PeeWees Win B Championship in MINTO
Submitted By Dan Bailey on Mon 01 24, 11
Three hard hitting, fast paced games, with a ton of FOCUS and EFFORT earned the Canadian Tire PeeWees the much deserved title of B Division Champions in the Minto tournament this past weekend.
Game one of the tourney would see Hanover face off against League rivals, Milverton. In 2 previous outings, Hanover and Milverton exchanged body checks and goals, resulting in a win and tie for the Falcons. This matchup would prove the same.
Outshooting the Milverton squad 26-12, the Hanover Falcons clearly dominated the play, and with their physical efforts, saw several of their opponents feeling the pressure. After 4 called back goals, the eager, yet deflated Hanover crew, faced a 5-1 loss, in an unusual outcome of a quality game.
The second match of the day brought the host Minto Mad Dogs to the ice. Prior to playing, players from both squads were talking, and the Minto squad made it clear that they preferred not to face off against the mighty Falcons.
As with both previous meetings this season, the Falcons were able to physically dominate the game, and through a very impressive work ethic and level of Focus, were able to eliminate Minto, by winning a close 1-0 game. Dustin Leask picked up the lone marker.
Game three brought the Seaforth Stars to the pad; a team that Hanover had not yet faced this season. In their earlier matches of the day, Seaforth appeared to be a solid club that moved the puck well, but didn't play quite as physical as the Falcons, and didn't quite have the same goaltending element.
Hanover was able to take charge on the ice, as the first goal came just 1:42 into the first period, when Kyler Knoll netted one, assisted by Hunter Sargeant. Goal two came shortly after the Falcons dropped their fury of body checks and back checking on the Stars, when Quintin Graydon finished on a centering attempt and rebound. An amazing effort, and well deserved goal.
Period two saw the Falcons on a 2 man powerplay, resulting in a quick 3-0 goal, however, the officials deemed that there was a Hanover player in the crease, negating the goal. Seaforth managed to kill the penalties, and end the period neutral, without either team getting credit for a goal.
Period three of the Championship game was fast paced, however, Seaforth was hungry, and not ready to give up, as they netted their only pp opportunity of the frame, bringing the score to 2-1, with 13:31 remaining.
Hanover talks and strong play focussed the team on achieving another marker, and their efforts were rewarded, when Dustin Leask netted the 3rd goal for the Falcons, at 6:16. Seaforth made the match interesting, by burying one at 4:19, again bringing the game within one.
Seaforth used their time out as they tried to muster up some magic. The Falcons' players were reminded that the Seaforth net would be empty before long, and were instructed that defending a goal at such time, was far more important than opening up risk in going for another.... A 2-1-2 system was put into place, and Hanover controlled the remainder of the game, earning the B Championship.
Hanover is host to the Drayton Defenders on Wednesday, where they look to even their score by sending Drayton home with a loss!