Silver Stick Success!, News, Atom AE, U11, 2015-2016 (Oro Thunder Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2015-2016 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Nov 23, 2015 | Scott Bjaanes | 966 views
Silver Stick Success!
The team went into the weekend with high hopes and didn't disappoint at the Regional Silver Stick Tournament in Collingwood.

Going into the weekend the team had just come off a tough loss in league play and had to put it behind them if they were going to compete in the Silver Stick.  The goal of the weekend was to out work the competition with each player controlling their own effort and attitude.
Each and every player showed a great deal of character and resilience winning 4 tightly contested games, all by 1 goal margins!  Game 1 had us playing league rivals from Collingwood who were out to avenge their 1 and only loss of the season to us.  Knowing we were in tough the boys pulled out an even game by a score of 2-1. The second game was against Erin and while we carried much of the play the game was tied at 1 heading into the 3rd.  We were able to build a lead and were up 3-1 but much like our own team, Erin wasn't going to go quietly and closed the gap to 3-2 as Oro held on for the win.
With an unbalanced number of participants, the teams were seeded 1 through 7 after day 1.  With a 2-0 record we were seeded 3rd which meant a rematch with Collingwood.  We knew we were in for another battle and found ourselves down 1-0 heading into the third period.  Eventually our determination and hard work paid off as we were able to tie the score mid way through the 3rd.  Continuing to press forward, we took the lead with 10 minutes to play.  Emphasizing the need to keep pressing and not sit back, the boys were able to hold on for the victory send us on to the semi-finals.
After 3 exciting games the semi-finals proved no different.  Facing off against a tough team from Dorchester we were on our heels to start the game and they pushed hard.  Fortunately Oro was able to strike first with a goal midway through the first period.  Then it was white knuckle time as the 2 teams played scoreless hockey for the rest of the game.  There were lots of chances at both ends but timely goaltender and a great 2 way effort from all the boys meant we were off to the finals!
The Silver Stick final had Oro facing off against another team from Collingwood (AE3).  Although from a different loop we had played them in 2 exhibition games to start the season and knew we were in tough.  However lots can change in a month and our boys showed just how far we had come!  Another tight checking, competitive game, the teams were deadlocked at 0-0 heading into the 3rd period.  The tournament championship came down to 15 minutes.  Unfortunately Collingwood was the first to strike and take the lead.  Although resiliency prevailed and the boys never quit we were unable to find the back of the net and fell 2-0 to a very good team.
The coaching staff and all the parents are very proud of the way the team came together and played hard from the opening face-off to the final buzzer.  The work ethic and positive attitude from each and every player was awesome.  Although the final result wasn't what we wanted, it was a fantastic tournament for a fantastic group of boys.
Excited to see what's ahead for the team!