I just wanted to put out a big congrats to my bantam hockey team who put
forth a perfect effort in their weekend tournament in Welland.
In their first game on Friday, they tied Welland #1 4 - 4.
On Saturday, they defeated the Ayr Flames 9 - 4 and then later in the afternoon, they beat Simcoe Warriors 6 - 2 to move on to the semi finals.
The semi-final game was played against a much bigger Kitchener Stingrays team, but that didn't scare the kids. The MRN Sailors opened the scoring but Kitchener tied the game shortly after, then scored another quick one to go into the 2nd period up by a score of 2 - 1. Four minutes into the 2nd stanza, the Stingrays increased their lead to 3 - 1. But the MRN Sailors weren't done. They clawed their way back from a 3 to 1 deficit scoring late in the 2nd and 3rd period to tie the game. A chinzy penalty was called against the MRN Sailors with 35 seconds left in the 3rd that would force a penalty kill to end the 3rd and start the Overtime period. A great job by the penalty killers was rewarded by the speedy Captain who went in on a breakaway and scored the game winning shorthanded goal.
Off to the Finals where they played a familiar foe, the Welland Tigers #2 team. They fought hard with many chances to win only to be stymied by a hot goalie and finished on the wrong end of a 3 - 2 game. They were humble winners all throughout the tournament and we're gracious about the outcome of the final game.
A Class act bunch of kids who deserved more. Your coaches, parents, friends and other relatives a very proud of you all.
Great job boys!!!!!