The Ralph’s Pee Wee A/E team travelled through terrible driving conditions, to play in the Strathroy Minor Hockey Olympics on the weekend.
The Ralph’s Pee Wee A/E team travelled through terrible driving conditions, to play in the Strathroy Minor Hockey Olympics on the weekend. First up for the Storm was the Silver Stick champion team from Dorchester. The Storm came out looking to start the tournament with a win. Aaron Cruchley made many key saves for the Storm in the first period, including stopping 2 breakaways. With one minute to go in the first the Storm found themselves down by 3. Seconds later after getting a nice pass from Justin Lamont, Braden Kelly was able to score stick side to cut the lead to 3-1. Dorchester would score half way through the second to lead 4-1. Kelly answered with his second of the game from in front of the net with Jesse Cannon and Troy Connois assisting. The Storm had several chances to score in the 3rd but just couldn’t find the net and lost 4-2.
In game two against Tecumseh, the Storm got on the board early when Mikyle Romanowich skated end to end and scored a highlight reel goal. Cruchley made another breakaway save to keep the Storm up 1-0 after the first. The Storm produced several scoring chances in the second, but got some bad bounces. With four minutes to go in the second, Tecumseh was able to score after the Storm were unable to clear the puck. Both teams saw several chances in the final frame but neither were able to break the tie. In overtime, Ryan Crosetta won the faceoff and deeked his way into the Tecumseh zone. Crosetta would score glove side to win the game for the Storm.
Early on Saturday the Storm faced off againsted Tillsonburg. Cruchley would make another breakaway save in the game. The Storm produced more great chances early, but found themselves down 2-0 after two periods of play. The Storm pressed hard in the third looking to get on the board. Jake Dawson took a hard shot that rang off the cross bar. The Storm was able to keep possession which led to Cole Farrish scoring, with Pilar and Lamont getting the assists. Seconds later after a rush from center ice, Stephen Pilar scored stick side with Contois and Lamont getting the helpers to mark an unbelieve comeback for the Storm. Overtime would be needed to determine a winner again. Seconds after winning the faceoff, the Storm’s three attackers rushed into the offensive zone. Romanowich passed the puck to Stephen Pilar who fed a wide open Crosetta. Crosetta wasted no time and shot five hole to become an overtime hero for the second game in a row for the Storm.
The Storm would play a very important game against Strathroy, needing a win to advance to the final. Minutes into the game, Dawson went on an end to end rush and found Crosetta parked in front of the net. Crosetta put a flick shot in top corner assisted by Dawson. Cruchley made great saves to keep the Storm up 1-0 after one. Early in the second, Kelly was set up with an amazing pass from Romanowich, but the shot went wide. Seconds, later the same two were on the attack again. Romanowich gave Kelly a pass from the Storm blue line, and Kelly went in on a breakaway. Going to his backhand, Kelly put the puck in top shelf to give Storm a 2-0 lead. Late in the second, Romanowich went in on a two on one that deflected in off of the defender. Up by three goals the Storm played hard to preserve the shutout for Cruchley. The Storm won the game 3-0 to advance to the gold medal game.
The Gold medal game featured a rematch between a determined Saugeen Shores team and an undefeated Dorchester squad. Cruchley made some key saves early to keep the Storm in the game. With three minutes to go in the first Dorchester was able to pot a goal. In the second the Storm were able to kill off two five on three Dorchester power plays. Seconds into the final period Cannon found an open Kelly at the Dorchester blue line. Kelly sped into the Dorchester zone and scored to tie the game. Minutes later Dorchester took advantage of some sloppy plays by the Storm to take a 2-1 lead. Less than a minute later after an end to end rush, Romanowich fed a pass across the crease to Cannon who put the shot under the crossbar to tie the game again. One minute later, Crosetta fed a wide open Romanowich, who scored top shelf to give the Storm a much needed one goal lead. Late in the final frame, while on the power play, Pilar scored in front with Cannon assisting to give the Storm a two goal lead. Dorchester would make it 4-3 with 5 seconds to go in the 3rd, but the Storm prevailed to capture gold.
All players are congratulated for their great effort all weekend. You made our hockey association proud boys. Thanks to the coaching staff of Willy Leblance and Ryan Smith for coming up with great plays for the team all weekend long. The Storm’s next regular season action is Tuesday in Kincardine.