On December 12, 2009 Minto Mad Dogs hosted their annual Bantam Rep Hockey Tournament. Participating teams included Arthur, Mount Forest, Lucknow, Embro, West Lome, TCDMHA and Minto.
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.