The Minor Atoms are at it again; playing hard and stealing games, with some outstanding work between the pipes.

A pumped up team headed to Georgetown on a snowy Sunday afternoon, families in tow, hoping to put on a show. The Avs looked so hot in the warm-up, the home team left the ice and went home before the game even started. (Okay, so the game had to be cancelled when no referees showed up, but Ancaster was looking good!)

The enthusiasm would have to wait, and did not wane as the Avs played host to Milton two nights later. The visitors threatened early but Logan Barrett set the tone, coming up with a big save on the wrap-around play. A rush by Robby Pellizzari who sent a crisp pass to Todd Barta almost put the Avs on the scoreboard, but Barta’s shot was pushed aside by Milton’s goaltender. The only goal of the period came with Ancaster on the power play. After some trouble clearing their zone, the puck landed on the stick of Kyle Hall who relayed a quick pass up to Nick McMullen. The speedy forward slammed the rubber into the net to put his team ahead 1-0.

The second period was an exciting one with lots of end-to-end action. Erik Fletcher rushed in alone and just missed the net, while Trevor Viersen smartly broke up an odd man rush from Milton. Aggressive back-checking by Mark Robertson helped clear the puck and put some sustained pressure on the opponents with Barta, Travis Legein and Sam Walton cycling the puck for numerous scoring chances. The best chance for Milton came with a breakaway on the man-advantage but Barrett would close the door for good.

After killing off a penalty to start the period, the Avs put the game out of reach scoring four unanswered goals. Dayten Stockford, on defense takes away a three-on-one chance and clears the puck to start the offensive thrashing. Matt Cummins got the puck on the stick of Barta whose shot forced the goalie to make a glove save. With a crowd in front of the Milton goal, John Bulmer managed to find an opening to put away a loose puck, making it 2-0. After that, the blue liners stole the game, combining for three more goals. Trevor Viersen came close, after picking off a pass at center ice, weaving through the opposing defense and just missing on the glove side. Branden Lindley made some nice moves, going end to end before faking the shot to bring the goalie out and tucking it behind the pads. Barta and Stockford got the assists on the play. Lindley would pot his second of the game, assisted by McMullen and Hall, flipping a shot over a pile of players and the downed net minder. The next goal went to Colin Marley, set up by Legein and Cummins. Marley picked apart Milton’s defense to get in alone on the goalie, before forcing him to go down early and hit the back of the net. Final score Ancaster 5, Milton 0.

Ancaster headed on the road again to face The Oakville Rangers who were currently enjoying a ten game winning streak, having not lost since playing the Avs back in October. Ancaster played a tight-checking physical contest, but it was goaltender Matt Wieske who stole the game.

The Avs jump-started the game with some tough checking by Barta and Legein, while Legein put the puck through the crease, narrowly missing the Oakville net. The Rangers came in fast but Wieske came up with a big save. McMullen tried to get a marker, streaking in on goal with a hard shot just caught by the goalie. A fast paced but scoreless first frame was followed by an equally spirited second. Ancaster put the pressure on the home team but both came away empty again. Midway through the third it looked like Oakville would take the lead when their player took a quick pass out front and sent a backhanded one-timer towards an empty corner of the net. Matt Wieske got a glove up for the save that left the shooter shaking his head and brought the fans to their feet.

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Another rousing moment came when D.J. Nedelko broke through, made some nifty moves on the goalie and sent it just wide of the net. Just when it seemed that this one would end in a draw, Todd Barta netted the winner with two seconds left on the clock. A loose puck squirted out from the corner and Barta poked it across the line, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Final score: Ancaster 1, Oakville 0.