Jan 09, 2012 | mdamignani | 1560 views
Scandinave Minor PeeWees Invade Capital Hill
The Scandinave Minor PeeWees spent a good portion of their holiday season in Ottawa as they participated in the prestigious Bell Capital Cup. This was a great opportunity to break in those new gloves, that new helmet and those new Easton Stealth and Bauer sticks.
Game #1 would see the Highlanders go up against the Peterborough Petes coached by Stanley Cup champion Marc Savard of the Boston Bruins. The boys arrived at the Kanata rink bright and early with their new goodies. Unfortunately, they forgot their legs back at the Chimo Hotel. What ensued was a weak performance by the squad and a disappointing 7-0 loss in the tournament opener.
Determined to put game #1 behind them and start fresh, the Highlanders played their best game of the tournament against the Ottawa Silver Seven. The Silver Seven were ranked #10 in provincial rankings but this did not seem to faze our troops. Evan Visser tied the game in the first period on a powerplay goal. Jamie Damignani and Brayden Mckenzie collected the helpers. Ottawa took the lead in the second frame until Brenden Cederberg buried the equalizer. Hayden Coulter chipped in with the assist. It was a back and forth affair with excellent scoring opportunities at both ends of the rink. The team was down 3-2 in the third until Carter Buehlow buried a backhander to even the score at 3 goals a piece. It looked like this game would end in a draw until a late breakdown in the Highlander end. The Silver Seven scored late in the third and escaped with a 4-3 victory.
In game #3, the Highlanders were up against a determined Ottawa Sting team. This turned out to be an odd game with several questionable calls. The team played a good portion of the match shorthanded. Nonetheless, there were several glorious chances to bury some goals but it wasn't meant to be. By the time the third period started, the Highlanders were down by a score of 3-0. Connor Roberts collected the lone marker as the Sting won the game by a score of 4-1. Justin marlowe and Ryan Thede chipped in with the helpers.
In game #4, the boys were committed to finishing the tournament on a high note against New York State. The team took an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Brenden Cederberg and never looked back. His sidekick Leif McFadden assisted on the goal. Goal #2 came courtesy of Evan Visser. Ryan Thede and Brayden McKenzie drew the assists. In the second period, Brenden Cederberg and Hayden Coulter scored consecutive goals as the team took a 4-2 lead into the third frame. Sean O'Donnell, Brayden McKenzie, Austin Vanwyck and Connor Roberts each recorded an assist on the 2 goals.
The boys took a commanding 6-3 lead after goals from Hayden Coulter and Matthew Bogenrieder. Justin Marlowe and Connnor Roberts each picked up a point on the 6th Highlander goal. The game got a little too close for comfort as the Pride replied with 2 late goals to narrow the gap to 1. The boys held on for an exciting 6-5 win. A great way to head back home!
Throughout the tournament, the team once again had excellent goaltending from the duo of Lucas Pfeil and Malachi Albrecht. Each goalie gave the Highlander squad every opportunity to compete and win every game they were a part of. Well done boys!
Once again, this tournament helped the team realize that they can compete with any team in the province when they decide to show up and play. To quote our good friend Scott Buehlow: "It does not matter what's in your glass . Just remember that it is always half full-not half empty!"