(by team reporter Albert Ross)
The EJ’s Bantam Husky AEs have ended the hockey
season with another tournament championship! The Dogs were down in Niagara Wine Country
competing in the 9th Annual Lincoln Memorial Tournament with 5 other
teams and went undefeated in 4 games to take home the big prize.
Game one on March 27 saw the Huskies facing off against the host Lincoln Blades in what was deadlocked action through two frames. The cycling plays finally wore down their opponent and three quick succession goals in the latter half of the third sealed the win. Nic Egli found the net first unassisted followed by Jackson Gerber getting help from Alex Kyle and Emmet Latyn. Sammy Miller tallied the finisher with the assist going to Danny O’Connell. Zack Robinson had an easy tenure in net given that his team was playing so well out front. Nonetheless, he delivered the 3 – 0 shutout that the team built on the following day.
The Prince Edward County Kings were next to experience the Husky game plan and were on their heels for two frames as a result. Carter Schwartzentruber was backstopping the Dogs and faced only 2 shots before the third. That changed when the Kings went to the power play but Schwartzentruber was up to the challenge. Turning aside three credible scoring chances, his team rebounded when even strength returned. It was déjà vu as the Dogs pounded in three successive goals with Gerber getting things started while Egli rode shotgun. Miller was up next making good on a pad rebound with Josh Potts and O’Connell gathering the assists. Play had hardly resumed when Potts plugged in the third point with Miller, and Ertel assisting. The reeling Kings never recovered and the Huskies took the second 3 – 0 shutout that earned them a bye to the semi-finals set to go on Sunday afternoon.
The Grimsby Peach Kings proved to be a tougher customer and very nearly opened the scoring on a breakaway chance late in the first frame. Robinson stymied the effort allowing his team to get their game on going into the second. The opener came early when Matt Sommerville moved the puck up ice to Tyson Wagler who was battling hard along the boards. His centering pass was picked up by Jacob Ertel and delivered to the top shelf of the net. The constant Husky pressure in the offensive zone continued to pay the bills when Danny Farrish’s point shot beat the goalie after deflecting off a Grimsby defender. Mason Wagner and Ertel get the helpers on the play that set the stage for the next Husky goal. This time, Wyatt Rempel’s feed to Gerber and his subsequent centering pass to Wagner did the damage. Wagner made no mistake and made it a 3-goal game. The Dogs looked to be on track for another shutout but two back-to-back penalties meant the penalty-killers had their hands full. Dale Jurica and Owen Ross were doing sterling service and were instrumental in fighting off the first penalty but the opposition would not be denied. Registering their one and only point, the Huskies denied further attempts and pocketed the 3 – 1 win that propelled them to the finals late that same afternoon.
The South Muskoka Bears played a very physical game that the Dogs were willing to match. After a scoreless first frame the Huskies found themselves in unfamiliar territory. The Bears bagged back-to-back goals, one a screened point shot and the other on a power-play that sobered the Husky bench. Both sides were taking penalties and it looked like the Huskies would be scoreless going into the third but a late break changed that. With 17 seconds left, Egli’s backhand from the slot found the mark with Gerber taking the assist. The rejuvenated Huskies evened the score early in the third during 4 on 4 action. O’Connell found the sweet spot with Miller playing set-up man. The Huskies redoubled their efforts and found the mark again when even strength had returned. Miller and Ertel were again putting rubber to the net but it would be Potts rummaging for loose pucks in front that secured the go-ahead goal. The physical play continued but the Bears were unable to defeat Schwartzentruber as the clock wound down. The Bears pulled their goalie to get an extra attacker but the Huskies would not be denied. It was a sweet come-from-behind 3 – 2 win that crowned them tournament champions. This capped off an impressive and memorable season that saw the team finish first in the Tri-County Bantam Russell Division, win gold at the St. Marys and Lincoln Tournaments in addition to being Silver Stick and OMHA Finalists.