Midget Reps Win Championship in Double OT!
It was a busy weekend in Aylmer with 4 of the 5 Mount Forest Rep Rams teams playing in the annual Aylmer Flames Tournament. With it being a points earned per period system, each team had to want to win every period to get chance for the championship.
Midget Reps started the tournament off with a game Friday at 1:00 v. Elmvale. First goal from
Alex Bridgwater, assisted by Liam Francis and
Ian Bridgwater. Second goal from Alex Bridgwater, assisted by
Myles Holliday. Third goal by
Liam Francis (unassisted). The team worked well together to pull out the 3-2 win.
Next up: game 2 v. Arran Elderslie at 9:00. After a hearty supper of gourmet sandwiches (right boys?) the players started the game off with aggressive fore checking, which lead to the opposing team losing a player from the game in the first period from frustration. First goal from Ian Bridgwater, assisted by Alex Bridgwater. Second goal by
Avery Bilton, assisted by
Justin Byers. Third goal by
Steven Stewart, assisted by Justin Byers. Fourth goal by Alex Bridgwater (unassisted). The Rams kept up the pressure,
Ryan Bender saved the penatly shot and that made for a 4-2 win.
It was time to relax and regroup for game three, Saturday at 2:30 v. Dundalk. The coaches knew how many points were needed to claim first in the pool and kept the boys on task. A few nervous moments but they persevered and came out tied 0-0. Rams had enough points and were headed to the championship final on Sunday!
Another night of relaxation, some salad shuffling euchre and good times meant the boys (and parents) were ready to go. It was a long wait until the 7:30 game, but it was worth it! The boys were pitted against the Twin Centre Stars. The lines were all changed up due to missing players and the first seven minutes had the statement “thank goodness Brad showed up” repeated a few times in the stands, as we had a hard time clearing our zone and our goalie,
Brad Cormack was showcasing some acrobatics. The boys were ready and willing to pay Brad back for his effort and they started wearing the other team down with sheer determination and smart, clean hockey. Strong play by the defence (
Peter MacLean,
Justin Crawford,
Dylan Logan, Myles Holliday) and good hustle from the forwards (Steven Stewart,
Jamie Ferrier, Jake Bulley, Justin Byers, Kevin O'Neill, Liam Francis, Avery Bilton,
Gavin MacVicar).
Period 3 ended with no score and we were headed to 4 on 4 OT. Great work by both teams and more stellar goaltending meant it was now 3 on 3 in double OT. The parents were sweating in the stands, as the pressure mounted and then, there it was. 48 seconds into double OT and
Kevin O’Neill (assisted by
Jake Bulley) backhands a beauty into the net. The bench and stands erupted! RAMS WIN 1-0! Way to go boys! Brad Cormack was awarded MVP for the game.
What a way to end the season and for some of the players, their Minor Hockey playing days. Thanks for the great season boys – we’re very proud of you!
Coaching Staff:
Brent Troyer,
Rich MacVicar,
Shawn Fairbrother,
Lee Shaefer. Injured Players:
Burke Cameron,
Scott Donald
. 