Novice LL Semi Final Deciding Game
Submitted By lperdue on Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Scotiabank LL Novices Team #4 won the third and deciding game against the SS Team #1 by a 3 to 2 score Friday night at The Plex.
They opened the scoring late in the first period on an unassisted goal by lucky 13, Colby Ritchie. Both teams played extremely well defensively with Riley Funston carrying the workload for Team #1 who also contributed to her team's offense with a goal and an assist. But the Scotiabank's defencemen Josh Johnston, Blake Shields and Jack Evans, Hunter Barnard battled hard in their end all game and executed their roles very effectively. Goalie Ayden Young brought his A-game and was totally focused. Birthday Boy, Desmond Gouin scored mid-way into the third period to take a 2 - 0 lead.(thanks for the cupcakes Nicole). But with 2 minutes to go, Tm #1 scored from a scramble to make it an exciting finish. Scotiabank were successful in containing the ever-threatening Jerid Meyer but fighting for their lives, the equally dangerous Riley Funston pulled the trigger with 40 seconds remaining to tie it up. The ensuing faceoff was won and with the clock ticking down Austin Belanger set up Colby Ritchie who deposited the puck behind Team #1's goalie with 16 seconds to go for a dramatic victory. Desmond Gouin requested and was granted a time-out and Coach Chris talked to his team and calmly reminded them what each player needed to do to hold onto the lead. The rewarding part for the coaching staff was how the team did not fall apart after giving up those two late goals. They stuck to the game plan and came away with victory. As stated on numerous occasions, Scotiabank relies on total team contribution and not individual performances but in this game both were highlighted. Hunter Barnard had a standout night on defence, our Tykes Spencer Sutter-Lammie was flying and Kaya Hall who had participated in Hall's Hockey School all week still found the energy to play hard on the puck. Desmond Gouin continued with his offensive/defensive prowess. After registering a 1 - 0 shutout in the previous game, Reed Stauffer showed his versatility, playing centre winning every faceoff while displaying wizardry with his good hands throughout the game. Jack Evans let it be known that he is aware what it takes to win and is ready to play at the next level. The determination of Goalie Ayden Young who just returned from basking in the sun for ten days to back-stop the decisive win was fantastic and was justly presented with the game's Digger Award. Scotiabank have now advanced to the WOAA Novice LL WHITE DIVISION final 2/3 series. Schedule TBA. Congratulations go out to all our Saugeen Shores Novices from our four LL teams who participated in the Little NHL tournament in Sudbury over the school break. They made it to the “A” Finals before losing to a strong team from Brantford. Players from the Scotiabank team were Colby Ritchie, Teena Ritchie, Drew Besito, and brothers Eric and Josh Johnson. Good Show
