Jan 30, 2010 | rroote | 922 views
Saugeen Shores Midget A/E mStorm Earn Top 4 Ranking at International SilverStick
The Legaut's Independent Midget A/E participated in the International Silver Stick Hockey tournament from January 7-9th in St Catherines and represented Saugeen Shores with distinction against 15 other teams from Canada and the United States of America.
The Storm lost their first match, tied their next 2, won game 4 and were eliminated in a heart-breaking overtime in the semi-final championship game by a score 2-1.
In game 1, played on January 7th, the Storm dropped a 3-0 loss to the Georgetown Raiders, despite great goaltending from Brody Farrish and a strong team effort. Both teams displayed great effort and strong attack.
The Storm then faced the Garden City Stars from Indiana, USA and squeaked out 3-3 draw in a come from behind 2 goal deficit that showed great determination and a never give up attitude. Indiana took the lead in the 1st period and added to their lead at the 9:23 mark of the second. The Storm countered to break the shut-out and cut the lead to 1 on a goal by Jacob Roote on a setup from Cody Coulson and Zach Walker at the 5:23 mark of the period. Indiana increased their lead to 2 at the 12:42 mark of the 3rd. Goaltender Alex Wunderlich kept the Storm in the game and his teammates continued to force the play and with only 1:44 left on the clock, Russ MacMillan banged one home for the storm on a pass from Sam Vecchies to cut the lead to just one goal. With the momentum now behind them, the Storm continued to press and Zach walker notched the tying goal with just 42:7 seconds left to earn the tie in a game that was truly a character and confidence builder... great team effort Storm.
Game 3 was for the early risers as the Storm hit the ice against the Hyland Hill Jaguars from Colorado, USA at 7:15 am. Sam Vecchies gave the Storm the lead on a setup from Darren Kimewon and Zach Walker at just over 2 minutes into the game. Colorado tied it up at the 5:25 mark and the period finished in a draw. The Storm took the lead once again less than one minute into the 2nd period as Cody Charlebois fired one home on a setup from Dalton Lewis and Jacob Roote. The Jaguars responded at the 3:44 mark to once again knot the contest, and then with 1:01 left in the period took the lead. The Storm regrouped and were rewarded for their efforts at the 11:17 mark as Russ MacMillan fired home the tying goal. Try as they might neither team could score and the game ended in a tie. Kudos to Storm goaltender Brody Farrish for another strong display of goal-keeping.
Game 4 was played later in the day against local adversary, the Collingwood Blackhawks, who the Storm had defeated at the regional Silver Stick to earn the birth at this tournament. The Storm opened the scoring at the 6:30 mark of the first period as Sam Vecchies dented the twine on a pass from Zach Walker. Collingwood responded less than 2 minutes later to tie the contest, then notched another at the 1:57 mark and their 3rd with just 55:8 seconds left in the period. To their credit the Storm continued to push and after much effort, Sam Vecchies fired home his 2nd of the contest (unassisted) with only 3:27 left to play in the period to cut the lead to 1. Buoyed by the tally near the end of the 2nd the Storm tallied the tying goal just :49 seconds into the 3rd period as Dan Kimewon blasted a shot off the post and into the back of the net. At the 11:39 mark Sam Vecchies notched the hat-trick on a setup from Russ MacMillan and Zach Walker to earn the win, behind a strong team effort and excellent goaltending by Alex Wunderlich.
Game 5, the semi-final championship found the Storm facing off against the New Hamburg Huskies. Both teams came out flying and put on a fine display of hockey from the drop of the first puck. The Huskies struck first at the 9:39 mark of the 1st period and after a see-saw exchange on every shift, the Storm notched the tying marker with 1:44 left to play in the period as Jacob Roote fired home a wrist shot on a pass from Cass Walden and Tyler D'Angelo. For the next 2 full periods, each team gave it their all on every shift only to be stymied by excellent goaltending (Brody Farrish for the Storm) and at the end of regulation play, the score remained tied at 1 apiece and forced sudden death overtime. The teams hit the ice, 4 on 4 and exchanged numerous scoring opportunities with the Huskies scoring what can only be considered a questionable goal to win the game and eliminate the Storm from the tournament.
The Storm players are to be congratulated for a valiant effort and a fine display in earning a top 4 ranking in a very competitive tournament. Each player rose to the occasion and goaltenders Brody farrish and Alex Wunderlich were superb in goal. Way to go Storm.... Special thanks to Lone Wolf Drive Thru (Saugeen First Nation) who sposored the tournament entry fee on behalf of the team.