Silver Stick Tournament – Saturday, November 29
Penetang Game: 5-0,
ORO
Saturday had the Thunder attending the Silver Stick in
Wasaga Beach. The kids showed up excited
and eager and it was easy to tell they were pumped to get the tournament
started! Our first game had us facing a
familiar foe from Penetang. This was our
fourth meeting of the year and the Thunder were ready to play!
From the opening face-off our Thunder players attacked relentlessly. Shift after shift pucks were dumped in deep and pursued with conviction. This tremendous forechecking led to numerous scoring chances. If not for the excellent goaltending of Camden M. of Penetang, this game could have been over early. As time ticked down in the first, Noal, Caden and Jack hooked up on a great scoring play. Noal, with a smart heads up play, chipped the puck in behind the Penetang defence. Jack led a strong, aggressive forecheck and took the puck hard to the net. A great save was made but led to a scrimmage around the Penetang cage. With quick hands Caden was able to sweep the puck into the net. This was not a highlight reel goal but the type of goal that wins hockey games! Great shift!
A minute later on a great play by Owen and Wesley, both stood tall at our defensive blue line forcing a Penetang turnover. Caden quickly jumped on a loose puck and transitioned to offense. With a tremendous burst of speed Caden went quickly around two players and deposited a hard wrister to the top shelf. Caden, you sure have a knack for the top shelf!
As the first period drew to a close the Thunder were up 2. Players and Coaches were thrilled with the effort!
The second period brought a real commitment to compete and the first shift was no exception. Devin won the faceoff cleanly to Logan who moved his feet quickly and made a great pass to Jack. Jack pushed the puck deep into the Penetang zone. Taylor started a strong forecheck and was able to gain control of the puck. With great patience he moved the puck to Devin who performed a little magic to free himself from his check and put a tape to tape pass to Jack who hammered home the 3rd Thunder goal!
A special mention goes to all of our defensemen. Nicky, Logan, Wesley and Owen: you guys were absolutely incredible this game! The way you guys controlled the offensive blueline was something to behold. Countless times today you each made great decisions to pinch down the boards to keep pucks in and it led to the sustained pressure we were able to mount. You were constantly making great decisions to put pucks on the net or deep into the corner. Your stellar play this game led to a miniscule 5 shots on our net. Continued play like this will bring great results for the team!
Mid-way through the second, two players who are starting to develop some real chemistry hooked up again. Devin spotted Jack in open space with a great pass. Jack wasted no time bulging the twine and allowing Thunder players and fans to breathe a little easier! As the buzzer sounded to conclude the second, the coaches couldn’t have been happier with the effort and execution being displayed by our troops.
The third period was more of the same. The kids showed character and a commitment to compete. Noal and Sammy displayed terrific skill and tenacity throughout the period, leading push after push. If not for the great Penetang goaltending and shot blocking of fearless Penetang players you both would have found the back of the net!
Late in the third and with the game winding down, Penetang forwards were able to push through the stingy Thunder defence. A crafty Penetang forward launched a shot destined for the back of the net. With cat-like reflexes Jensen shot his right foot out and turned aside a sure goal to preserve his shut-out!
As Jensen kicked the puck to the corner, Owen quickly pounced on the puck. With patience and savvy, he quickly skated the puck to safety and started the breakout with a slick pass to Sammy. Sammy moved the puck with precision to Caden as they entered the Penetang zone. With his patented high hard shot, Caden finished off the scoring and the Thunder were off to a 1-0 stand at the Silver Stick!
Awesome start, boys!
Saturday Afternoon – Oro vs. New Castle
4-0, ORO
Saturday afternoon at the Silver Stick brought us face to face with a tough New Castle team. Not having seen the New Castle team play, the coaching staff couldn’t provide a scouting report to the players. The coaches asked the players to focus on themselves but the lack of information seemed to have the kids on edge and a little nervous.
As the puck dropped the nerves seemed to paralyze the players and a breakaway was given up. All good goalies make great saves, but great goalies make great saves at key moments in a game...and this was certainly one of those times. Jensen – I can’t give you enough credit! You played the shooter to perfection. You were patient and let the shooter make the first move. With a solid push to the left you took away the entire net and made a tough save look easy. In my opinion, this was the key moment in the game. This save allowed the rest of the team to relax and breathe a little easier!
With the first shift behind us, all players were able to get onto the ice and shake away any nerves and focus on themselves. As time elapsed the boys began to take control of the game and impose their will. The Thunder notched the first goal of the game on a terrific play started by Nick. Nicky, with his silky smooth skating, easily out-raced an opponent to a loose puck in our end. With a heads-up play, he stopped by the net and sent a tape to tape pass to Jack at the hash marks. Jack surveyed his options and found a lane up the right boards and accelerated quickly to gain entry into the New Castle zone. Jack then sent a crisp pass to Devin who made no mistake zinging a top-shelf, bar down goal past a helpless tender! Wonderful shot, Devin!
With the first goal on the board and the kids feeling more confident, they continued to push the pace. Their enthusiasm and energy created numerous turnovers and quality scoring chances. Kudos should be given to the New Castle goalie who was holding his team in the game.
With seconds remaining in the first, Owen stood tall at the offensive blue, intercepted a clearing attempt and made a terrific pass to Caden in the high slot. With Sammy and Noal tying up New Castle defenders in front of the net and providing a screen, Caden was able to blast a rocket past a New Castle goalie who never saw it coming. Coaches love offense at any time, but goals late in periods really helps a team carry over momentum into the next period...and this goal certainly did that!
As the second period opened the chemistry between Devin, Jack and Taylor came to the forefront again. These three boys seem to really enjoy playing together! As Taylor and Jack were causing havoc below the goal line, Devin was able to swoop in and pick up a loose puck and come out front untouched to tap in an easy one. Great credit to Taylor and Jack for going to the dirty areas and winning puck battles for a line mate!
A real highlight of the game for the coaching staff was the fourth goal. Prior to the tournament the coaches have stressed the importance of winning face-offs not only in the defensive zone but also the offensive zone as it can lead to scoring chances. As Devin entered the face-off dot low and determined, great things were about to happen. With quick hands he quickly pulled the puck to Nick who sent a cross ice D to D pass to Logan who fired a Thunderbolt past the New Castle goalie who didn’t have time to move. He was as surprised as everyone in the crowd! An amazing play guys, and a real highlight of the game!
With two periods behind us and a quick recess before the third, the coaches asked the players to lock things down defensively and close the game out.
Full credit goes to the boys as they gave up only 1 shot during the final frame. Wesley and Owen were solid and stifled any attempt by New Castle players to leave their zone. These boys know how to stop pucks at the blue line and make it look easy! Our two Selke Trophy nominees for top defensive forwards would have to go to Sammy and Noal. Guys- you provided a ton of offence for the team but also locked things down defensively. When New Castle players entered the neutral zone you used your exceptional speed, created the proper defensive angle and quickly snuffed out offensive chances.
As the final buzzer sounded on a 4-0 victory, the coaches were exceptionally proud of the boys. When the day began we asked them to compete hard and strive to finish first in the pool. As the day closed they had accomplished both! Well done!