Friday
January 5th – 7:55am – South Huron Sabres Red
The MCR Atom LL team
started off the Dairy Queen Tournament on Friday January 5th against
the host team, South Huron Sabres Red.
It was an early rise for the team with the puck dropping at 7:55am. Both teams came out strong hoping to get a
first game win. The first period was a
head-to-head battle with both teams’ defence battling hard to keep that puck
out of their nets. After a strong 10
minutes, the first period ended in a scoreless tie.
The second period did not start off any slower, with both teams looking for that first goal. With South Huron heading to the penalty box at 2 and half minutes left in the second, Mitchell stood strong hoping their power play would lead to a goal. 30 seconds later Charlie Wolfe found that sweet spot with an amazing power shot right through the 5-hole putting Mitchell on the board ending the second period 1-0.
Stepping on the ice for the 3rd period, the Mitchell team was energized from their last minute goal in the second and were eager to keep the momentum going. Rogan Catalan and Zachary Seimon-Hergott led that charge and with only 30 seconds off the clock, fired the puck to Tyler Scherbarth who had one heck of a spin-around goal. At the 7 minute mark, Mitchell headed to the South Huron net. With a lot of digging at the net and not giving up, Rogan Catalan finally found the opening and sunk that puck right to the back of the net. Right from the face-off with a quick battle in the corner, Calum Harris snuck over to the net and with a sweet wrist shot, flipped the puck to the top of the net to put Mitchell up 4-0. South Huron was not to be denied a point on the board and being short-handed, they were able to stick the puck in the Mitchell net with 4 minutes left in the 3rd. South Huron was able to sneak one more goal past Aedan McCann after some amazing saves throughout the game. With a final score of 4-2, Mitchell won their first game of the tournament and earned 9 points to put them on top in the point race for Pool A.
Friday January 5th – 6:25pm – Blyth/Brussels Crusaders
The MCR Atom LL headed back to the arena for the second game of the Tournament facing off against Blyth/Brussels Crusaders. Much like the first game, both teams came out strong. Mitchell would fight their hardest which would be rewarded with 3 minutes left in the first. Charlie Wolfe would see an open spot after a great pass from Calum Harris to break away down the ice and strike for that first goal. 10 seconds later right from the faceoff, Bentley Phillips would charge down the ice to sink that puck in the net ending the 1st with Mitchell up 2-0.
The 2nd period would not let the fans down with some amazing action-packed plays. Aedan McCann would make some great saves helping his team keep their 2-0 lead. With less than 2 minutes left in the 2nd, some great team work from Charlie Wolfe, Griffin Bree and Calum Harris to keep the puck in the Blyth/Brussels end. Digging to get the puck loose, all 3 boys would contribute to getting the puck free with Charlie getting the last dig for that a sweet third goal.
With Mitchell being up 3-0 going into the 3rd, Blyth/Brussels was eager to get their first goal. 2 minutes into the 3rd, Blyth/Brussels would find the back of the Mitchell net to land that first goal. 2 minutes later they would find the net again putting the score at 3-2. Mitchell wasn’t ready to give up the fight and landed a 4th goal with another team effort. Griffin Bree would backhand the goal with assists coming from Calum Harris and Bentley Phillips. With 4 minutes left in the period, Blyth/Brussels would get the final goal of the game.
Great work Mitchell, with a final score of 4-3 Mitchell would add 8 more points towards winning Pool A.
Saturday January 6th – 1:00pm – Lincoln Ice Breakers
The MCR Atom LL headed back to the arena for their 3rd round-robin game on Saturday January 6th at 1pm.
Both teams were right on the puck right from the opening face-off, leading to an action-packed period. Mitchell's defence stood strong keeping the puck in the Lincoln end, while the forwards kept digging hoping to pop the puck to the back of the net. With 50 seconds left in the 1st, Griffin Bree would chip the puck to Charlie Wolfe after never giving up, landing Mitchell on the score board to end the 1st.
The 2nd period wouldn't start any slower with both teams fighting to keep the puck out of their end. With just under 3 minutes left, Zachary Siemon-Hergott broke away from the pack getting caught up in the corner firing an amazing wrist shot over to an open Rogan Catalan who flipped the puck to the back of the net.
With Mitchell up 2-0 heading into the 3rd, the action heated up as Lincoln worked feverishly to get a point on the board. Mitchell kept pace and ultimately shut down that chance.
With 5 minutes left in the 3rd, Aubrey Vosper passed to an open Tyler Scherbarth who would march down the ice firing right through the five-hole landing Mitchell’s 3rd and final goal.
Mitchell would hold off Lincoln for the remaining 5 minutes ending in 3-0 shut-out.
Mitchell received 11 points for the game putting them as the winners of Pool A and with a grand total of 28 points, earned them the distinction as the top team for all 3 Pools! This set the stage for Mitchell to face off at 9 am Sunday morning against Lucan Irish in the semi-finals.
Sunday January 7th – 9:10am – Lucan Irish-White
The MCR Atom LL headed into the semi-finals, facing off against Lucan Irish on Sunday January 7th at 9:10am.
Both teams had their hopes set high as a win would advance them to the gold medal game. With exceptional stick handling on each side, both teams would prove to make the play tough for their opponent. Aedan McCann was strong in the net shutting down breakaways, keeping Lucan off the score board.
At the end of 3 scoreless periods, the boys headed to a 5 minute 3-on-3 over time period.
To say the action was electrifying would be an understatement as there were some amazing opportunities for both teams. With less than 2 minutes left, Mitchell would head to the penalty box changing the play to 4-on-3 Mitchell held strong keeping the puck away from their net ending the overtime scoreless.
On to a shoot-out, Mitchell and Lucan would line up at the same time for a best of 3.
Zachary Seimon-Hergott would shoot first sinking that puck straight in, Lucan would also sneak that puck right under Aedan's pads (Mitchell 1 ~ Lucan 1). Charlie Wolfe would line up next, marching right down the ice for the second shoot-out goal with Aedan McCann stopping the second Lucan shot (Mitchell 2 ~ Lucan 1). Griffin Bree lined up for the final shot unfortunately missing but Aedan McCann would shut down Lucan one more time for the win! An incredible ending to a truly awesome game as both teams played their hearts out providing great moments for the fans on both sides. Well-done boys!
Sunday January 7th – 2:00pm – Kitchener AtoMc-White
The MCR Atom LL went into the final game of the tournament, facing off against Kitchener AtoMc-White on Sunday January 7th at 2:00pm. After winning 4 straight games over the weekend, Mitchell was striving for Gold.
The 1st and 2nd period were action-packed and full of amazing plays. Aedan McCann was strong between the posts shutting down breakaways and making phenomenal saves.
The 3rd period was a nail-biter after Kitchener landed their first goal 2 minutes into the period. Mitchell did not back down, eager to tie the game. At the 3 minute mark, Griffin Bree made an amazing shot from the corner slipping it behind the goalie to tie the game. The action was fast & furious from that point on. With 1 minute and 11 seconds left in the game, Kitchener netted their 2nd goal. Only 25 seconds later, Calum Harris would sink another shot into the Kitchener net! Unfortunately 10 seconds later, with only 39 seconds on the clock and right from the face-off, Kitchener fired one final shot into the Mitchell net. Mitchell gave it their all in the remaining 39 seconds but were unable to tie it up.
An amazing final game of the Dairy Queen Cup would net Mitchell with a Silver Medal. WAY TO GO MITCHELL!!
A tremendous tournament for the MCR Mitchell Atom LL crew! MVP honours were awarded to the following players, however, the ENTIRE TEAM deserves special mention as to how hard they ALL played, supporting their teammates and never once giving up! We’re so very proud of you all.
Game 1 Aedan McCann
Game 2 Bentley Phillips
Game 3 Aubrey Vosper
Semi-Final Charlie Wolfe
Final Matthew Menheere