Mar 14, 2012 | mdamignani | 1654 views
Scandinave Minor PeeWees Look For Redemption
As the mercury starts to rise and the days get longer, the Scandinave Minor PeeWees have some unfinished business to take care of this weekend at the year end SCTA Qualifier Tournament. After a gritty performance in St. Catherines a few weeks back, the team has stumbled and thrown away some valuable points over the remainder of the regular season.
After a solid thrashing from the Niagara North North Stars, the team returned to "Vineland" to settle the score. In game #1, both teams played a wide open game with an abundance of scoring opportunities. The Stars had 2-1 late in the third period. Connor Roberts collected the first marker. Linemates Hayden Coulter and Brendan Cederberg chipped in with the helpers. With only seconds on the clock, the Highlanders pulled the goalie for an extra attacker. Carter Buehlow threw a shot towards the net and the puck made it through a maze of players to secure the tie. Jamie Damignani and Brendan Cederberg earned the assists.
In game #2, both teams once again provided some excellent entertainment as both squads exchanged glorious scoring opportunities. The Stars would go on to win the game by a score of 2-1. Derrick Cornfield rifled a shot over the trapper of the goalie with the help of Jamie Damignani and Evan Visser to record the only Highlander goal. Both Lucas Pfeil and Malachi Albrecht stood on their heads as both games were run and gun contests.
One week later, the boys would be in tough against the first place Oakville Rangers. The Rangers played a physical game and displayed their team speed as they took a 3-0 lead late into the third frame. With only four minutes remaining in the contest, Jamie Damignani got the Highlanders on the scoreboard with a shot under the bar to give the team a bit of hope. With the net empty for an extra attacker, the Rangers fired one into the open cage to earn a 4-1 victory.
The next day back in Chesley, The boys squandered an excellent opportunity to advance in the standings. The team went on to lose back to back games to the Halton Hurricanes by scores of 5-1 and 5-4. In game #1 Connor Roberts scored the lone goal with the help of his linemates Hayden Coulter and Brendan Cederberg. In game #2, Brendan Cederberg scored 2 goals and collected one helper. Singles went to Hayden Coulter and Justin Marlowe. Coulter also picked up an assist while single helpers went to Sean O'Donnell and Carter Buehlow. Things would not get any better as the Guelph Jr. Storm took it to the boys the following weekend. Brayden McKenzie would score the first goal of the contest. Guelph would get the next 8. Trevor Donaldson and Justin Marlowe earned the assists.
This past weekend, the team once again failed to secure some precious points as they would play their final 3 regular season games of the season. On Saturday, the Southern Tier Admirals took four points from the boys as they recorded 3-1 and 7-4 victories. Connor Roberts collected the lone Highlander marker. In game #2, Brendan Cederberg scored twice for the boys while singles went to Connor Roberts and Justin Marlowe. Matthew Bogenrieder and Austin VanWyck collected the helpers. On Sunday, the team once again got behind the eight ball as they fell behind 4-0 to the host Burlington Eagles. To their credit, the team rebounded in the last 2 periods to make this a game worth watching. Derrick Cornfiled started the comeback with a second period goal. Sean O'Donnell and Evan Visser chipped in with the helpers. Evan Visser scored the next goal to narrow the lead to 2. Jamie Damignani and Austin VanWyck registered the assists. Brendan Cederberg got the boys within one as Connor Roberts and Sean O'Donnell help set up the third Highlander marker. The Eagles would go on and take this one by a score of 4-3 as the team failed to get the equalizer with the goalie out of the net.
During this rough stretch, the team's play has been inconsistent and void of enthusiasm at crucial times in various games. The one thing that has remained consistent is exceptional goaltending. Both Lucas Pfeil and Malachi Albrecht have stood tall between the pipes and their team every opportunity to compete.
The team needs to draw upon their stellar performance at the Lindsay Tournament a month ago and play with that same passion and confidence. They know they are capable of it! We were there. We witnessed it!!
We all know that anything can happen at a tournament That's the beauty of tournament action. I believe that is where we are headed this weekend. Leave it all on the ice boys! Redemption is possible!!