Orono U9 Team 3 went to their first ever tournament this past weekend. The kids were so excited to be there and the CCC arena is a fantastic arena with great staff. Day 1 had the leafs going up against the Northumberland Nighthawks Reid team and Napanee Stars team 1.
Game 1 the Leafs pitted their might vs the nighthawks and in a back and forth affair the kids fought on. A solid third period put the leafs on top 6 - 4 for the game. Player of the game went to Brody one of our smallest who stepped up on defense for his strongest game of the year. Game 2 vs the napanee stars saw the leafs play their best defensive game of the year. A 5 - 0, 1 shot shutout for Corbin, where the team played amazing all around. Cooper pulled out player of the game for his tremendous team play on his line.
Day 2 started with the leafs 3rd game vs an old opponent Clarington Coyotes. The leafs had bested them earlier this year 6 -4 at home and now on the road knowing what they knew they went to work. Defenders Carter, Sam, Brody, Bentley and Lochy stood against the storm that was #77 and kept the team in the game. Leafs prevailed 5 - 2 over the coyotes with Player of the game going the Bull Ferdinand (sawyer) who scored his first goal of the season. The semis were next.
Semi Finals vs the Norwood Hornets, they came into the tournament having already been to several. They were a strong team with a good season and wins 7-2, 5-0 and 7-2 in this tournament. The Leafs came out strong scoring the first goal of the game excitement rang but the hornets stung back hard in the second. Tying up the game 1 - 1 but less than a minute later the coaches chosen kid (Nolan), the one he said would score this game pulled out a move and buried the puck to give the leafs the goal right back. But the hornets were not done scoring two goals more in the second and were relentless at keeping the leafs in there zone. Their 9 kids played well like they had been together and trained well. Leafs kept fighting pushing and bending the hornets defense as best they could. With less than 2 minutes remaining the leafs got a power play. They gave it all they had but ended up losing 3 - 2. The kids were exhausted and dismayed but had a blast throughout the tournament. Hornets coach came to the leaf room to commend the leafs on an amazing game, we wished them luck in the finals (which they went on to win).
Players look forward to the next tournament to test their mettle next year. For now onto the rest of the season and our game vs Newcastle today! We are coming home hot and ready to rock!
