The Mainstreet Atom Rep Team played their home tournament this weekend. The tournament was a great opportunity for the team to take a break from regular season play and have some fun. The tournament had five teams in the Atom Division included two regular season division rivals: Blyth/ Brussels and Mitchell. The Minto Mad Dogs and the Georgian Shores Lighting rounded out the Division. The boys played five games over three days and improved with each game.
The Sailors first game was Friday night against Blyth/Brussels. The Crusaders came into the tournament with a 4-2-0 record in WOAA Division 1 league play. The final score was 9 – 0 for the Blyth/Brussels Crusaders. The Sailors allowed an early goal from which they could not recover. At the end of the first period they trailed 5 – 0. They continued to play hard allowing two goals in the second period and killing off a penalty. In the final frame they also allowed only two goals, but could not generate any offence.
The first game on Saturday was against the Minto Mad Dogs. The Mad Dogs came into the tournament with a 3-2-0 record in WOAA Division 2 league play and having won their first game 7 – 3 Friday night over the Mitchell Meteors. The final score of the game was 8 – 1 for the Mad Dogs. The Sailors came out strong in the first period and did not allow the Mad Dogs to score in the opening period. However, they also could not generate any offence. After a scoreless first period, the Mad Dogs scored 4 unanswered goals including two powerplay goals to lead 4 – 0. Late in the period Gryffin scored an unassisted goal to cut the deficit to 4 – 1. Minto scored four more in the third period including a powerplay goal.
The second game on Saturday was against the Mitchell Meteors. The Meteors came into the tournament with a 5-1-0 record in WOAA Division 1 league play including a over the Sailors and 1-2-0 tournament record. The final score was 5 – 1 for the Meteors. With Wesley and A.J. unavailable to play, Cameron filled in on defence. The Sailors trailed 2 – 0 after the first period. The Meteors added three goals to their lead before the Sailors replied with a goal by Iain, assisted by Gryffin. The second period ended with the score 5 – 1. The teams traded chances in the third period, but held each other off the scoreboard.
The final round robin game of the tournament for the Sailors was Sunday morning against the Georgian Shores Lighting. The Lighting came into the tournament with a 3-2-1 regular season record in the Georgian Bay Minor Hockey League and 0-3 record in the tournament. The game was the Sailors first win of the year 6 – 1. It was also the first time this season that they scored first, scored more than one goal and only allowed one. It was a complete effort by the Sailors. Five different Sailors scored in the game and even the goalie Kellen contributed to the offence with an assist.
The Sailors opened the scoring just past the midway point in the first period. Aiden scored, assisted by Iain and Justin. As the period was ended Gryffin scored, assisted by Caeleb. The Sailors came into the second period leading 2 – 0 and looking to add to their lead. Justin scored, assisted by Iain and Aiden, before the midway point of the second period. The Sailors also killed off a penalty to Cameron for tripping in the second period.
The Sailors got a powerplay opportunity early in the third with the Lighting player being called for a tripping penalty. Despite several good chances, they were not able to extend their lead. Georgian Shores finally got on the board in the third period cutting the Sailors’ lead to 3 – 1. But less than 30 seconds later, Wesley scored his first goal of the season, assisted by Kellen. Iain added to the lead before the midway point of the period assisted by Wesley and Evan. With less than a minute to play Iain closed out the scoring with an unassisted goal.
With A.J. unavailable to play, Cameron was called up to play. Cam played a good game keeping the forwards to the outside, keeping the puck in the offensive zone and getting the first pass out of the defensive zone quickly. Kellen played a strong game holding the Lighting to one goal.
The Sailors’ playoff round game for third place was against their first opponent of the tournament, Blyth/Brussels. The Sunday afternoon game followed the Novice Rep Sailors winning their playoff game. The final score was 10 – 2 for the Crusaders. The Crusaders had a 2-2-0 tournament record while the Sailors were 1-3-0. The Sailors had a strong third period at scoring two late goals to deny the Crusaders’ goalie his second shutout. The goals were scored by Wesley and Mitchell H.
There are many positives coming from the tournament. Several players contributed to the offence including all the forwards. Goals were scored not only on the breakaway, but also rebounds and from forwards in position around the net. After some difficult outings, the goalies played well. As the tournament progressed, the defence improved as players adjusted to their new positions.
The Minto Mad Dogs won the tournament over the Mitchell Meteors. Thanks to all the parents who volunteered their time over the weekend as scorekeepers. Amanda, Simon, Tim, Jason and Joe did a great job and made it fun with the warm up music and announcing the goals.
Next up for the Sailors is another busy weekend with three games in four days. First up is a home game against the Seaforth Stars (0-2-0) on Thursday night at the Maitland Recreation Centre. On the weekend, the Sailors play a Saturday home game against Mitchell (5-1-0) before Sunday’s road game against the Kincardine Kinucks (5-0-1). Good Luck Sailors!