Scouting Report: Another Difficult Week For the Major Bantam Cyclones
By Matt Pepper
The Major Bantam Chatham-Kent Cyclones ran into some difficult opponents last week and unfortunately they were unable to come away with any wins.
I was in attendance on both Wednesday and Sunday and here are my thoughts from both games.
On Wednesday, November 20, the Sun County Panthers along with CK Hockey product Declan Waddick came back into town and picked right back up from their October meeting in Memorial Arena. Waddick in particular was sensational in this game with another multi-point performance including some highlight reels plays with the puck. The Panthers were excellent on the forecheck all game and were able to hold off a late game surge from the Cyclones to secure the 4-2 victory.
Players of the game:
#24 Declan Waddick, F, Sun County Panthers – What more can be said about this player? Has excellent acceleration at this age group and can break a defensive gap while maintaining puck control. Excellent release on his shot and uses his teammates well on the ice. Definite player to watch this season and into his Major Junior draft year next season.
#4 Jackson Forte – Smith, F, Sun County Panthers – Big powerplay goal that was back breaking for the Cyclones. Good Hockey sense from the backend by jumping into the play and scoring a blue collar goal in the paint. Tough in his own end all game and is able to make a first pass out of the zone and easy out plays when in trouble.
#14 Connor Tucker, F, Chatham – Kent Cyclones – Good early jump from this player and his hard work resulted in a goal off the rebound. Looked good on the ice in this game and had a lot of energy battling on the ice.
#Colton Graham, F, Chatham – Kent Cyclones – Scored a big goal in this game to keep the score close. Good second effort off the rebound to tuck one away. Good grind all game and did not have any quit in this game.
See below for game highlights:
On Sunday, November 24, the Lambton Jr. Sting came into town with a dominant 6-1 win. Aaron Shanks came up huge with a multi-point performance and Joseph Malinski shut the door all game in net with a dominant performance.
Players of the game:
#97 Aaron Shanks, F, Lambton Jr. Sting – Dominant performance with the puck in this game, combining power moves with some good takeaway speed, moving through defenders. Works well in the paint and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. Strong in the dot all game, winning draws at both ends of the rink. Quick release on his shot that is heavy and accurate.
#41 Joseph Malinski, G, Lambton Jr. Sting – Plays big in net and covers a lot of ground both upstairs and downstairs. Quick post-to-post movement and can drop down into the butterfly position quickly. Covers the bottom of the net very well and is athletic enough to make desperation saves when he looks out of position. Showed a good quick glove in this game. Shut the door when the push was on from the Cyclones.
#61 Brennan Faulkner, F Lambton Jr. Sting – Scored some backbreaking goals in this game in displaying good Hockey sense and a quick release on his shot. Moves well between seams and had an active stick all game. Showed good gap breaking speed and puck control.
#91 Tanner Winegard, D, Lambton Jr. Sting – Big bodied defenseman with a good two – way game. Was involved at both ends of the rink all game. Good first pass out of the zone and has a good Hockey IQ to know when to jump into the play. Uses his size well, particularly on defense as he can also play the shut down role.
#91 Brayden Degelas, F, Chatham-Kent Cyclones – Good offensive instincts and finish on the 2-on-1 for the Cyclones only goal of the game. Excellent first step with good quick strides that allows him to push the play up the ice. Good release on his wrist shot and uses his teammates well on the ice.
See below for game highlights: