Division B - Championship Game WINNERS - Jan. 8th - Schomberg Tournament
Our
final game of the day was the Level “B” Championship game. For this game, we were pitted against the
Oro-Medonte Thunder (Red), who also advanced to the final with a record of one
and one. The Thunder came out swinging
and scored their first goal just 15 seconds into the game, taking the early
lead. Later, Chase R. won a critical
face off and skilfully careened the puck down to their end to nullify a scoring
opportunity.
Paige O, Lincoln W., Beckett R. and Colton B. were all strong offensively on a number of plays during the first few minutes of the game. Ben W. stole the puck from an advancing player and carried it down the ice. Mason W. had two great shots on net, particularly one with only two minutes left to go in the period that turned into a breakaway and a strong shot on goal. Wyatt G. was strong defensively and kept the Thunder from scoring. Corbin H., our goalie once again, was determined in net and made some great saves. With great hockey by both sides, the remainder of the period was scoreless, allowing the Thunder to take a 1-0 lead after the first ten minutes.
The second period was busy with action. We rebounded back when Mason W. scored a crucial goal just 40 seconds into the second period, which was assisted by Paige O. and Helmut A. This goal tied it up 1 – 1. Corbin H. worked his magic and made a spectacular save with 8:56 left to go in the 2nd. However, the tie did not last long as the Thunder rose to the challenge and scored their second goal of the night shortly after, to regain the early lead, at 2 – 1. The team, however, did not give up. The Thunder took control and charged down the ice but Ben W. chased them down, stole the puck and did a great deflection off the board to send it back down to the other end. Just minutes later, Mason W. wired in another goal, to once again, tie it up 2-2, assisted by Joshua D. Play continued with both sides hanging in there. Paige O. won another face off, firing it down the ice. Corbin H. made another great save at 4 minutes left to play; then Grayden Z. had a breakaway chance and carried it down the full length of the ice, managing to make a great shot on net. Then, with only two minutes left to play, the tie was broken as Mason W. potted in another goal, to end the second period 3 – 2.
Going into the third period and with the Level B Championship within reach, the third period was tense. Once again, in the first 50 seconds of play, Mason W. bagged another goal. Then two minutes later, the Thunder scored again to making it 4 - 3. Chase R., and Lincoln W. got another breakaway chance. Then finally, Mason W. registered his final goal of the game and the tournament with 4:37 left to play to increase the lead to 5 – 3. During the last few minutes of play, everyone upped his or her game. Helmut A. made a great steal, Lincoln W., Ben W. and Wyatt G., kept up a strong defence; Beckett R. continued to give it his all; and even though the Thunder made a last ditch attempt and scored with one minute left in the period, and even pulled their goalie in the final seconds; the damage was done and we retained the victory, finishing the game at 5 – 4 and captured the Division “B” Championship. Great hockey by a great team and coaching/bench staff! Congratulations Blakewood Construction. You did a phenomenal job and should be very proud of yourselves!