By Dorian Geiger

The midway point in the Prairie Junior Hockey League for the Cypress Cylcones has been bittersweet.
Presently sitting in fifth place in their division, the Cyclones are eight points behind Assiniboia Southern Rebels and need to improve their 7-19-3 record in 2010 if the team wants to taste the post-season. The Cyclones lost their final game of 2009 to Assiniboia 5-3 on Dec. 22.
On the offensive end of things Kody Orr, Clay Cooke and Brock Chisolm lead the Cyclones in scoring with 24, 15 and 14 points respectively. As far as defence goes, both Kevin Hassett and Jesse Unrath are splitting up the role of netminding quite soundly. Hassett sits at a 14-3 record with a 3.59 goals against average, while Unrath slightly trails with a 13-4 record and a 3.81 goals against average.
With 15 games remaining in the season and the PJHL’s Jan. 10 trade deadline quickly approaching, Cyclones head coach Blaine Stork has some tough decisions and New Years resolutions to make.
“We have two opening cards and we’re going to try to fill them,” said Stork of the Cyclones trading options.
“We’re looking for a defenceman and one forward. We got a couple irons in the fire but just waiting to hear if they’re interested or not. Some kids are going to school in the Hat and other guys we’ve been talking to are working in the area.”
The Cyclones missed the playoffs by a single point last season with a fifth place finish, a position strikingly similar to the present state of the club. This is a scenario Stork definitely doesn’t want to find himself in again.
“As we head down the stretch here with fifteen games left, we have 9 of them at home,” elaborated Stork on the importance of having the home ice advantage in Maple Creek.
“We’ve played more on the road so we’re hoping we can use those home games to move up in the standings. Everybody is healthy and we don’t have anybody hurt or injured so it’s a good way to start the New Year,” added Stork.
The tragic passing of ex-Cyclones player Jamie Zubot, whose no. 16 was recently retired, still lingers very heavily in the Cyclones dressing room and continues to be a motivating factor for many of the players.
“He’s still in everybody’s thoughts. You know – lots of guys came back because of what happened and wanted to play the season for him,” solemnly remarked Stork.
The Cyclones are back to work on away ice Jan. 8 against the third place Regina Capitals at 7:30. The Cyclones will play at home this Sunday, a 3 p.m. game against the Delisle Chiefs.