Sep 11, 2013 | dskinner | 1036 views
FIRST CONCRETE LTD BANTAMS FIGHT THE RUST IN THE NATIONS CAPITAL!
The First Concrete Ltd. Bantams travelled to Ottawa this past weekend in an effort to work off the rust and get the season rolling. Unfortunately, they experienced mixed results in their first competitive action of the season, coming away with 2 wins and 2 losses.
The first game of the tournament featured a matchup of two teams that had not previously faced each other and Windsor seemed determined to get the upper hand in opening minutes. The Highlanders regrouped but were unable to breakthrough and the period ended in a draw. The second period featured the bitter flavour of what's to come as Windsor struck first on the power play. Undisciplined play and penalty killing issues were to haunt the Highlanders for the remainder of the weekend. Windsor was to continue their strong play and jump out to a 3-0 lead before Troy Weber was able to put the boys on the board. Although the goal was followed up by two shorthanded breakaways, Windsor was able to capitalize on another power play goal with 17 seconds left in the second period to take a 4-1 and regained momentum for good. The Highlanders bounced back again as Jordan Taylor banged one in with assists to Dalton Black and Logan Swanton. Again momentum swung in Windsor's favour with another power play goal to make it 5-2. Jakob Lee closed the gap again with a feed from Noah Johnson but the Highlanders could get no closer falling 6-3 with an empty net goal despite a 32 -26 advantage in shots. Jordan Taylor was named player of the game.
Game two had the First Concrete Ltd Bantams take on the eventual tournament champions Syracuse Nationals and the Highlanders were unable to find their game. With 3 more power play goals against, the Highlanders went down 6-1. The only highlight being a great rush by Ben Tupker with a feed from behind the net to his brother Zach for the lone goal. Zach was named player of the game for his efforts.
Day two of the tournament saw the Highlanders regain some semblance of their tenacious style as they outshot opponent CHI Academy 14 -1 in the first period. Bradyn Thompson opened the scoring with an assistance for Zach Tupker and Will Rickerby banged in a rebound on a play started by a great pass from Troy Weber to Jakob Lee who drew assists on the goal. With the CHI Academy halving the lead and threatening for more, Jordan Taylor continued his strong play with an unassisted goal to make it 3-1. The Highlanders added to that with a tic tac toe beauty from Zach Tupker to Ben Tupker to Noah Johnson with the marker. Danny Skinner earned player of game honours.
With their first win under their belt, the boys hoped to continue their success with their second win of the day in a battle against Timmins. In a penalty filled affair the Highlanders were able to take advantage of their own power play opportunities while weathering the storm against their penalty kill. Michael Fiegehen scored the first two for the Highlanders with assists going to Jordan Taylor, Logan Swanton, and Noah Johnson. After Timmins answered with one of their own, Dalton Black slapped one in with assists to Jordan Taylor and Josh Urbschott. Weber converted a 5 on 3 pp chance with another assist from Noah Johnson. Mike Fiegehen was named player of the game and the boys were off to meet Syracuse in the tournament semi-final.
Unfortunately, the tournament didn't end there as Syracuse showed the form that was to lead them to the championship. Jake Lee tallied the lone goal on rebound from a Danny Skinner shot from the point but it wasn't nearly enough in a 7-1 drubbing.
The First Concrete Ltd will return for two weeks of intense practice before they open their season against Oakville at the Normanby Arena Complex in Ayton on September 21st.