Storm A/E Consolation Runners-Up in Clinton Optimist Tourney Submitted by Ryan Lamont The Saugeen Shores Bantam A/E Bruce County Physiotherapy/Lakeshore Recreation travelled to Clinton to play in their Bantam Optimist Tournament. Game one was on Saturday against Goderich.
With 4 minutes to go in the first, Duncan Simpson looked to put the Storm on the board first when he ripped a slap shot from the point that went off the post. The Storm penalty kill was put to the test in the second period, as the Storm spent half of the second period short handed. The Storm and the Sailors were still scoreless after two periods. The Storm produced some scoring chances in the third, but couldn’t get on the board. With 7 minutes left in the third the Sailors were able to strike first. Seven seconds later, the Storm found themselves down 2-0. Two minutes later, Goderich blew the game wide open with a 3-0 lead. The Storm tried to get something going but were unable to score. With two minutes left in the game, Braden Kelly made a nice pass to Ryan Crosetta in front of the net, who buried a goal low stick side to break the Goderich shutout. The Storm were unable to score again and lost 3-1.
The Storm faced Seaforth in their second game. McGinnis was called on to make more tremendous saves early on in the game. The Storm produced more great scoring chances in the first, but were still scoreless after the first period. Taylor Schihl had a great chance to score after taking a pass from Tanner MacAulay in front early in the second, but was stopped. With 2 minutes to go in the second period, Mack Gallagher made a nice pass to Justin Lamont, who made a pass to Braden Kelly who back handed home a 1-0 lead for the Storm. One minute later, Kelly went on a breakaway and scored low stick side to give the Storm a 2-0 lead. The Storm kept the momentum going early in the final frame. Minutes into the final period, James Besito gave the Storm a commanding 3-0 lead with Lamont and Colton Hall assisting. Not long after, Justin Greig gave the Storm a 4-0 lead with Cole Farrish assisting. Seaforth would break the shutout late, but the Storm held on for a 4-1 victory earning them a spot in the consolation finals on Sunday.
The Storm would play Brussels in the Consolation finals. The Storm had many chances to score early on in the game. McGinnis made some more big saves early in the game. Late in the first, Kelly made a nice stretch pass to Besito who was in the clear. Besito went one on one with the goaltender and was able to score top shelf to give the Storm a 1-0 lead. Less than 1 minute later, Brussels was able to tie the game. Brussels would take the lead early in the Second period. The Storm had great chances to tie up the game, but couldn’t. Then with 58 seconds to go in the second period, Schihl put a shot on net from the corner that deflected off of Greig and through the goaltender to tie up the game after 2 periods. The Storm looked to take the lead in the third, with more amazing chances but didn’t have any luck. With 4 minutes to go in the game, Brussels was able to take the lead again. The Storm pressed hard for the equalizer but couldn’t get any bounces to go their way. With one minute to go in the game Brussels was able to add to their lead. An empty net goal for Brussels would seal the victory, and the Storm were named consolation runners up after a 5-2 loss.
All players are to be congratulated on their efforts in these 3 games.