Canadian Tire Classic Champions, News, Novice Blue, 2016-2017, MD (Kitchener Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2016-2017 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Nov 28, 2016 | Brian Duke | 1074 views
Canadian Tire Classic Champions
The Novice MD Blue team travelled to Barrie this past weekend and participated in the Canadian Tire Classic tournament.  The boys represented Kitchener with class and walked away Tournament Champions!

The boys rolled through the round robin going 4 and 0 defeating Kent Teksavvy, Orangeville Flyers, Milton Winterhawks and the Flamborough Sabres.

The boys worked hard and played with grit and determination throughout the tournament.  The teamwork they displayed was amazing.  In a couple of the games we were up by a few goals and they still continued to be unselfish and pass the puck around.  We as Coaches emphasize playing as a team and working together for team success and that no one player is bigger than the team.  

When we got into the semis vs. Richmond Hill Stars that teamwork was very apparent.  They worked hard and passed the puck beautifully to each other creating lots of scoring chances.  The 1st period was hard fought and we exchanged chances back and fourth all period but there was no score after one period.  In the 2nd period we were able to get 2 goals and take that lead into the 3rd period.  Too Richmond Hill's credit they battled back and got an early goal in the 3rd period.   Scoring opportunities went back and fourth for the rest of the 3rd until late in the period we were able to add an insurance goal.  The players never quit and were determined to make it to the finals.

The championship game was set Kitchener Jr Ranger Novice MD Blue vs. Orillia Terriers.  In the Round Robin the Terriers played in the other group and had similar success to us.  We knew we were going to be in for a close game but didn't realize how close it was actually going to be.....

The 1st two periods were intense both teams battling hard.  We controlled most of the play for the 1st two periods narrowly missing several scoring chances.  Orillia's goalie was making several saves and our goalie was equal to the task making several timely stops.  We were able to get on the board first getting a goal in the 3rd.  Orillia stuck back with a goal of their own tying the game.  The boys did not panic, as a matter of fact they elevated their game and worked even harder and popped in another goal taking the lead 2-1 with 6:00 left to play in the 3rd.  The boys were thrilled jumping up and down on the bench.  With 2:45 to play in the 3rd Orillia answered back and tied the game 2-2.  Again the boys didn't quit they kept working trying to get that all important 3rd goal in regulation play.  Buzzer went to end regulation played tied 2-2.

We were off to a ten minute overtime to solve the tiebreaker.  During the ten minute overtime chances were exchanged but nothing was solved. We went to a 3 minute 4 on 4 overtime and again both teams battled back and fourth but the buzzer sounded and we were off to triple overtime.  Now we start the 6th period with a 3 on 3.  You could cut the tension with a knife.  After battling the Terriers for six periods the Terriers turned the puck over and we went down the ice and buried one in the top corner of the net. 

Kitchener gloves and sticks littered the ice and the boys celebrated their 1st tournament win of the year and could call themselves Champions!

These group of boys never cease to amaze us.  There is a lot asked of these young men and every time they have been challenged they work harder and pull together as a team!  We ask the boys to believe in themselves and to believe in their teammates, time and time again they keeping showing us that they do in fact believe in their team.

Congratulations Boys! you most definitely deserve this Championship.


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