Bobby Orr Classic Tournament – October 17 – 19
Our Novice Rep team saw the beginning of tournament season
with a match against East Gwillimbury at the Bobby Orr Classic Tournament in Parry
Sound! Our game started at 4 p.m., much
to the delight of all of our players as it led to an early exit from school!
Game 1: East Gwillimbury, Score 9-1 ORO
The boys were excited, and maybe a little bit nervous facing an unfamiliar rival, but rose to the challenge 36 seconds into the first period. Noal sniped a beauty to the top shelf leaving the fans cheering wildly for number 11 and his helpers Sammy and Nick!
After the opening goal, play settled down with both teams generating offensive chances and lots of great passing and shooting by Taylor.
Both goalies were exceptional with Jenson making several highlight glove saves.
Late in the first period we challenged the boys to raise the level of their game by competing a little harder and sharing the puck by making smart passes...and boy did they deliver!
Sam got the momentum rolling with some excellent board play and by driving hard to the net and banging in a rebound off a “high and hard” Devin shot!
Our defensive play, again, was exceptional. Wesley, Logan, Nicky and Owen were all playing like seasoned veterans, calm and cool. Each of them took turns making great defensive plays and limiting any sustained zone time by the East Gwillimbury forwards.
In the 2nd and 3rd, two line mates hit one of those hot streaks all hockey players hope for, where anything you shoot goes into the net. Jack and Caden both notched a hat trick each, not only to the delight of their teammates, but also the fan who celebrated both hat tricks by throwing a hat onto the ice...NHL-style!
What a great way to start off the tournament!
Game 2: West Ferris Trappers, Score 8-0 ORO
After a great team meal at Don Cherry’s and plenty of pool time at the hotel, the boys were back on the ice Saturday morning to face the Trappers of North Bay. Both teams came out aggressive and full of energy and provided spectators with a great first period. With a minute left in the first, Caden went on a beautiful coast to coast rush and finished off with a “Bar Down” to put the Thunder up 1-0 after one.
During the team meeting between periods the coaching staff impressed upon the players to dig deeper and play with passion. Early in the second, Logan provided a little more breathing room with a great goal on a great pass by Sammy. It was quite fitting that our NUMBER 4...played just like BOBBY ORR! Nicky led several rushes yet dominated the defensive zone, which would have made Parry Sound’s famous ORR proud!
Wesley, Nicky, Owen and Logan threw up a brick wall around and in front of our tender, Jenson, who celebrated another shut-out and amazing play.
Jack’s passing was outstanding, providing his teammates with several sweet passes right to the tape. With some strong forechecking led by Taylor, Devin and Noal along with the rest of the forwards, we were able to get our offensive game back on track and bulged the twine several times in both the second and third to celebrate a victory.
Game 3: Port Colbourne, Score 5-2 ORO
Saturday afternoon we were matched up with a strong Port Colbourne Sailor team. They presented many challenges for us, not only with their amazing skill, but the hulking size of their players. The Thunder did not back down...and the game was played at a fast and physical pace.
Caden continued his hot streak with yet another hatty, with helpers from Taylor, Wesley and Noal. Devin and Samuel also found the back of the net during the second period to provide us with some breathing room. Jack continued to rush end to end, shutting down opponents at critical times. To Port Colbourne’s credit, they never quit and gave our boys a solid challenge.
Our D worked hard to intercept the Sailors, and Owen impressed the crowd with his competitive edge. Wesley, Logan and Nicky found themselves stopping many rushes, helping our fearless tender Jenson without hesitation.
The final score was 5-2, but was a much closer game than the score would indicate.
At the end of the day, even with exceptional play, the Thunder found themselves in second place in the overall standings behind a strong Ingersol team who had one more goal “for”. The boys were still ecstatic to be heading into the semi-final game on Sunday.
We celebrated back at the hotel with a little swimming, Minute to Win It and Just Dance...even for the adults! Even with all the celebrating the boys knew to get to bed at a good hour to be ready for their match on Sunday.
Game 4: Port Colbourne, Score 5-4 ORO
With all the tabulations complete, Oro Thunder were once again matched up against the tough Port Colbourne Sailors. The boys were determined to reach the championship game and played with passion and drive.
The first period saw the Thunder and the Sailors both hard on the puck and each other. Both opponents made several end-to-end rushes which were turned aside by excellent goaltending. Jenson was dazzling the crowd and frustrating the Sailors by making outstanding saves.
Throughout the game, we were never more than a goal apart, with our goals being answered time and time again.
When we needed them the most, the backbone of our team – the DEFENSE CORE – got together and decided they were going to lock things down. Owen played aggressive and communicated well with his partner Wesley as they both shut down Sailor attacks. Logan and Nick continued their rock-solid play defensively and chipped in with a couple of helpers on great outlet passes. With a late-great second period goal by Jack on a beautiful passing play by Caden and Logan we were able to head into the third up a goal, which gave our fans some excitement and relief.
During the third, the Sailors refused to quit despite constant Thunder forechecking pressure led by Taylor and Noal. Sammy was fearless and always in the thick of the action and forced the Sailors to take several penalties. To Port Colbourne’s credit, at the 6 minute mark of the third, the Sailors tied it up on a beautiful end to end rush.
The Thunder did not lose their composure, and Devin, Sammy and Noal combined to give us the go ahead goal we needed with three minutes remaining.
The crowd was going wild, especially with 54 seconds remaining in the game as Oro took a penalty and the Sailors pulled their goalie, creating a 6 on 4 man advantage. The entire team held tough and managed to kill off the penalty – successfully getting through the semi-final game with a 5-4 win. The fans and players alike were ecstatic with the result!
FINAL Game 5: Ingersol, Score 3-2 ORO
Heading into the championship game, the coaching staff asked the players to raise their “COMPETE” level another notch as we were facing an extremely talented Ingersol team.
Oro came out guns a-blazing and looked hot on their feet, only to be shut down by an early 1st period goal by the Express. Our forwards were relentless in forechecking and backchecking as Taylor and Sammy took on Ingersol without hesitation. Half-way through the first we tied it up with a sweet top shelf goal by Caden.
Throughout the second, both teams battled fiercely to gain the upper edge. Devin was a man on a mission, having many chances that were foiled by excellent goaltending. Our D remained strong, as Logan got the fans cheering wildly on his famous coast to coast rushes. Impressively, he attacks hard, then moves back into his defensive position, never leaving an open or vulnerable spot. Nicky and Wesley were solid, dependable helpers for Jenson, who was also at his game best. Owen continued to compete, which is just what the coaches ordered and no surprise for the fans.
Mid-way through the third period, with the score tied at 2, the puck ended up on Caden’s stick at our blue line. With a great heads-up play, he sent a cross-ice pass to Logan, who immediately deked around one opposition player to set-up a two-on-one with Jack. Logan ripped a high-hard shot that was turned aside by the Ingersol goalie. Without hesitiation, Jack drove the net and deposited the puck into the back of the net sending the crowd into a frenzy!
With our one goal lead, and precariously hanging on, the Thunder battled for the remaining 8 minutes of the third period. In the final two minutes of play, Ingersol found themselves on a two-on one advantage. With great speed and determination, Noal backchecked to break up the rush and preserve our one-goal lead heading into the final seconds of play.
In the last minute of play, Taylor led his line mates and did an amazing job of keeping the puck deep in the Express end, preventing them from pulling their goalie for the extra attacker.
As the buzzer sounded, the players and fans erupted with jubilation and pride on an epic accomplishment!
The coaches couldn’t be more proud of all the players and the commitment they made to compete and play like a team. It was an amazing tournament weekend that we won’t soon forget!!!