Mar 20, 2013 | hribey | 2096 views
OMHA's Here We Come
written by: The Trainer
The SCTA qualifying tournament was held in beautiful Niagara Falls this weekend and the Highlanders packed up their coolers and made the trek down. While the parents were reminiscing of honeymoons and heart shaped Jacuzzi tubs the Major Peewee’s had one thing on their mind, and that was to be there on Sunday. All arrived Thursday night at different times so the parent meeting took a little longer than expected while the players hit the hay early in preparation for a long weekend.
Game 1- The Scandinave Grey Bruce Highlanders kicked off their tournament against an old foe, the Welland Southern Tier Admirals. In games past the Admirals would be unpredictable and competitive to play against, but not today. This was a game of battleship with the Highlander Destroyers easily sinking the Welland Dinghy’s and sending them over the falls with a 7-1 win.
Game 2- Guelph Storm was next. Guelph was a team that played us this year differently from game to game. One game they would try the rough stuff, other games they would try beating us with speed and finesse. Well, it didn’t work during the regular season and it didn’t work this weekend. The Guelph Storm was downgraded to a summer breeze as the Highlanders blew them away and won this match 5-1.
Game 3- Saturday against Niagara North. This St.Catherines team was a worthy opponent all year and today was no different. The game was evenly played with both teams trading chances all game long but in the end the good guys would come out on top with a 3-2 win.
Game 4-A match that would determine which team would finish first in their division. Niagara Falls Rivermen could stand in the way of the Grey-Bruce Highlanders gaining the number one seed. The Rivermen have been a squad that has splashed cold water at the Highlanders for 3 out of 4 games. Tired of being paddled and looking to shake the Niagara Falls jinx, the Highlanders kept their eye on the prize. It was a game that went back and forth. Call it lucky, or call it destiny, but the Highlanders would score in the final minute to finally puncture a hole in the Rivermen raft for good, and send them sinking on the way to a 3-2 win. This set up a match against the Oakville Rangers on Sunday.
Game 5-Sunday 1 pm. Oakville Rangers vs. the Grey Bruce Highlanders for the opportunity to move on.
July 1 1867: Federal dominion of Canada was formed
Jan 11 1908: The first Ford automobile would hit the streets of Canada.
Jan 12 1908: The first Ford automobile would break down on the streets of Canada
July 20 1969: Apollo space craft would land on the moon
Dec 31 1991: The cold war ends
Would the Grey Bruce Major PeeWee Highlanders also re-write the history books? Oakville finished 2nd in overall standings this year while Grey-Bruce claimed the 6th spot. It was agreed during an evening strategy session that this was a game to not be taken lightly. With size, talent and destiny on their side, the Highlanders took to the ice at 1:10 pm in front of packed arena. Grey – Bruce came out flying with a big presence at the drop of the puck. Wave after wave of Highlander forecheckers seemed to frustrate the Rangers. The teams battled for every inch of ice, slick passing, net crashing and bodies flying added to the excitement. It seemed to be anybody’s game and when the buzzer sounded to end the second the Highlanders enjoyed what seemed like a convincing 3-1 lead.
Grey Bruce seemed to be in control but before you could say OMHA the Oakland Rangers would tie this one up within the first 2 minutes of the third. The rest of the period would see great chances at both ends of the rink but when the bell rang to end the period the score would be tied at 3 a piece. As the spectators inched their way to the edge of their seats for the first overtime, each team gave the fans their money’s worth. Unfortunately for the faint of heart the first O.T solved nothing and the combatants retreated to the dressing rooms for a break as the zamboni made his rounds. Deep breaths were taken, hearts were pounding and nerves were on edge as the two squads hit the ice surface for the beginning of the second overtime. Much like the entire game it started fast and furious as both sides had glorious scoring chances. And then with 1 minute and 14 seconds left in the 2nd overtime, a Highlander puck found the back of the Ranger netting, and the history books will note, that on March 17th 2013, the Major Peewee Grey Bruce Highlanders, after a very successful season, will deservedly advance to the OMHA playoffs in Clarington. Each skater, and goaltender played magnificently this weekend and will walk into the Clarington arena as SCTA qualifier champions and will be ready to battle again. Please stay tuned…..