If you didn’t have a ticket to last
weekend’s Silver Stick tournament in Exeter, you missed a great showing of
sportsmanship, dedication, and perseverance.
The boys hit the ice Friday morning against hometown team, South Huron Sabres. Mitchell found their legs late in the third period with goals scored by Lucas Bree and Nate Uniac. Assisted from Grady Smith and Hudson Porter, to claim the win by 2 to 1.
The boys were back on the ice Saturday morning playing against Listowel Cyclones. Rogan Catalan opened the scoring with a scrappy goal in front of the net, assisted by Caden Diehl. A few minutes passed and Listowel tied it up. Listowel went on a run with three unanswered goals making it 3 to 1 into the second period. The team started to pick it up in the third period with 10 min left and down 2 goals. They got their second wind and started the uphill climb. They went on a 3-goal burst that put them ahead 4 to 3 and the comeback was complete. Goal scorers were Grady Smith, Max Hannon, and Will McKee. Caden Diehl assisted on 2 of those goals with Grady Smith and Rogan Catalan on the others. The Meteors third game was against the Ilderton Jets. The game started with a quick pass by Caden Diehl to Max Hannon to put Mitchell on the score board. Isaak Smith hit the back of the net unassisted. Putting the Meteors ahead 2 nothing at the end of the first. During second period, Aedan stood his ground for almost 2 periods before they broke the ice and the Jets snuck one passed him. The boys decided to play the third period in a defensive strategy that wore down the Jets to the very last minute. Grady Smith jumped on a loose puck scoring into the empty net securing the win for the Meteors.
It was early to bed for the boys and much needed rest since they were headed to the Semi Final game on Sunday at 8:00 am where there would be standing room only for the spectators.
Sunday morning the boys were up bright and early to play Mooretown Jr. Flags. Both teams were evenly matched, and in the end it was the best played game in the entire tournament. Mitchell opened the scoring with a direct pass from Hudson Porter to Grady. Shortly after Mooretown capitalized on a powerplay goal that tied it up. We were on the edge of our seats for the next two periods. The boys had to play against Mooretown shorthanded for most of the second and third period pushing the game into overtime. Overtime was 3 on 3. One of the Mooretown players won the face off and took a quick shot that snuck passed Aedan and ended the game.
The U15 Mitchell Meteor’s need to hold their heads high, and all the parents and supporters are very proud of them. Thank you to the coaching staff and the players for a great tournament and for everyone that made the drive in the blowing snow. We look forward to bigger and better things after this great showing.