19-20 Minor Bantam | Jan 20, 2020 | Kevin Thompson | 1772 views
International Silver Stick Champions!!
Having won the Glenn Bellerby Memorial Tournament in Barrie the week prior, the TNR Doors Barrie Colts Minor Bantam AA team felt confident and optimistic as they prepared for the International Silverstick Finals in Newmarket.
Their opening game on Thursday evening vs their league rival Newmarket Redmen, was a good reminder that there would be no easy games in their quest to follow up their preliminary tournament win (October in Whitby), with a coveted 'Green Hat'. Trailing 2-1 late in the third, the boys finally overcame an exceptional goal tending effort by Newmarket and potted 2 quick goals to disappoint the Redmen in the final minutes in their home rink, winning 3-2!
The early game Friday morning saw the Colts in a re-match of the Championship game from the week earlier. A timely empty net goal by a well rested and motivated Toronto Shamrock team, brought the Colts' 12 game winning streak to an end with a 3-1 loss. In spite of the loss the Colts returned to the rink to win their next 2 must-win preliminary round games over the Halton Hills Thunder (3-1) and the Markham Islanders (3-1).
This earned them 2nd place in their pool and set up another rematch between them and rival Gloucester Rangers, who had narrowly beaten the Colts in the finals of the first tournament of the year (in the Rangers' home rink). The Colts opened up a big lead in this game only to see Gloucester relentlessly chip away until only a single goal separated the teams. Barrie held on for a 6-5 win and a place in the Championship game vs the Toronto Eagles, who had narrowly beaten the Shamrocks 1-0, in the other semi-final game.
Once again the Barrie team played their best hockey in the final, where a decisive 3-0 victory capped off the weekend with their 3rd tournament win! In total the team played the maximum number of tournament games possible this season at 29 with 2 second place finishes and 3 Championships!
The coaches are very proud of how the boys persevered in the face of strong competition, remained positive throughout the weekend and supported each other through their journey to bring a Silver Stick Final Championship back to Barrie! A special thanks goes out to the AP players who supported a depleted bench with solid play and Congratulations to the entire team on their accomplishment!