MINTO BANTAM REP WINS A-SIDE CHAMPIONSHIP - Minto Minor Hockey Association

Game one saw Minto matched against Arthur. Forty five seconds into the first period,

Minto received a wake up call when Arthur shot one between the pipes. The first period

ended with Todd Donkersgoed tieing the game 1-1. Late in the second period Keaton

Ross and Greg Allen each scored to take a 3-1 lead. Arthur managed to squeak another

one in only to be matched by a goal from Cole Sloan Turnbull. Less than two minutes

remaining Minto received a penalty to give Arthur a man advantage for the remainder of

the game. Less than a minute left and Arthur pulled their goalie, allowing six aggressive

players to attack our zone. Determined to get a goal and a goal they received with only

17 seconds left on the clock. What a long 17 seconds, with bodies dropping to the ice to

block shots and the goalie refusing to let Arthur in the game ended with Minto on top 4-3

Earning assists were Brendon Aitken (2), Leigh Mercy (2), Ross (2), Turnbull and Allen.

Minto's second game was against West Lome. Todd Reiner put Minto on the clock early

in the first. Allen would match his goal in the second period to start the third with a 2-0

lead. A penalty early in the third would give Minto the power play and Allen took

advantage with his second goal of the game. Minutes later, Aitken popped one in to give

Minto a 4-0 lead. West Lome refusing to give up managed to score a couple goals late

in the third. Minto took the win 4-2 and would advance to the A side Championship

game. Credited with assists were Josh Hoffele (2), Allen (2), Aitken (2), Reiner,

Donkersgoed, Kurtis Shorey and Derrik Riff.

Deja view - - a month earlier Mount Forest and Minto faced off in the A side

Championship game in a tournament in Clifford. Losing the championship game in

Clifford with a score or 2-1, Minto was determined not to see a repeat. Again the score

ended 2-1 this time Minto came out on top when Shorey and Hoffele each shot one in

over the shoulder of the Mount Forest goalie. Nick MacDougall was stellar in net and the

whole team played with determination and heart.

Lara Charlebois received many compliments on how well the tournament ran and we

appreciate all the time and effort she spent organizing and running such a successful

tournament. A special thank you goes out to all the parents who helped throughout the

day in the kitchen, at the raffle table, the admission table or in the time box. We

appreciate Tammy Reiner being in charge of the kitchen and Dia Underwood for

organizing the 50/50. A huge thank you to the arena staff for their assistance throughout

the day and to all the parents who obtained raffle prizes and/or ice time sponsors, A huge

thank you to ice time sponsors; Jeff and Susan Small, Leslie Motors, Keith Gray, UMA

Financial, Leonards General Store, Don Grein Construction and Palmerston Elevators.