Bantam’s Win Port Dover Tourny, News, Bantam Rep, U15, 2013-2014 (Listowel Minor Hockey Association)

The local lads saved their best game for the finals as their strong positional play and tenacious fore-check proved too much for the NOTL team. Nic O’Grady’s great opening game save & Austin McGrath’s 1^st period breakaway goal (Curtis Jackson, Luc Jamieson drawing assists) seemed to set the tempo early for the Cycs. However NOTL would respond a few minutes later tying the game at 1. Jamieson would cap off a nice 3-way passing play late in the 1^st to regain the Cycs led (Reese Reading, Josh Coelho assisting). McGrath would extend the led in the 2^nd (Reading drawing the assist), then the 3^rd period was all Cycs as their determination seemed to wear down their opponent resulting in 2 more goals. Cooper Miller chipped home the McGrath pass, then McGrath completed the hat-trick as he converted the great Reid Gooding pass (Coelho drew the 2^nd assist). With the final 5-1 the bantams captured their 1^st tournament victory of the year.

The tournament opened early Friday afternoon against the strong Lincoln Blades team, who ended up capturing the “B” Championship . The 1^st 2 periods saw a back and forth game with both teams generating some quality scoring chances, but the goaltenders were both equal to the tasks. Listowel would find the twine early in the 3^rd as Jamieson would tuck home the games 1^st goal (Derek Fischer, Coelho drawing assists).  Jamieson would extend the led as he tipped home the Michael Uptigrove pass (Jackson drawing the 2^nd assist). This would be all the offense needed as O’Grady & his defensive core stood strong earning the 2-0 shut-out.

Game 2 of the tourney pitted the Cycs against a good Petrolia Oilers team. This game featured several big hits as the ref let the 2 teams play on. This time it would be Fischer who would open the scoring, in the 1^st period,  as Josh Gottfried sent him in alone. As the game progressed it seemed to get chipper but still the ref let them play on. Petrolia would tie the game early in the 3^rd but undaunted Fischer would reply just minutes later for the Cycs (Reading assisting). Miller would seal the deal for the Cycs shortly after as he potted a Coelho rebound, securing the 3-1 victory.

The 3^rd and last round-robin game was against the Twin Centre Stars, whom the Cycs had played in their exhibition schedule. However the Stars showed how much they have improved as they gave the Cycs all they could handle. The game was a see-saw affair as both teams generating scoring chances. It wasn’t until the 3^rd period when the both Jamieson & Gottfried capped of a couple of brilliant short-handed efforts to secure the 6-4 victory. Finding the net for the Cycs this game was Reading, Miller, Jamieson (2), Jackson & Gottfried, while drawing assists were Uptigrove(2), McGrath, Jamieson(2), Jackson, Miller &  Gottfried.

The coaching staff was obviously pleased with teams’ efforts, especially as the team seemed to improve throughout the tourney. “The effort of our guys is terrific” notes coach Jerry Rozendal “once we get more consistent positionally and with our puck movement we’ll become even a tougher team to play against”. The team’s next tournament is in mid-November as they travel to Elmvale.

Front (L-R) Reid Gooding, Reese Reading, Josh Coelho, Luc Jamieson, Will Calder, Nic O'Grady & Curtis Jackson Middle Row (L-R) Owen Locke, Austin McGrath, Brett MacLeod, Cooper Miller, Josh Gottfried, Derek Fischer, Michael Uptogrove back Row Coaches (L-R) Jerry Rozendal, Larry Gordon, Brian Tucker, Bruce Fitzgerald & Rob Hollinger