Feb 28, 2022 | Mark Burtenshaw | 441 views
Aylmer Tournament Finalists!
The McLaughlin Auto Wholesale U13 AE Meteors competed at the annual Aylmer AE Tournament over the weekend and came home with the silver medal!
Who needs school or work on a Friday when there's a U13 AE hockey tournament in old tobacco country Aylmer, Ontario. The Meteors' first game was against the Ayr Flames and Mitchell set the tone early.... it took only 15 seconds to get on the score board when Tyler Burtenshaw won the face-off and found the back of the net. The Meteors would continue the pressure peppering the Ayr goalie with shot after shot and skating to convincing 5 - 0 victory. The defence, lead by Carter Harris (goalie), Connor Wolfe, Lucas Bree, Colby Faust and Lukas Dejong kept the Flames off the board with strong play all game. Scoring was lead by Tyler Burtenshaw (3), Colby Faust (2) with helpers coming from Burtenshaw, Faust and Wesely Berendsen.
Mitchell's second game deemed the 'Friday Night Main Event' was against the Langton Leafs. The Meteors played one of their better games of the season by putting their passing skills on display. Their ability to move the puck quickly and efficiently allowed them to control the zone for most of the game. Grinding in the corner Burtenshaw managed to come up with the puck and saucered a pass to waiting line-mate Jake Richardson who tipped the puck past the Leafs goalie to get things started. Mitchell controlled the game from start to finish and again allowed no goals winning 4 - 0. Other scoring came from Reegan Vessie and Tyler Burtenshaw (2), with assists from Vessie, Max Brodhagen and Colby Faust.
On Saturday afternoon the Meteors faced off against the Ilderton Jets who on this day proved to be a little better by besting our Meteors 3 - 1. Scoring for Mitchell was Sean Gibbings assisted by Cole Templeman. Finishing with a 2 -1 record was enough to put Mitchell into the semi-finals the following day.
In the first semi-final (8am on Sunday....1.25hr drive....ahem) the Meteors were in a show down with a fellow WOAA opponent the Saugeen Shores Storm. Early game aside the atmosphere was more electrifying than a hairdryer in a hot tub at the East Elgin Community Complex, both teams putting it all on the line for a chance at a spot in the finals. The coaching staff's pre-game message was simple, 'play like we played in game 2 and we'll give ourselves a chance'. This message resonated with the Meteors as the entire team came out with grit and determination turning the Storm into more of a 'drizzle' with a 4 to 1 victory. Early in the 3rd period with only a 2 - 0 lead, Harris made 2 key break-away saves which could have easily changed the momentum of the game. A balanced team effort saw scoring from Burtenshaw, Vessie, and Gibbings(2) with assists from Jack Crowley, Templeman, Burtenshaw and Vessie. A great win against a rival WOAA opponent.
In the championship game the Meteors again faced off against another WOAA opponent, the BCH Ice Dogs. The Meteors fought hard all game but couldn't get the offence working through a suffocating BCH defence. Mitchell kept it to a one goal game until mid-way into the 2nd period and eventually fell to the Ice Dogs who went undefeated in the tournament. The Meteors were happy to bring home the silver hardware as the team worked hard all weekend! Great job boys! Thanks to the coaches and many fans that came out to cheer on the team!