The Minto Atom LL #1 team finished off their round robin Playoff Schedule with a perfect 10 – 0 record
The Maddogs were in a tough division which included Drayton, Normanby, Wallace, Durham and the Minto LL #2 Team. The Maddogs were able to achieve decisive wins over Normanby, Wallace and Durham early in the Playoff schedule. The Harriston Arena was the site for hard fought victories over the Minto Atom LL #2 Team. In both games, they were out played in the first period by the aggressive play by the Atom # 2 team and found themselves down by a couple goals after the first periods. They fought hard to overcome these deficits and in both games were able to score in the second and third frames to squeak out 4–3 and 3-2 victories.
With the last playoff game scheduled for March 12 against Drayton, this would prove to be the Maddogs greatest challenge of the year. With three players away for March Break, not only where they going to be short benched but their Coach, Dale Litt, wasn’t going to be behind the bench. Line shuffling that included Owen Day playing defense instead of his usual goal position and Brandon Woodroeffe playing wing instead of defense was needed. A family situation at the last minute prevented Assistant Coach Jamie Williams from coaching along with Bryce Williams from playing. Brock Shannon filled in as coach at the last minute or else the Maddogs would have been forced to forfeit the game. With the players dressed and ready for the puck drop, the Maddogs were 35 minutes away from the end of the playoffs and their perfect season and post season record on the line. The Maddogs got off to a great start and with goals from Ethan Lemke and Kaleb Irvin, found themselves up 2 – 0 over the Drayton Defenders at the end of the 1st period. Drayton got rolling in the second and were able to net a couple to tie the game. Being short players started to take it’s toll on the energy level of the Maddogs and Drayton seemed to have the edge in momentum by the end of the second period. Regrouping after the second intermission, Minto was able to get a 3 – 2 lead thanks to a goal from Kaleb Irvin. Drayton didn’t give up and continued to play aggressive driving to the net on several plays. Bailey Sinclair stood tall making a couple fantastic saves in close when the Drayton forwards were able to cut into the net after getting around the Minto Defense. With less than 5 minutes to play in the 3rd period, Ian Jamieson picked up the puck at centre ice , skated around the Drayton Defenseman for a breakaway chance. A good wrist shot in close found the back of the Drayton net and gave the Maddogs a 4 – 2 cushion late in the 3rd period. They would carry this lead till the end of the period earning the 4 – 2 victory.
Special Thank You to Brock Shannon for Coaching the Maddogs in their final game.
The Maddogs are in the W.O.A.A. Local League Final where they will face the Seaforth Stars in a Best 3 out of 5 series starting Sunday night in Seaforth. Their back to Minto on Monday night, 6:30 in Harriston – come out and cheer on the Maddogs !!!!!