PEEWEE REP WIN FINALS AT YCW
THEY WON!!!!!
The Rep Sailors faced off against the Tillsonburg team once again in the Young Canada Week semifinal Monday morning. The first period saw plenty of action in Tillsonburg territory, but the Sailors weren't able to cash one in until 1:36, when Chase Kulich passed up to Ian Simpson who popped it in for a 1-0 Goderich lead. There was no scoring in the second period despite an abundance of opportunities for the Sailors. Both Sailor Branden Bean and the Tillsonburg goalie were impressive in their respective creases. In the third period Tillsonburg answered back with a goal of their own at 7:40 to tie things up. The Sailors were hungry for the win, though, and at 6:12 Jarred Bakker assisted Kulich on the game winning goal, which put them up 2-1. Superb back checking helped the Goderich team fend off six attackers as Tillsonburg pulled their goalie for the last two minutes. On to the finals!
At 6:00 the same evening, the Pee Wee Rep Sailors met their "arch" rivals, the Listowel Cyclones, in the gold medal game. With netminder Jordan Johnson between the pipes and the knowledge that victory was within their grasp, the Sailors put their hearts on the ice in a heart-pounding, action-packed match that had the fans on their feet. Listowel, always a superb passing team, drew first blood, scoring with 52.4 seconds left in the first period. Then during an unfortunate Goderich penalty, the Cyclones capitalized on the power play and put themselves up 2-0 by the end of the first period. The second period saw the Sailors on their heels but holding their own, with Johnson making save after incredible save. Our Pee Wees showed tenacity and the depth of their desire to win in the third period as they went on the attack time and time again. At 13:45 Kyle Langlois passed the puck over to Steve De Jager who found the hole and closed the gap to 2-1. Many opportunities later, Burbine and Kyle Langlois once again directed the puck over to De Jager who scored the tying goal at 2:25. The crowd was on its feet, applauding the backbone and perseverance of this team. With an untimely penalty at 1:29 left in the third, the Sailors had to show grit and determination as they successfully killed it off, heading into overtime. The fans in the stands were cheering on encouragement as the Goderich team revved it up even further. And as Kody Langlois received the pass from De Jager and tucked it in over the shoulder of the Listowel goalie, the YMCA erupted in joy and triumph. This victory was a result of an awesome coaching and training staff, and a team full of spirit and spunk from the get-go. They were grinning from ear to ear and their shouts of triumph could be heard around the town as they toured the square on the firetruck! Congratulations to head coach, Tom Bean, assistant coach Shawn Johnson, and trainer Jerry Nurse on a terrific end to a wonderful season for these Pee Wee boys.
