Nov 30, 2013 | novice | 833 views
NorStar Bears Roar "B" Champions in Haliburton
The NorStar Novice Bears headed to Haliburton hoping to come out on top of a tough pool of teams participating in the annual Walt McKechnie Classic.
The Bears were matched up in their first game against their toughest opponent of the season The Centre Hastings Grizzlies. The Bears kept their Grizzly counterparts at bay for the whole of the 1st period. It was looking promising until the 2nd period when it turned into the Grizzly "Therrien" show. Bears did their best to pressure their opposition but could not match the quickness of the Centre Hastings team. Thompson and Guthrie managed to grab one a piece but Therrien from the Grizzlies managed a mitt full to produce an end score of 6-2. Pipe minder Brody Dann made some phenomenal stops as the Grizzlies did their best to put the puck past him. The Bears were deflated but knew that they had a big game ahead of them with Ingersoll Express.
The 2nd game against Ingersoll brought the Bears back for some redemption from their meeting at the Caledonia tournament. This game was chippy and chock full of penalties. However, the Bears were feisty and gritty and wanted nothing to do with losing against Ingersoll. They fought hard, kept control and with goals from Thompson, Guthrie, Budney and Rogers. Wingers Hammond, McDonald, Quesnelle, Crockford, and Fry skated hard and executed smart, slick passes. The Bears emerged with a sweet victory. Meanwhile, the Centre Hastings Grizzlies were skating all over their other opponents.
The 3rd game brought the Bears the St. Catharines Warriors. From observing this teams' play in other games, it looked like the Bears could dominate, which they really needed to do to assure them a spot for 2nd place in their pool. They needed to come out hard and fast and with some big period scoring. That they did, with multiples from Downer, Guthrie and Thompson and a single from Rogers and some stellar defence from Davis, Stephen, Budney and Greenfield the Bears came out huge with a 9-1 win. Unfortunately given the way the pools were structured, the Bears wouldn't be able to surmount Centre Hastings to go to the A Final. They would have to settle for 2nd place and play against Ennismore Eagles in the B Final.
Mid Sunday morning, pitted the Bears against the Eagles. Once again the Bears came out strong and excelled on every level. Each player contributed an immense amount and the NorStar Bears captured a much deserved "B" Final Championship win. SPECTACULAR WEEKEND OF HOCKEY from our NorStar Novice Bears!!!!!
Upcoming tournament - Silver Stick Midland Dec 6-8th. GO BEARS GO!!!!!