Jan 10, 2016 | Weldon Johnston | 480 views
Pirates Impress Despite the Loses
The Pirates are moving in the right direction as the second half of the season begins. Despite three loses in the Jayden Elmore Memorial tournament in London on the weekend, two of the three loses were close one-goal nail biters that proved the Pirates are ready to take the second half of the 2015-16 season by storm.
In the first game against the Oakville Wolverines the Pirates came out strong in the first period and held the Wolverines scoreless. A fluke deflection to start off the second had the boys reeling, followed by two more goals from, both from scrambles, had the Pirates back on their heels. Not to be outdone, the Pirates fought back with a barrage of shots from the point only to be repeatedly turned aside by the Wolverines netminder. Finally, in the third the Wolverines sealed the deal with an early goal. The team focus was forechecking and pressure Eli B. answered the call, earning himself the MVP puck for the game. Final score Wolverines 4 - Pirates 0.
The second game against the Oakville Mustangs had the Mustangs surging ahead with two quick tallies in the first period. Once the boys got their legs under them they managed to stem the tide, only to have the Mustangs notch another in the second. In the third period the Pirates fought back with two of their own, one from Brayden B. and one from Eli to bring things close. The team focus for this game was on shots on goal, lead by Brad W's blasts from the point he definitely had the right idea and was named MVP for the game. Final score Mustangs 3 - Pirates 2.
The final game of the tournament saw the Pirates pitted against the Oakville Grizzlies. With the tournament set up, miraculously the Pirates still had a slim mathematical chance of making the playoffs. It would take a Herculean effort the defeat the Grizzlies and force a tie-breaker but it all hope was not yet lost. The Grizzlies started off well with a goal in the first while on the powerplay and looked like they were a team on a mission. Time after time the Pirates turned back the relentless Grizzlies who failed to convert on three other powerplay chances. Even with a rare penalty shot call the Pirates still held their ground. Alex J. was named the game MVP for holding the fort, especially with back to back saves, first on the breakaway and then on the ensuing penalty shot. As the game wound down the Pirates made the entire entourage of friends and family proud as they continued to fight hard, regardless of the outcome. Final score Grizzlies 1 - Pirates 0.