NobleKing Challenge Cup, January 9 – 11
The weekend of January 9 through 11 the Novice Thunder found
themselves competing in the Noble King ‘A’ Challenge Cup. We knew going in this would be an extremely
stern test for the team, but felt it would be a great motivator as we headed
into our playoff season.
Game 1
Sterling vs. Oro
2-1 ORO
Our first opponent, the Sterling Blues, came into the tournament with a stellar record with only two defeats all season. During our pre-game speech the coaches stressed the players would have to be at their best if they were going to compete with such a competitive team. From the opening puck drop both teams were competing equally hard as they knew they were facing an extremely tough adversary. Mid-way through the period, during a span of 30 seconds, the quick-strike attack of the Thunder were able to bury two quick ones past a shocked and surprised Sterling team. As the first period concluded, the Thunder found themselves up by two, in what was a well-played first period by both teams.
The second period was contested just like the first, but neither team was able to find the back of the twine. 2-0 Thunder after two!
As the third period opened, and time running out for Sterling, they tried to kick their offense into high gear. The Thunder weathered their storm and countered with their own Thunderous attacks. During one tremendous rush, and constant pressure around the Sterling net, a Sterling defender was forced to cover the puck in his own crease...which resulted in the most exciting play in hockey – the PENALTY SHOT!!! Devin was selected to take the shot. As he lined up at centre, it reminded me of that old classic...YOUNG BLOOD. As the referee blew his whistle to start the play, Devin’s blades ripped into the ice as he raced toward the Sterling net. With a great fake and a head bob...he went left and he went right...to deke the goalie...only to be out duelled by a terrific Sterling netminder! Great move, Devo...we thought you had him!
As the final seconds were ticking away in the game, Sterling pressure forced the Thunder into a penalty situation. With the Sterling goal empty, the Thunder found themselves two men short in a 6 on 4 situation. Sterling’s top shooters were all on the ice and the collective talent were able to bulge the twine to make it 2-1 Thunder with only 90 seconds left in the game. With the Sterling cage still wide open, the Thunder players locked the front door and closed the game out with a 2-1 victory!!!!!
Game 2
NobleKing vs. Oro
4-1, NobleKing
Our second match of the day pitted us against the host NobleKing Knights...an absolute power house of a team. The home team gave the Thunder a little taste of their own medicine and blitzed us right off the opening puck drop, banging in two goals in the first two shifts. The coaching staff stressed to the players to re-gain their focus which resulted in our players raising their compete level and giving the host everything they could handle!
With such an extremely talented NobleKing team loaded with offensive talent throughout their line-up, it proved to all Thunder fans how fortunate we are to have four incredibly talented defensemen on our team. Our D men were able to match the attacking speed of NobleKing forwards with tremendous backward skating. Their smooth pivots from backwards to forwards, closed the gap so quickly that attacking forwards were forced into the corners where pucks were immediately turned over. Owen and Wesley were a force in front of Jensen, and cleared the crease quickly and efficiently. Logan and Nick were a pair of veterans shutting down Knight forwards time and time again.
Although we played with character and grit all game long, we were not able to make up the early deficit to a tough Knights team. The 4-1 loss was taken in stride with maturity, and the boys took this disappointment and channeled it into motivation for Saturday’s twin bill.
Game 3
Oro vs. Aurora
10-1 Oro
Despite giving up the opening goal in the first 13 seconds of the game, Thunder players were ready to bring out their offensive punch against the Tigers of Aurora.
The newly formed line of Caden, Sammy and Taylor proved “Too Fast” and “Too Furious” for the Tigers to contain. Throughout the game, Taylor was a play-making machine, setting up 4 goals for his line-mates. Caden was also an offensive dynamo, sending 5 laser-guided rockets to the top corners of the net. Sammy was a tornado on ice, constantly whipping up the Tigers and fascinating the crowd with his speed down the ice, especially on his sweet goal breakaway style. This new line was impressing fans and coaches alike.
The rest of the team played like they were on a mission – on a quest for the NobleKing Cup! Their amazing play resulted in a 10-1 win which pumped us up for our final game on Saturday afternoon!
Game 4
Oro vs. Metcalf
8-0, ORO
Our final game on Saturday had us matched with the Metcalf Jets. The boys were hungry and were told that with a “win” they would get a re-match in the championship final with the NobleKing Knights. This provided all the motivation the kids would need, as they thoroughly dominated this match from start to finish.
With a game under their belt, the new line of Devin, Jack and Noal were an unstoppable offensive tidal wave. The chemistry on this new line made it look as though they had played together for years. Devin made sweet dishes to line mates all game long, while leading the forechecking and backchecking. Jack ripped a one-timer past an unsuspecting goalie, but most impressively, his play-making skills came to the forefront as he continues to make smart, heads-up passes which lead to assists. Noal’s brilliant play over the past month was evident again this game, with his hustle and tenacity leading him to numerous quality scoring chances and a 3-point night!
Our 8-0 victory allowed us to finish second in the pool, giving us the opportunity to get a good night’s sleep to return to face the host club on Sunday morning.
Game 5- Final Game
Oro vs. NobleKing
5-2, NobleKing
Sunday morning brought us face to face once with the NobleKing Knights. With just the one match-up under their belts, you could feel the rivalry between the two teams. The game promised to be a thriller from start to finish with the Challenge Cup on the line.
The visiting team bench and crowd erupted four minutes into the first when Sammy hit Caden for a sweet one-timer to put us up one goal. The home team countered late in the first with two goals, three minutes apart, to take a 2-1 lead into the second period. Even though the Thunder found themselves down one going into the second, the coaching staff felt the team deserved a better fate for the last two periods of the game.
The spirit and energy on the bench transferred onto the ice and led to an intense forecheck and some great team play. This passion and energy directly led to the tying goal 2 minutes into the second period. The next 17 minutes of intense hockey forced players from both sides to reach deep down inside to see what they were made of. The energy and passion displayed by both teams showed that these young players were full of character and drive.
Of particular note, was Number 1 in RED – Jensen! His willingness to compete and battle were on full display as he was determined to give his teammates every opportunity to win. Jensen, with his cat-like reflexes, snagged numerous shots with his trapper. His lightning quick feet and smooth, butterfly style, took away every opportunity on the ice...frustrating NobleKing players time and time again. His stellar play not only thrilled the Thunder fans and coaches, but a true indication of how well his was playing came through the ovations of the home team crowd.
With less than 5 minutes to go in the third and the game still knotted at two, the Thunder were forced to play a man down. During the ensuing penalty kill, the grace of the Hockey Gods left us as one of those bounces found a lucky break and the puck trickled in rolling over the goal line. The players remained focused and determined, even after such an emotional let-down. They used the final five minutes to pressure and attack the NobleKing net looking to tie the game and force it into overtime.
As the seconds ticked away, the Thunder were forced to pull our goalie hoping the sixth attacker would make a difference and allow us to tie the game. Sadly, today would not be our day to bring the Challenge Cup home, as the vacated net sealed our fate.
As the buzzer sounded ending this epic match, the coaches could not have been more impressed with the play of the team all tournament long. The team showed a real commitment to compete and never backed down from any challenge presented. The intensity of this tournament proved our boys have true CANADIAN hockey blood in their veins! This experience will bode well for our upcoming playoffs and Silver Stick matches. Way to go, team! I am so proud of you!