Sep 17, 2012 | dblack | 2239 views
Chapman's Ice Cream Major Atoms Serve Notice in Peterborough
The Major Atoms entered the Peterborough tournament with exactly 1 game of experience. After playing six strong games where nobody was able to beat them in regulation time, they left having finished 2nd in the round robin play and also Consolation Finalists. AAA centres from across the province that have traditionally been powerhouses were left shocked and surprised at what just hit them.
First up Quinte Red Devils
After trading goals in each of the first two periods, the Highlanders took over the game in the third. Tenacious in every aspect, the Highlanders outshot the Devils 17-5 in the period and scored the periods only goal. This game seemed to give the boys a boost and build their confidence for what was to come.
Next up the Mighty Burlington Eagles
Burlington finished third last year in the SCTA. So the Highlanders knew everyone would need to bring their 'A' game if we were to have a chance. Another very exciting game to watch. We were starting to see that the Highlanders persistence for any loose puck is another strong feature of this team. After opening the scoring, the Highlanders escaped the first period with a 1-0 lead. Burlington evened things up early in the second, and each team would score again in the period to knot things at two. As the third period progressed Burlington regained the lead. You could see a slight lag in the Highlanders play. They weren't winning every battle anymore, their wasn't as much jump. Prues(Hanover) was there though. He made a few tough stops and held the score till the Highlanders got going again. The Highlanders work finally paid off. With just: 56 seconds to go in the game Rahn(Durham) was able to get one behind the Burlington netminder and salvage a tie.
Saturday Morning and The 99ers are in for a surprise
Yet another very strong opponent ranked 18th in the province last year. This game was being played at a very high pace, however, very few chances for either team. It remained scoreless through the first two periods with shots even at 10. For the third, the boys did it again. They took the game over and really began to press. Out shooting the '99ers 13-7 in the third they were able to scratch out a 3-1 win. This set the stage for a chance to play on Sunday
Saturday afternoon with Markham
Markham is a member of the mighty GTHL out of Toronto. Everyone has heard how the best players all gravitate to this league. So again, the Highlanders knew this was going to be another tough match. They also knew they would need to pull out a victory to carry on. However, the big question was would they have anything left to give. The Highlanders just played three hard fought battles where each player left everything they had on the ice. These boys continue to impress. They came out flying and outshot Markham 17-3 in the first period which ended 2-1 Highlanders. The second period was a little tamer, however, the Highlanders were able to stretch the lead to 4-1. The challenge now was to keep the players playing our game and not letting Markham back in. We added the lone marker for the third and we were on to Sunday.
Saturday night is where things got interesting. A lot of Highlander parents were left scrambling to cancel plans they had made for Sunday. With 14 strong, well established teams entered in this tournament and 1 team having played just 1 game in their existence the Highlander parents never dreamed their children would be playing Sunday. (Psst, don't tell the boys this). Phone lines and servers around Peterborough were jammed as alternate arrangements were made around home.
Having finished 2nd after the round robin play, we were going up against the strong, powerful Barrie Colts in the semi-finals. Highlander parents were about to see what the Highlanders were really like playing the Elite teams.
Sunday morning with Barrie
Again, the play was even throughout the first, tight checking and low shots. When the buzzer went, the Colts held a 2-1 lead. Things would remain like this through the second. The Highlanders again took the game over in the third, totally dominating in every aspect. As a spectator situated amongst the Colts parents it was interesting to see their behavior. After all, this Highlander team was to be a "practice" for the finals. The Colts parents were beside themselves. Swearing at the refs, at each other and sometimes at the boys. It had been a long time since these Colts had been in a game as tight as this. Suddenly, they realized they weren't the better team. The Highlanders outshot these mighty Colts 15-4 in the third and were finally rewarded with 3:26 to go and the game was now tied at two. This seemed to put some of their parents over the edge. The anxiety on their faces was priceless. Into overtime we go. Again with the three on three format. Each team would have a couple of excellent chances but the goalies stood tall. Kinch (Bruce Penninsula) making two excellent stops to keep the game alive. Then disaster struck. The Highlanders were assessed a tripping penalty with 2:30 to go in the first overtime. Knowing how well the Highlanders were playing, Barrie wasn't about to let this chance slip away and give the Highlanders another opportunity. The Colts moved the puck well all around the Highlander zone and at 2:03 were able to squeeze one past to secure a spot in the finals. The Highlanders would be going against the Windsor Spitfires.
Consolation Finals Sunday afternoon
Yet another big, well established team about to get a huge surprise. The Spitfires came out displaying a little more jump and at the midway point of the first would open the scoring. The Highlanders would continue to battle and eventually tie the game with 1:30 to go in the first. A minute later, the Spitfires would re-capture the lead as the first period wound down. The second period continued much like the first. With 7:50 to go, the Highlanders would grab another goal to tie things at two. Just over a minute later, the Spitfires responded and regained the lead. As the second wound down the Highlanders continued to press and impress. This team just doesn't quit. With :36 seconds left in the second, the Highlanders finally notched our third of the game to square things at three. This is how it would remain through the third. It was overtime again for the second straight game and Highlander parents nerves were starting to wear thin. Again the three on three format. With all the open ice, it was end to end and each team getting great chances. With 1:32 left in the first overtime Windsor struck on an excellent shot that found the corner.
We ended as Consolation Finalists in a tournament that featured some of the top teams in the province. What a way to start the season. We finished the tournament out shooting the opposition 153-125 and out scoring them 20-15. When they play the Highlanders in the future, several centres were served notice that they are going to be playing a hard working, fast, puck control team that actually plays as a team. This team never quit all week-end and were dominate along the boards, winning most battles. A great weekend overall!