The
location may have changed from Cleveland to Detroit, but the mission ahead of
them stayed the same: Work Hard, Play
Hard and Develop as a Team.
The Major Peewee AE team headed to Detroit last weekend to participate in their first Motown Cup. The players were excited to head to the U.S. as representatives of Canada and to challenge some teams they had never faced before. Friday night’s game introduced the team to its first taste of AA hockey as they took on the Barrie Colts. It was quickly evident that the pace of hockey was going to be at a higher tempo and before the 2nd period had ended Barrie had built a 2-0 lead. The Avalanche found their stride and worked hard to battle for the remainder of the 3rd period, but eventually the clock expired leaving the Av’s with a 2-0 opening game loss.
In Game 2 the Avalanche faced another AA opponent, the Windsor Spitfires. This battle was a hard fought game from the drop of the puck, however this time the Av’s were ready to play the entire game. With an excellent fore-check and an aggressive back check the Avalanche showed their true determination and rallied to win 3-2.
The afternoon match allowed the Av’s its first taste of American hockey teams, the Michigan AA Metro Jets. Facing a possible elimination with a loss or tie it was the Avalanche that came out flying. Taking an early lead and never turning back the Avalanche controlled the play and led 4-1 late in the game. After a late tally by the Jets and then an empty net attack the third goal scrummed its way past the Av’s net minder putting the score at a tense 4-3. With composure and poise the Avalanche rallied around their goalie and pulled off the victory 4-3.
Semi-final Sunday was redemption time as the Avalanche squared off against the only team they had lost too all weekend, the AA Barrie Colts. It was the Avalanche that came to play hard and fast in this game, sending the message back to the Colts with a dominant 3-1 win.
The Championship game was an epic battle, Ancaster Avalanche vs the AA Sarnia Sting. The game was all Avalanche in the first period as they took a 2-0 lead into the second. The Av’s stretched out their lead to 3-0 before the Sting called a time out. With a goalie change and an inspirational time out the Sting came storming back with 2 quick goals. Half way through the third period the Sting took advantage of a power play situation and knotted the game at 3-3. When the buzzer sounded it was time for 4 on 4 Sudden Death Overtime. With chances happening at both ends of the ice the excitement was palpable. However, when overtime couldn’t produce a victor, it was to be decided by shootout. The tournament MVP goalie from the Sarnia Sting had the last say in the game and closed the door on the Avalanche's bid for a gold medal.
The Parents and Coaches couldn’t have been more proud of the Major Peewee AE Team. Congratulations on bringing home the Silver Medal and Motown Finalist Cup. Mission Accomplished.