Bantam Reps sweep Bancroft for OMHA Title, News (Mitchell Minor Hockey)

  For the past two weekends Mitchell and Bancroft have been trading hospitality, while hosting the OMHA finals.

  On Saturday March 12 Mitchell Meteors Bantam Rep team made the trip to Bancroft to start the OMHA final.  Both teams were coming into the series with impressive semi final wins.  In front of a packed house, Mitchell showed no ill effects from the four and a half hour car ride.  The Bancroft Jets were taken by surprise with the size and speed of the Meteors.  Mitchell dominated game one winning 5-2.  The following day,  game two was a different story, Bancroft regrouped and started using their skating and skill to pressure the Meteors.  The game had to be decided in overtime.  Mitchell managed to pull off a 5-4 win overtime, setting the stage for a possible sweep and win at home.   During the week I was able to catch up with the coaching staff at the training facility,  they seemed very up beat about being in the driver seat. Coach Schoonderwoerd stated " we are right where we want to be, but it doesn't change what we expect, Bancroft got better and we are not taking them lightly, those kids can play".  On March 19 the Mitchell families welcomed the Jets from Bancroft with the utmost respect and hospitality that was shown to us the weekend prior.  As the teams prepared to do battle on the ice, the stands were filling up, leaving only standing room available. Before the players took to the ice, coach Maclean gave a pep talk stating " Remember all the laps, all the drills, all the bus trips, all the hard work over the last 7 months, this will be where it all comes together". In the hallway coach Schoonderwoerd was pacing back and forth going over the line ups, Mitchell would be missing a key player to suspension.  As the teams took the ice, electricity filled the air.  This crowd was here to see some good old small town hockey.  The Meteors started the game in full attack mode,  they were forcing the Jets to mishandle the puck, leading to an early goal.  The pace was fast and it seemed to favor the Bancroft Jets, they managed to tie the game.  The Mitchell boys were not holding back, with the game tied at ones,  Mitchell stepped the pace up yet again, once again wearing out the opposition.  With 2 minutes remaining in the second period Mitchell had built a 3-1 lead.  As the period came to a close they fell asleep and in a matter of 30 seconds Bancroft scored 2 goals to tie it up. The teams went to the dressing rooms tied 3-3.  For the first time all game the Bancroft fans were louder than the Mitchell fans,  before entering the dressing room coach Schoonderwoerd stated  "the one thing we didn't want to do, was give them hope and that's exactly what we did".  In the room the mood was surprisingly upbeat, no heads were hanging down, everyone was talking about the game smiling and waiting for the coaches to talk.  Coach Weir stood up and addressed the team saying " boys you got here with hard work, you can finish this with hard work, just take care of the little things and play your game".  As the coaches left the room coach Schoonderwoerd added "there is nothing left to say, you know what needs to be done, its up to you, lets go".  They jumped out of the dressing room and on to the ice.  The stands were once again buzzing with excitement,  the Jets trying to hold on to dear life and Meteors trying to end the season.   The third period was fast paced and filled with chances at both ends, the Bancroft break out was fast and proving to be a handful, but the Mitchell net minder stood tall and solid. Back and forth the action went like two heavy weight fighters.  Finally with hard work and determination the Meteors got a goal part way through the period.  Now came the true test, can they hold on!  As the crowd stood on its feet and counted down the seconds...3...2...1.  The bubble of excitement burst in a huge cheer. They did it, game over, season over,  and holding the trophy at the end of it all.  As the medal and trophy presentation was wrapping up, the cheering did not stop for both teams, for the most part it was a celebration for both teams having great seasons and for the fans being treated to good, old fashion hockey.
   In the dressing room coach Schoonderwoerd addressed the players for the last time," Its amazing how a group of young men can bring a community together, and take them for one of the most exciting rides that we could for," as his voice cracked and lip quivered " Its not just about the red hat, its about life lessons, I speak for all the parents, thank you for sharing with us your hard work, dedication, sportsmanship and courage.  tonight I am proud to be a hockey dad".  
    The Bantam Reps would like to thank everyone that took part in their successful season,  a lot happens behind the scenes and goes unnoticed but I do believe the boys thanked everyone last night.  The coaching staff would like to thank the families of all the players for their time and commitment to the team.
  I will sign off with a great saying from Coach Maclean " I can't believe we JUAN".