The Hoegy Farm Supply Peewee AEs advanced from Round Robin play as the 1st seed in their bracket setting up the Semi Final game versus Oakville MD early Sunday morning.
Goaltending for both teams proved to be solid and the penalty kill units made no mistake as both sides killed off a couple penalties each in the first period.
Brett DeJong of Mitchell would score first early in the second on a feed from Kurtis Eisler. The rest of the second period saw the home squad playing short handed more than even strength but were able to keep the zero on the scoreboard for Oakville with the work of Aaron McNeil between the pipes.
Oakville tied up the game less than two minutes into the final period just after Mitchell had killed off another penalty. Midway through the period Quaid Austin made it 2-1 with a power play goal with help from Curtis Lockhart and Jamie Adair. Six minutes later Lockhart added further insurance with Austin and Tyler Smith drawing assists. Oakville pulled their goalie in the final minute of play and Nic Baker pounced on a turnover in front of the open net to put the game away 4-1 setting the stage for the tournament Final game scheduled later in the afternoon versus Ilderton.
McNeil received the player of the game nomination.
Ilderton had been waiting since Saturday night to see who their opponent would be in the final game.
The tourney final versus Ilderton was a fitting match up as both teams had skated to a 4-4 deadlock less than 48 hours earlier. The teams continued the even play until Ilderton finally opened the scoring on a power play with less than two minutes to go in the first period.
In the second Mitchell would pull even once again on a goal mouth scramble when Eisler banged home a loose puck. Steven Bird and Jack O’Rourke drew the assists. Ilderton answered right back with a goal one minute later to regain the one goal advantage. Tanner Knechtel stayed strong in net for the home squad helping to keep the game close as Mitchell’s penalty killing teams were put to the test. Mitchell took seven minor penalties to Oakville’s two in the second and third periods making it difficult for Mitchell to generate any offensive threat to tie it back up. The final minute of the game saw Mitchell killing off two penalties and being forced to pull their net minder for the ‘extra’ man but Ilderton was able to capitalize with 00:01 left on the clock to make the score 3-1. Eisler received the player of the game nomination.
The host team would take home the ‘Finalist’ banner ending 5 games of play over 3 days. The boys did not leave anything on the bench and played hard each and every minute of all 5 games. They played as a TEAM in front of stellar goaltending and came up just a bit short. They made their parents, family, friends and coaches proud of their efforts. A great weekend of hockey.
Job Well Done!