The Highlanders took their act south of the border to participate in the Rochester Invitational the weekend of January 22-24th. The boys have been playing some great hockey of late and this gave them a chance to showcase their game against some strong US competition.
Game#1 vs Rochester Americans (Won 3-0)
After a long drive, the boys began the tournament against the hometown Rochester Americans. The Highlanders dominated from start to finish and the 3-0 final score flattered the Americans who who able to muster only a handful of shots. Scoring for the Highlanders were Cam Lightfoot with 2 and Nathan Aherns. Picking up assists were Keegan Foster, Jerrid Fossold, Eric Lalonde and Chris Brown.
Game#2 vs Rochester Monarchs (Lost 2-1)
Once again the Highlanders carried the bulk of the play but their inability to finish proved costly against the tournament's highest rated team. Nathan Aherns picked up the lone marker for GBH assisted by Keegan Foster and Chris Brown. Matt Donnelly played well in net for the narrow loss.
Game #3 vs. Amherst Kights (Won 6-0)
The first game on Saturday pitted the Highlanders against the Amherst Knights. Again, the Highlanders dominated from start to finish with Brayden Kelso picking up his second consecutive shutout. Scoring for Grey Bruce were Chris Brown (2), Myles Baker, Cody Marles, Emmett Sproule and Kip Wilson. Assists went to Sproule (3), Baker (2), Marles (2). Fossold, Torrie, Wilson and Aherns
Game # 4 vs. Wheatfield Blades (Tied 1-1)
This game turned out to be a goalie duel with Matthew Donnelly making some great saves and the Wheatfield goalie closing the door time and time again on the Highlanders. Once again the boys carried the bulk of the play but couldn't get the goal they
needed to put away the pesky Blades. Jerrid Fossold scored the only goal for GBH with Chris Brown picking up and assist.
Gold Semi Final vs. Wheatfield Blades (Won 3-2)
One more time the Highlanders took the play to the Blades with most of the great scoring plays but our lack of finishing coupled with some great goaltending kept the game close. The score was tied for the majority of the game and continued that way into the third. After some great saves at both ends, Keegan Foster stepped into an errant pass from the Wheatfield defence and wired a one time slap shot over the shoulder of the stunned goalie for the game winner late in the third. Brayden Kelso held the fort for the rest of the game assuring the win and putting the boys into the Final. Emmett Sproule and Owen Tichbourne scored the other goals for the Highlanders with Cody Marles, Cam Lightfoot and Josh Lorenz picking up assists.
Final vs. Rochester Monarchs (lost 2-1)
The final pitted the Highlanders against the Rochester Monarchs. This was another goal-tending showdown with Matthew Donnelly and the Monarchs goalie trading saves in a wide open game. After a scoreless first period, Grey Bruce opened the scoring when Emmett Sproule banged home a loose puck on assists from Nathan Aherns and Kip Wilson. The Highlanders carried that 1-0 lead into the third period and looked on their way to winning the tournament. Unfortunately, two quick goals early in the third put the Monarchs in the lead and despite throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the opposition goalie down the stretch, the boys couldn't get the goal they needed to extend the game.
The boys played some great hockey and despite the heartbreaking loss in the final, there were way more positives than negatives at the end of the day. This should give the boys a shot of confidence and they close out the season and begin playoffs over the next few weeks.