The Scotiabank Bantam LL team started their March Break with
a tournament at the Meridian Arena in the heart of wine country, Niagara on the
Lake. It was a long way to travel to
play two teams from their own league, but a great time was had by all.
GAME 1 – Saturday, March 14th 1:20 pm vs. Listowel Cyclones
After a long drive the Bantam boys took to the ice against a bunch of familiar faces from Listowel. They were a little too mellow during that first period as they shook off the cobwebs and, as a result, Listowel took an early lead. Despite a last ditch effort scramble in front of Listowel’s net in the last 10 seconds the period ended 1 to 0 for Listowel. The second period started out in much the same manner but then the Mitchell boys finally got their stuff together and goal number one was scored, with 3 minutes and 10 seconds left, by Zeke KOERT. Jake MONDEN and Jackson MACARTHUR assisted. The momentum continued and less than a minute later MACARTHUR received the puck from Kyle WETTLAUFER, broke away from the pack, weaved his way all the way up to the net and beautifully placed the puck in the bottom right corner of the net. SCORE!!!! Before the period was over, Eric DEARING took his turn adding to the scoreboard by popping the puck over the goalie and into the net. The assist went to Hayden ADAIR. The period ended 3 to 1 us. Mitchell camped out in Listowel’s end of the rink for much of the third period. Nic BAKER made lots of hard shots on net from the point still determined to find that hole. Tristan BEEHLER got our final goal of the game with the assist going to Anthony BEUERMAN. The final buzzer sounded and the boys skated away with a 4 to 1 win.
GAME 2 – Saturday, March 14th 8:00 pm vs. Goderich Sailors
Hockey doesn’t end when these boys leave the arena. The afternoon at the hotel consisted of an impromptu mini stick tournament to help keep the boys active and their minds ready for their evening game against Goderich. At 8:00 pm the puck dropped and Mitchell spent the first 30 seconds of the period delivering several shots on Goderich’s net, but to no avail as that goalie was not about to let any of them past him. The play moved back and forth from end to end and our goalie, Reid DEGROOT, blocked several rockets aimed at our net keeping the score respectable at the end of the first 2 to 0 for them. Goderich controlled the second period and it ended with them doubling their score. In the third, Mitchell came to life. BEEHLER netted our first goal a few minutes in with the assists going to Connor LOUWAGIE and DEARING. Goderich replied with a couple more, but Mitchell continued to provide the Sailors competition and MONDEN doubled our score with the assist going to KOERT. Nate BAKER skated fast as he moved the puck down the ice attempting to pad our score. ADAIR was on his game tonight protecting our end and moving that puck out of our end and away from our opponent’s grasp. With just 23 seconds left in this game, Nic BAKER positioned himself at the point, received the puck and precisely fired it straight to the back of Goderich’s net, top shelf. I told you he would nail that clapper, it was just a matter of time. The Mitchell fans were ecstatic and their cheers roared throughout the arena. If only we could add a few more minutes to the clock, but the game was over and we skated away with a 6 to 3 loss.
GAME 3 – Sunday, March 15th 2:10 pm vs. Thornton Tigers
After a few hours sleep and a little bit of shopping at the Outlet Mall, the Mitchell parents, unknowingly, made their last trip to the Meridian Arena for game number three against the unfamiliar Thornton Tigers. A win would mean we stick around for the finals at 8:30 pm and a loss would mean we head back to the Outlet Mall and perhaps take in a wine tour or a spa visit (I know what you’re thinking, this does not sound like a loss, but try to remember that we’re here for the kids). The arena was abuzz as the two teams hit the ice. The game got underway and Thornton lit up the scoreboard shortly thereafter. Nic BAKER responded with his infamous clapper, but Thornton’s goaltender snatched it up in his glove robbing us and keeping their lead. The Tiger’s scored two more goals before the period’s end. One of which ricocheted off of their player’s skate and into our net. At the end of the first period the score was already 3 to 0 them. Kurtis FORREST worked hard to provide continuous offensive maneuvers as he dug for the puck at the boards and moved it out of our end and into scoring position. Thornton was a fast team, but we delivered several shots on their net during that second period. Sadly, none of them went in and the period ended the same way as the first, 3 to 0 them. DEGROOT gloved a midair shot as he stood guard in front of our net. Time; however, was running out and the clock continued to count down to zero at a rapid pace. With only 39 seconds left MACARTHUR blasted the puck towards the net, top shelf, when out of nowhere Thornton’s glove hand snatched that puck from its intended resting place causing the whistle to sound and the scoreboard to remain motionless. Defeat had set in when six quick seconds later KOERT robbed Thornton’s goalie of his shutout and gave Mitchell its first goal of the game. Des FINLAYSON assisted. It was a well-played game by both teams; however, Thornton took the win, 4 to 1.
Great weekend boys!
Thank you to Niagara on the Lake Minor Hockey for hosting a wonderfully organized event. They have a beautiful arena that has functioning heaters providing comfortable accommodations for your viewing pleasure. They had professional photography, a raffle table, as well as several vendors on site including food, jewellery, hockey cards and more. There were teams from every division including Tyke right up to Bantam. Definitely keep this tournament in mind when you are deciding where to play next year.