Nov 26, 2014 | Kevin Rice | 1437 views
Big Weekend for Bantam Reps in WEST GREY TOURNAMENT
The determined and big hearted Boys Bantam Rep Rams travelled to Ayton on Sunday, November 23rd for the West Grey Warrior Tournament.
Their first game was against the Dundalk Storm at 8am.The Rams were hungry for a win and redemption from October when they fought hard but lost 2-1 in Dundalk. Spirits were high with the kids, coaches Bob Radojcin, Rob Bye and Manager Jaime Radojcin.The Rams were playing with just 3 defensemen, 5 forwards and their goalie as they were missing many of their team mates that day.The energy in Ayton was electric as the 2 teams took the ice. It was end to end action with the equally matched teams. Goalie Hunter Radojcin was on point and the rest of the Rams seemed to feed off his momentum. Eli McCook had a precision pass right to Ryan Pacheco where Ryan finished it off with the finesse we know he has, putting the Rams on the scoreboard first. Dundalk took advantage of some powerplay opportunities and scored 2 quick ones putting the Rams behind 2-1 at the end of the second period. Defensemen Parker Snyders, Sam Bye and Liam McArthur were working hard every single shift and Hunter was playing amazing. Forwards Ryan Pacheco, Garrason Lewis, Tanner Gordon, Eli McCook & Keenan McArthur were skating, passing and challenging for the puck. Every Ram was digging deep and wanted redemption!! The boys looked tired and the outcome looked bleak as the clock was winding down in the third. The Rams were still behind as Liam McArthur found another gear where he broke through everybody and buried the puck in the back of the Dundalk net unassisted. The arena erupted in cheers from the Mount Forest parents, coaches and other teams who were watching the game. The 5 minute overtime ended with a tie, so it was going to a shoot out. Hunter shines in shoot outs and our Bantam Rep boys can stick handle and score... They just haven't had an opportunity yet this season to try it. Dundalk took their first shot on Hunter where he came out of his net with confidence and intimidation and read the shooter perfectly... Denying the goal. Liam was first up for the Rams, he skated it up and took a neat little wrist snap shot to the five hole where the puck wobbled into the net. Dundalk shot again and their player shot low corner... Hunter had him beat with his stick side but the puck took a funny bounce and was up just enough to find the back of the net. Parker and Ryan both shot next for the Rams where the Dundalk goalie stood his ground denying them of their valiant efforts. Hunter did his part at the other end denying the Dundalk shooters too. Keenan was the next shooter up for Mount Forest. He skated up side to side and deaked the goalie to the right side of the net and then neatly back handed the puck into the top left corner... The arena erupted again!!! Hunter was still in his zone and denied Dundalk. Sam was last shooter for the Rams and he had a great shot but was denied. Hunter stopped the last Dundalk shooter... The kids had no idea they had just won their first game of the season. When they finally realized it was like the Rams had won an Olympic gold medal. This small but mighty team has had a brutal season of losses thus far and this 3-2 victory was wonderful to experience. These coaches and kids are upbeat in spite of the defeats, dedicated and a pleasure to watch. I would like to thank Bob, Rob and Jaime for stepping up and supporting our kids in playing a sport they love!! I am proud to be a Bantam Rep parent.Yours in hockey,Erin McArthur