Bantam Reps Win the Motown Cup!, News, Bantam Rep, U15, 2010-2011 (Goderich Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2010-2011 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Mar 28, 2011 | ldejager | 1983 views
Bantam Reps Win the Motown Cup!
       The Bantam Reps ended their season on a high note, when they traveled to Detroit, Michigan, and won gold at the Motown Cup tournament.

       The Motown Cup Tournament is a large tournament that annually gathers teams from across the United States and Southern Ontario to compete at all levels for the coveted "Motown Cup". In the Bantam A Division, our own Goderich Rep Sailors were the victors.
       The first game was at 9 pm on Friday night, March 25, at the Ice Box Arena. After a long day of traveling and anticipation, the Sailors were no worse for wear as they played a tight and offensive game against the hometown team of Belle Tire from Taylor, Michigan. Goalie Jordan Johnston kept things in check at his end while the Sailors went to work against the opposition.  Shortly into the first period, DJ Stevenson popped the first goal of the weekend into the net, making it 1-0 Goderich. Mykal Hodges added to that score on a nice pass from Luke Fraser, making it 2-0.  Just a couple of minutes later, Hodges once again scored for the Sailors as he intercepted a pass and netted his second goal, 3-0 Sailors. Defenseman Tyler Moss had a great night taking away multiple scoring opportunities from the Belle Tire team, and also added to scoreboard when he skated around all of the opposing players to flip one in the net, making it 4-0. The Goderich team was able to keep Belle Tire scoreless in the 2nd period, while adding two more of their own to the tally: a beautiful slap shot by Eric MacPhee and a chipper that popped over the goalie's shoulder by Steve De Jager, 6-0 Goderich. The third period saw the Sailors keeping Belle Tire at bay until the last four minutes of the period when they squeaked one in, foiling the shut out, for a final score of 6-1.
       The next afternoon the Sailors faced off against the Birmingham Rangers at the Southgate Arena in a scoreless game that was fast-paced and evenly matched. The Sailors had a few opportunities, but no luck getting past the Rangers' goalie. Netminder Brady Bowman was able to fend off the Ranger attacks at his end, including a phenomenal save on a breakaway at the end of the second period. The Sailors left the rink, disappointed that they were unable to score a goal, but knowing that a tie was better than a loss.
       Sunday morning, after a good sleep and a hearty breakfast, the team was raring to go. They met the Burford Coyotes back in the Ice Box in a rough game that saw the Sailors step up the pace and dominate offensively. The first period started off with a bang as Steve De Jager scored a lovely goal on a breakaway just over a minute into the game.  That was followed quickly by a goal by Evan Guest who made the score 2-0 Sailors. Then DJ Stevenson stick handled his way to another Goderich goal, making it 3-0 heading into the second period. Goalie Jordan Johnston was solid in net throughout the game, fending off shots and making great glove saves. The hits intensified as the game progressed, but Mykal Hodges was able to pop one in at 7:45 of the second, 4-0 Sailors. Less than a minute later, the Coyotes answered back as they slid one in, closing the gap 4-1. The Goderich parents watched nervously as Sailor Chad Kernighan was flattened at centre ice and lay motionless for many seconds.  There was a collective sigh of relief as he was able, with assistance, to be led off the ice and into the dressing room.  In the third period, Hodges netted his second goal of the game and Taylor Helesic scored the empty netter in the last two minutes of the game, to make it a 6-1 final score.  The Sailors made it to the finals!
       The quest for the cup began Sunday afternoon at 3:40, when the top-ranked Goderich Sailors played the second place team, the Birmingham Rangers, once again. Brady Bowman was in net and ready to defend it at all costs. Determined to play their hardest and score on this team, the Sailors came out strong both offensively and defensively. Less than a minute into the game, Stevenson got things going for his team as he scored on passes from Tyler Moss and Brandon Johnston, 1-0 Sailors. There were some great opportunities for both sides, but it was the Sailors that capitalized next, when Luke Fraser went end to end with the puck and tucked it nicely in the net at 3:35, making it 2-0 Goderich. Before the end of the period, the Rangers scored what was to be their only goal of the game, 2-1 Goderich heading into the second.  Bowman was the star of the show in the second period as he fought off shot after shot, just seconds apart. His golden glove saved the day many a time that period. Fraser added another goal to the Goderich scoreboard at 8:31 of the second, making it 3-1. With just seconds remaining in the second, De Jager passed the puck to Brandon Johnston who scored from an almost impossible angle, 4-1 Sailors.  Then, with only 10 seconds left, Eric MacPhee got the puck up to Taylor Helesic who made no mistake, 5-1 Sailors heading into the third.  There were lots of Ranger opportunities in the third, but every one of them was foiled by the solid Goderich defense.  The last Goderich goal was scored unassisted by De Jager at 4:43 of the third period, making it a 6-1 victory.  The boys were elated as they gathered on the ice for the presentation of the medals and the coveted Motown Cup. Brady Bowman was cheered on by the crowds as he received the MVP award and the boys ended their season together celebrating this much deserved victory.  Many thanks to head coach Mike Hodges, assistant coaches Lloyd Lockie and Rich MacPhee, trainer Dean Daer, manager Paul Helesic, and staff members Joanne Johnston and Kim Coughlin for a wonderful season of hockey!
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