Novice Rep won E Championship at Baltimore!
This year's season ended with a fun weekend and a win at Baltimore, Ontario's Cross Border Clash tournament from March 26-28th. Minto played teams from Brighton, Peterborough, Bancroft and Lakefield to end up with the E Championship win.
Game #1: Minto played nearby Brighton and it was obvious for the first period that many of the players were affected by the over 3 hour drive to get there. It would seem that Minto would not find there legs until the second period. This allowed Brighton to score twice before Minto got on the scoreboard and once in the second period. Minto woke up and outplayed Brighton for the remainder of the game scoring four times before the end of the regulation time to make the score 4-3 to put Minto in the lead and looking like they could win this game. Unfortunately, Minto made a defensive line change and the puck rebounded off a players skate to redirect the play into Minto's end giving Brighton a breakaway to quickly tie the game at 4-4. With 5 minutes left, Minto challenged Brighton and had many scoring chances but couldn't seem to put it in which forced them to an overtime shoot out. Brighton scored in the shootout to win the game 5-4.
Game #2:Minto faced off against Peterborough and got an early one on the scoreboard. Peterborough seemed to pick up the pace and scored four goals in the first period to send a message to Minto that they meant business. Minto answered back with a second goal by the end of the period to make the score 4-2. Minto fought off this quick Peterborough team and shut down their chances for the second period and most of the third period which allowed Minto to score another to make the game very close at 4-3. With three minutes left in the game, Peterborough capitalized on a loose puck around the net to go ahead 5-3. Minto won some good battles and had there chances but just could not finish this one but good close game overall.
Game #3: With two close losses in this tournament so far Minto was placed in a qualifier round with Bancroft who also lost there first two games in their pool play. It would seem that Minto was not going to have too much trouble with this team as they out skated them for most of the game. Minto scored four goals by the end of the second period and it was looking like Minto's tender would get a shut out when a Brancroft forward darted towards the net with less than one minute left in the game to put one up for Brancroft to make the final score 4-1 to give Minto their first win of the tournament and to qualify for the E division championship game.
Game #4: Minto met Lakefield in the final game to determine which team would be the champions of the division. Minto came out with some speed and had some early opportunities again but unable to find the back of the net. However, Minto showed some grit and continued to battle with three minutes left in the third period Noah Aitken was able to capitalize on a well fought scramble around the net. Assists went to Ryan Litt and Parker Miller. Then at the three minute mark of the second period Minto was given a penalty giving Lakefield a powerplay. Minto's penelty kill was strong and showed good speed and puck movement which allowed them to gain control of the play. Leah Herrfort got a good shot on the net from the point that rebounded to Ryan Litt who made a nice pass to Parker Miller who was open on the corner to put it in putting Minto in the lead 2-0. Before Minto's penalty ended, they were called on another one which put them in a difficult situation and played 5-3 for one whole minute and 5-4 for another minute. Minto killed off both penalties successfully. With a couple of minutes left in the third period, Lakefield pulled their goaltender to try and get some chances with an extra player on. Minto's defence and goaltending remained solid and kept Lakefield scoreless. Minto's defense battled to free the puck and move it so that Parker Miller picked it up and made a pass to Ryan Helmka who was in positon to get by the defence and send the puck into the empty net to secure Minto's win at 3-0. Drew Richardson played well in net to get a well deserved shut out. The team left with a big smile, banner and new white hats. What a great year!
