Novice MD Blue Salute their Parents for all their support this season!, 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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Mar 22, 2017 | Brian Duke | 1408 views
Novice MD Blue Salute their Parents for all their support this season!
The Coaching staff couldn't be prouder of these group of boys!  Much was asked of these boys and they delivered!!!

We have come a long way from the beginning of the season. We started the season 0-4 and then something magical happened, something clicked during our tournament in Peterborough.  Friendships were formed with both the players and parents and we started becoming a team!!! 
We finished the season 33-18-6.  The last 10 games of the season we went 8-1-1 earning a playoff spot vs. Woodstock which went undefeated in Tier 2 all year. The 1st game of the series was hard fought with end to end action with lots pf scoring chances for both sides.  The deciding goal was scored by Woodstock on their Power play with approximately six minutes left in the game.  The boys tried desperately to score the tying goal but came up short and game 1 went to Woodstock 1-0 to spite a great team effort and fantastic goaltending!
Game two was back in Kitchener and the support from the parents, friends and other supporters were there to cheer us on!  Game two was similar to game 1 chances were exchanged back and fourth but either team could bury their chances, until once again Woodstock scored with six minutes left in the game.  However the boys didn't quit with the end of the season hanging in the balance THEY BATTLED so hard.  A timeout was called and our Goalie was pulled.  We drew up a play which was executed perfectly and with :36 seconds left in the game we buried one to tie the game.  Nothing was solved in overtime and we earned a point.  I would be remiss if I didn't mention that our Goaltending was again fantastic!
Game 3 in Woodstock the next night. Down 3 points to 1 in the series we needed a win to keep the series going.  The boys were warming up and all we could hear was the Parents cheering for the boys trying to get them pumped up!  The boys lined up at Centre ice for puck drop and the atmosphere was electric.  The benches where are Parents were standing were vibrating which could be heard around the entire arena!  I couldn't help but get a chill.  Did I mention we were playing in their Arena.  
The 1st period was end to end and again we were exchanging chance.  Woodstock scored a goal near the end of the 1st period. They added three more in the 2nd and we found our selves down 4-0.  A lot of teams would have quit but not these boys!  We scored early in the 3rd period giving us a little life! Shortly after we popped another narrowing the gap 4-2.  We pulled the Goalie knowing that we needed 2 goals and as hard as the boys battled Woodstock was able to score an empty netter.
The boys went out ending the season fighting hard like they did all season.  They played as hard as they could and played like champions!
The boys at the end of the game saluted their Parents for all their support throughout the year by raising their sticks! 

I am not a overly emotional person but I can't even tell you how many times these boys rendered me speechless and in awe of their selflessness, teamwork, handwork and genuinely caring for each other.  We saw kids that were down on the ice hurt and players going to pick them up to carry them to the bench.  We saw players sticking up for each other against other teams.  We saw players trying to motivate other players.  We saw players consoling other players after being eliminated from the playoffs.

As Coaches we are supposed to develop, teach players about respect for teammates, Referees and their competition.  We are supposed to inspire and motivate our players to give their best effort every practice, every shift and every game.  As I told the boys they were the ones that inspired us and left us wanting to be better coaches.

This was truly a special group of individuals that became a team, pulling in the same direction for a common goal.  I will always remember these group of boys and wish them all the success where ever they play next season.

WE COULD'T BE PROUDER OF THESE YOUNG MEN!!!

Thank you!

The Coaching Staff



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