The Major PeeWee AE Avalanche won gold at the Guelph Power
Play Tournament (Nov 21-23, 2014) by defeating the Guelph Gryphons 5-4 in the
championship game.
The Avalanche finished round robin play with a 3-0-1 record to grab 4th place in a strong field.
In the semis, they were going up against a strong 1st place Halton Hills Thunder squad. The boys came out strong outplaying the opposition and taking a 3-0 lead into the 3rd period. Halton finally cracked the solid defense and sound goaltending with 2 goals to make it close, but not enough. A win for the Avalanche and off to the finals to face the home town team Guelph Gryphons.
The finals proved to be an exciting and fast paced game. Once again the Avalanche boys jumped out to an early lead but quickly fell behind 3-1 heading into the second. Facing a strong performance by the Guelph goalie who kept the boys at bay, but could not stop the relentless pressure giving up a late goal in the 2nd to cut the lead to 1. Guelph regained the 2 goal lead early in the third, only to lose it again by the hard working Avalanche boys. In the dying minutes and with the extra attacker the boys tied the game up. Riding the momentum the team pushed and with under a minute scored the go ahead goal to capture the championship.
The coaches are extremely proud of the boys’ focus, determination, effort and great team play throughout the tournament. Many thanks to the bench staff, parents, family and friends who came out to support the boys.
Front Row: Colin Jormakka, Jacob Searles, Andrew Cain, Nathan Pace, Brenden Gerritsen.
Second Row: Joseph Mattei, Matthew Misale, Josh Stampfli, Brent Cranston, Connor DiBenedetto, Nathan Newport.
Third Row: Michael Timmer, Caelen Leizer-Romalis, Connor Lynch, Eric Johnson, Connor Milne, Conner Pavao.
Back Row: Coaches; Phil Lynch, Rob Pace, Mike DiBenedetto.
Background: Trainer Shannon Bentley.
Not in the picture: Trainer Lynnette Cranston and Manager Jason Leizer.