Jan 08, 2012 | jgerber | 842 views
Strong Showing at International Silver Stick Jan. 5-8
The local PeeWee AE Huskies struck a blow for small-town Ontario as the were only AE Group 3/4/5 team to go 4-0 in pool play, matching the efforts of large urban Group 1/2 centres like Barrie and Oakville in other pools. For the full story click to see the write-up from our faithful team reporter Albert Ross.
The Re/Max Twin City Peewee AE Huskies were in the Niagara Region on Jan 5 – 8 in their quest for another big prize. The lads were hoping to secure another banner for the Doghouse as they brought their game to the 13th Annual International Silver Stick tournament. They knew it wouldn’t be easy given that 20 teams from Ontario and the USA were all after that same prize. The Huskies faced the Chicago Bruins in game one of the round robin series and were first to score within minutes of the puck drop. Emmet Latyn drilled in the first goal getting help from Ethan Field and Nathan Gerber. The Bruins tried to answer but Tyler Kumpf kept the door shut through 2 frames. Evan Denison added his own upstairs marker late in the second with Dawson Hussey riding shotgun. The Bruins tallied on a power-play late in the third and pulled their goalie as time wound down. The effort back-fired as Dension potted the empty-netter on a feed from Jack Normandeau to seal the 3 – 1 win. Confidence was high as the Dogs squared off against the Ennismore Eagles later that day for the 2nd round robin game. It was scoreless after one only because of some sharp work between the pipes by Jackson Holmes. The Huskies found their footing in the second as Latyn once again tallied first with Field and Hussey getting the helpers. The Bruins fought back in the third and might have scored on a breakaway if it were not for Holmes’ cat-like reflexes. The Dogs turned it around as Dale Jurica fed the puck to Nathan Gerber who dangled up ice and scored on the backhand. The insurance goal was needed as the Eagles capitalized on a power-play and put on the pressure as the frame wound down. The Pack hung on for the 2 – 1 win and prepared to face the Whitby Wilcats early the next morning. This was a tough match and the opposition scored first early in the opening frame. The Huskies battled back and tied it up late in the same period with Nathan Gerber leading the charge getting help from Alex Smirnow and Normandeau. It was rough and fast as both teams incurred penalties but it was the Huskies that came out on top. Trent Smith secured what would be the go-ahead goal with Denison and Jackson Gerber pocketing the assists. The action was fever-pitch in the third as the Huskies killed off 3 penalties. Owen Ross and Bailey Zehr were doing sterling service keeping the attackers at bay. Kumpf was solid throughout and was instrumental in helping secure the 2 – 1 win. Riding high, the Pack faced the Bay County Blizzard later that morning to finish the round robin part of the tournament. The Dogs drew first blood halfway through the opening frame when Field plugged it in with Zehr getting the assist. The Blizzard answered but the Huskies upped the ante with seconds remaining. Nathan Gerber tallied getting help from line mate Normandeau. The opposition responded early in the second but it would be their last gasp as the Dogs went on an all-out offensive drive. Jackson Gerber, Normandeau and Hussey would each bag 2 goals, with Denison and Zehr adding their own markers. Assisting on the plays were: Nathan Gerber with three, Ross, Normandeau and Denison each with two, Smirnow, Latyn and Smith with singles. The 10 – 2 win firmly established the Huskies as the number one team in their pool which meant they would face the number 2 team in pool A in the first quarter final elimination round on Saturday morning. The North Carolina Junior Checkers proved to be one tough customer as the Huskies soon found out. But the Huskies are equally tough as exemplified by Tim Geiger. After taking a bad hit in the previous game, he shook it off to take up his position on the blue line, defending Kumpf who was back between the pipes. The opposition tallied first as the Dogs struggled to get it in gear. With the Husky defense working flat out and Kumpf’s outstanding efforts in net, the Huskies returned to the offence in the third frame. The pressure almost paid off as Kolton Wagler found himself on a breakaway that came within a whisker of tying the contest. Following Wagler’s example, Nathan Gerber led his own charge and planted the puck onto the tape of Denson’s stick. He made no mistake and blew out the rigging to re-establish the stalemate. A shootout to determine a winner was all but assured as Kumpf made a fantastic glove save on a Junior Checker breakaway in the dying minutes of the period. Coach Jeff Gerber selected Denison, Nathan Gerber and Hussey as his 3 shooters. The opposition got one by Kumpf and with Hussey shooting last, the referee ruled a no goal in a very controversial end to the contest. The 2 – 1 shootout loss meant the Huskies were eliminated from further tournament play but we can all be very proud of their performance characterized by gritty determined team play and a 4 – 1 win/loss record.