capitalize on CC Express mistakes to win 6-1

Match Report – McLean Ice vs CC Express at Springhill, October 17

What a way to rebound from the Columbus Day tournament! Even with limited practice due to bad weather during the week, Ice put on an impressive display of skills to overwhelm the opposition.

In perfect weather conditions the game got off to a fast start with Ice dominating possession. In the fourth minute Harry Siggins makes a break down the right wing, and finds clear space to the right of the penalty area. In what looked like an impossible angle he slams the ball into the back of the net. Ice has made a perfect start.

Not to be outdone CC Xpress go on the attack and in capitalizing on a momentary lapse of concentration in the Ice defense they equalize and Ice start to feel some real pressure.

However they bounce back in style and hard work by the mid-fielders including Sam McKay, Michael Knight and Robby Maffei, start to create new opportunities. Alex AbiNajm crosses to Robby Hopefl who slams the ball into the top right hand corner of the goal. The ball ricochets down from the bar and looks like it might have stayed outside the goal line, but thankfully it had crossed the line and the referee awards the goal. Twelve minutes into the game and its 2-1.

Ben Kodres O’Brien breaks from the mid-field and moves the ball skilfully to Robby Hopefl. This time with Alex AbiNajm well positioned in support Robby times his shot to perfection having drawn the goalie out and scores to make it 3-1 to Ice after just seventeen minutes of play. Ice continue to dominate the play with Andrew Awad getting a perfect shot on goal but it just slips over the bar. CC Xpress manage to make a number of sporadic attacks but are continually thwarted by Matthew Callahan and Matt McDonald on defense. Meanwhile Scott Lafoon is having a quiet time in goal.

Another attack from Ice, Andrew Awad passes to Dylan Goodale who goes on to score in the twenty-fifth minute making it 4-1 to Ice. After some confusion about how many players were actually on the field a brilliant manoeuvre from Eric Leimkuhler leads to another break and score by Dylan Goodale in the dying minutes of the first half, making the half-time score 5-1.

With such a comfortable margin Coaches Ken and Michael take the opportunity to experiment with the line up. CC Xpress start the second half strongly, testing the ‘new’ Ice defense. However the boys settle down quickly with Stephen Seliskar and Matthew Callahan clearly enjoying the opportunity to play in attacking positions and constantly posing a threat to CC Xpress. Wave after wave of attack is relentless and CC Xpress are forced into almost totally defensive play, but continue to put up valiant resistance, with many good saves from their goalie.

It is clear that all the boys are enjoying themselves and in this relaxed playing environment Michael Sniesek and Justin Strahan both work hard on the attack in the hope of increasing the score line.

Just as it looks like the second half could finish goalless, Philippe Nunnenkamp launches a one-man attack from the mid-field, takes the shot and hits the post. Albert Doumar is perfectly positioned to intercept the rebound, shoots but the CC Xpress goalie completes another excellent save. Then Andrew Awad completes a perfect pass out to Eric Leimkuhler on the right wing. He makes the break , Harry Siggins picks it up and again from a tight angle on the right wing, makes the final score 6-1.

Another great game, and a real confidence boost for our boys!!