Little Cyclones Hockey Season Opens With a Split in Lincoln

Say what you want about hockey and hockey players, but please call them tough when you are talking about them, because that is exactly what the Ames Little Cyclones had to be to salvage a split as they opened the Midwest High School Hockey League season in Lincoln Nebraska on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday night Ames was out matched in nearly every aspect of the game, from a physical, emotional and mental standpoint, and it showed as the Little Cyclones quickly found themselves in a 3-0 whole barley half way into the first period. Lincoln's physical play not only took a a toll mentally, as the Little Cyclones were on their heals and on the losing end of most of the loose puck races and corner battles, but it also took its toll physically as Ames lost three players to injury on Saturday night, and had several more banged up and questionable for Sunday's game before the night was over. 

When it was all said and done on Saturday night the Little Cyclones found themselves on the wrong end of a 6-4 score. Ames was lead by Senior Assistant Captain Jake Dedic on Saturday, who tallied two goals and an assist and Senior Co- Captain Mark Wishman, who also tallied two goals and an assist. Senior Co- Captain Spencer Oh and Assistant Captain Paul Fritzell added assists, and Senior Goaltender Orion Boylston stopped 31 of Lincoln's 37 shots.

On Sunday the Little Cyclones showed the resolve that they will need every night if their season is going to end in Ames in March at the State Tournament. Missing key players on both the offensive and defensive side, the Little Cyclones rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the third period with two goals by Wishman, and then with just under 5 minutes to go Dedic put home the game winner on the back door of the net. Dedic's goal was the third power play goal for the Little Cyclones as they finished 3-5 on the power play for the day. Junior Tomas Lence got the Little Cyclones scoring started 6 seconds into the second period with a wrist shot that beat Lincoln Goalie Tanner Deiro to the high glove side. Lence would add two assists in the third period to finish the day with three points. Boylston stopped 28 of 31 Lincoln shots.

The Little Cyclones (1-1) return to action on Friday night in Des Moines against their long time rival the Des Moines Capitals, before finally opening at home on Saturday night against the same Des Moines Capitals.The varsity start time on Saturday night is at 5pm at the Ames/ISU ice arena.

The home opener is the second annual Quinn's Quest Cancer benefit game in memory of Quinn Boylston, the late 7 year old brother of current Little Cyclone's Orion and Payton Boylston. The game will also be played in honor of current Little Cyclone Freshmen Andrew Smith who himself, is a 7 year cancer survivor. All proceeds from the gate revenue will be donated to a charity or cause that benefits childhood cancer research and childhood disease.