Mar 27, 2013 | hribey | 2733 views
Extraordinary Season Ends with OMHA Silver
written by: The Trainer
Think back to August of 2012 when an unrefined rag tag team of PeeWee players hit the ice together for the first time. What were your expectations? What would your definition of a "good" season be? How about a .500 hockey club? How about a sniff at a few tournament Sunday’s? How about a competitive showing at the season end SCTA qualifier? All sounded reasonable at the time. Only a crazy rabbit would have dreamed of more.
46 -18-10 season record
3 Tournament Wins
SCTA Qualifier Champs
Silver at OMHA Finals
Did anyone have their expectations exceeded a little bit? Well, are there moose in Thunder Bay? The Scandinave Grey Bruce PeeWee Highlanders had a remarkable run, beating every team in their league at least once including the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs at the first game of the OMHA tournament. The second and third game of the OMHA round robin tournament were ties, one against last year’s champs,the Clarington Toros, and the other against a determined North Central Predator team. The fourth game was a battle against a strong tournament favourite, the York Simcoe Express squad. A victory at this 4th game of the weekend would guarantee the Highlanders a shot at gold. Well, the boys would do it again and find a way to win, 3-2 and it was a 6pt weekend, good enough for first place after the round robin.
The Gold medal game was early Sunday afternoon. It would be a tilt against the team they had beaten the day before, York Simcoe Express. Winning this game would propel the Highlanders into the OHF finals to be held in Thunder Bay during the first week of blackfly season April 9-14th. Feeling strong, rested and positive, the Grey-Bruce Highlanders hit the ice as the #1 seed and the home team. After the playing of the National Anthem the puck was dropped to start the game. The two teams would battle back and forth. Great chances and great goaltending kept the game at a scoreless tie for most of the first. However when the siren blew to end the second the Highlanders found themselves down by three to zero to an experienced York Simcoe team. Was it over? Did the Highlanders fold up their tents and call it a day? Not a chance, not this team. Two quick goals in the first five minutes of the third had York Simcoe on their heels. The Highlander fans, with faces painted and wearing traditional Grey-Bruce attire were cheering loud enough to raise the roof at the Garnet B Rickard Recreation Complex. Unfortunately, as the third period continued, the York Simcoe Express, with their experience and timely plays made the most of their opportunities. The final score would in no way reflect what kind of game it was. You really had to be there. When the curtain finally dropped, the Grey-Bruce Highlanders celebrated, not as runner – ups, but as the true champions that they are.
The Grey Bruce PeeWee Highlander players will not be playing hockey in Thunder Bay this year. And the Grey–Bruce PeeWee Highlander Mom’s, Dad’s and coaching staff will not be ice-fishing between hockey games in Thunder Bay this year. But that’s okay, it was an extraordinary season, it was history in the making and this year’s team has gained experience that will pay many dividends in the future. While this is the end of the 2012-2013 season, is it the beginning of something greater? Maybe we should ask the crazy rabbit. Congratulations to all on a terrific season, see ya’ll next year.