The Grey Bruce Highlanders Minor Peewee team headed into the
SCTA Championships confident that they were ready to have their best showing in
their history. After an 8th
place finish in the league regular season, the Highlanders were set to play
against first place Oakville, second place Niagara North, ninth place Buffalo
and tenth place Brampton.
In the team’s first game, they played against Brampton, a
team they had defeated four times this season.
Early in the game, the Highlanders came out flying and proved to be too
much for the 45s beating them 5-1. After
the game, the post-game talk was positive but the team was reminded that
stiffer competition was on the way. In
the second game, the Highlanders were confident that they could come out and
give the OHF silver medalists a run for their money as the last meeting between
the two teams ended in a 4-4 tie. Early
in the game, the Highlanders looked like they had come to play as the first six
minutes were spent almost entirely in the Oakville end. However, after surviving a slow start, the
Oakville team showed a lot of skill and put some good pressure on the
Highlanders defense. In the end,
Oakville came out with a 6-1 win.
The Highlanders still had a chance to move on with two more
wins, but standing in the way were the OHF semi-finalists from Niagara. Over the year, the Highlanders had some
trouble with the high powered offense of Niagara North and knew that they would
need their best game to advance. The
team came out a bit flat and sat back, letting Niagara come at them in waves
and with speed. Niagara scored early
leaving the Highlanders in a position to need a comeback. However, the Niagara team never let up
completing the game with an 8-1 victory.
Despite a 1-2 record, the Grey Bruce Highlanders still had
lots to play for to keep its 8th place ranking and to finish 2-2
would complete a huge turnaround for the Minor Peewee team in 2016-17. The team was ready, coming out flying and
highlighting the speed that was the hallmark of the team all season. Throughout the game, the Highlanders won
races to pucks, won battles on the wall and showed the heart and desire that
each of these players have. Despite a
couple of turnovers that ended up in goals, the team led through most of the game
and played far better than the 4-3 win.
But, a win is a win and this one was sweet as it left the Grey Bruce
Minor Peewee Highlanders at 2-2 for the weekend.
The team saluted their parents who supported them throughout
the season; and jubilation, some tears of happiness as well as many smiles and
pride could be seen in each of the boys.
A season of hard work, dedication to a game plan and the team work
throughout the year culminated in this meaningful end to a good season.