After receiving a bye for the opening round, the Hoegy's Farm Supply PeeWee Rep team swept
though the preliminary round, quarter-finals and semi-finals.
Now the Mitchell Meteors found themselves nose-to-nose with
the Schomberg Redwings who had also swept though their playoffs free of any
losses.
This meant that we would definitely be in for a great final
OMHA Championship series.
Game#1
In typical Mitchell fashion, we would lose the coin toss & have to head northeast to Schomberg for game #1 after 9 days off. The NHL size ice surface would prove to be a challenge for our boys as the Redwings used the extra space to their advantage & put pressure on the Meteors early in the game. But Eidty would bang home a loose puck off of Fenwick's initial shot to go up by one 3 minutes in. However, Schomberg responded quickly on their powerplay to tie things up. That was short lived as Eidt pounded home another loose puck with MacArthur and Murray getting the assists this time around. Less than a minute into the 2nd, the Redwings tied things up and then with less than a minute to go in the same period, they would take the lead going into the flood 3-2. "Q" made some spectacular saves in the third period to keep his team in the game - and his boys rewarded him with the tying goal as Murray sniped a perfect one-timer from Eidt and MacArthur to tie things up. This brought new life to Mitchell and exactly one minute later it was MacLean's turn as he buried one unassisted midway through the third. Action continued, but the Meteors hung on to steal game one away from the locals and head home in the wintery weather up by 2 points.
Game #2
Back at home on familiar ice the boys came out of the gate much better, and just over 5 minutes in MacLean cleaned up a loose puck with assists going to Schoonderwoerd & Gettler for a quick lead that they would take into the 2nd period. In the second period Mitchell would follow up a penalty kill with a goal as MacArthur sent the puck up to Murray, who took it in and ripped one top shelf to double the lead. Schomberg would get themselves on the board later in the period but less than a minute after that the Meteors would respond as Gettler set up Murray for his 2nd goal of the night. Schoonderwoerd sealed the victory as he took a pass from MacLean & Weir and slid it home for a 4-1 lead. Mitchell's defense was rock solid tonight as they played one of their best games of the season - plus the forwards hustled both ways to get the puck out and down while backchecking effectively to help fight off the speedy Redwing offense. Duncan stood tall and made some more stellar saves in their 15th win in a row.
Game #3
Heading back to Schomberg for what could be the clinching game was a nervous event. But we all know that that final game in the other team's rink can be quite a feat in itself - let alone against another team who had been very successful in their own playoff run before meeting up with our Meteors. Mitchell's boys came out flat and the Redwings were hungry. Schomberg had some great chances but Duncan and his posts came out unscathed after 15 minutes of play. Mitchell on the other hand was struggling to get pucks to the net today, but were still in the game. The second period began the way nightmares do, as the Redwings won the faceoff and their speedy winger skated all the way in control of the puck and deked his way to the back of the net for a one goal lead only 7 seconds in. However, there was plenty of time remaining, and being down by one didn't seem to bother our boys. They dug in and while they didn't have anything to show for, they did generate some quality chances but headed to the flood still down by one goal. In the third there were moments where either team could have scored. Schomberg looked to keep their hopes alive and Mitchell trying to find a way to seal the series on the road. But it wasn't until there were just over 5 minutes left in the game when Murray took a clearing pass from Fenwick up the wing and ripped it from the top of the circle to tie things up at one. The rest of the period would see Duncan standing on his head trying to keep them in it just so they could go to overtime. This action continued into the OT period, but while both teams had the opportunity to finish the game (and more posts made some key saves too), it was Schomberg who found the back of the net after a scrum in front of our net. Tough loss for sure, but Mitchell's coaches pointed out the obvious that they would still go home up 4 points to 2 points - knowing that a ton of spectators would be ready for game #4 on Sunday night. They simply had to win it at home for those who didn't make it today...
Game #4
What can I say? After the Mitchell Meteor Atoms had won their OMHA Finals the night before, the arena was buzzing with support and asking if the Peewees could do it tonight too (plus avoid game #5 back on the big ice in Schomberg next weekend). Would our boys come to play & be able to control the Redwings who would have new life after winning a nail-biter the day before?
Oh yes - they came to play!
Both teams did.
It was Schomberg who would strike first though, as Mitchell had a guy sitting in the penalty box for less than 10 seconds midway thought the opening frame. But once again, being a goal down would not bother our boys or their coaches. Out they went and Murray would score a huge short handed goal as his first of the night went in to tie things up and give even more life into their legs. All three forward lines were buzzing as they played as good as they had ever played all year. They worked their butts off, blocked wicked shots from the point and chased down any chances that Schomberg could generate. From Duncan thru the wickedly tough defense, plus the forwards - things were clicking. Rauser would convert a beautiful pass on the powerplay to grab the lead and the Meteors never looked back. Murray nabbed his 2nd of the night once again and an empty netter curled its way in off of a clearing attempt late in the third to seal the victory!
Red Hats for everyone's head and a gold medal around their neck - what a rush. The firetruck came out and the boys took a frigid ride around town celebrating a great night to top off a fantastic playoff run that would only see one loss on the way to the top.
After that there were pictures with the cup & some haircuts performed (varying lengths and styles).
Thanks to Schomberg for a great series!
Congratulations to our Mitchell Meteor PeeWee Rep CC OMHA 2013/14 Champions!!!
