The Peewee Wolverines participated in the Jason Cripps
memorial tournament over the Christmas break in Kitchener.
The Wolverines would have a re-match against
Central Perth Predators to kick off the tournament in game 1. Despite the Wolverines controlling the play
for most of the game and a number of good scoring chances the Wolverines would
have to settle with a 0-0 tie to start the tournament thanks to some great
goaltending by the Central Perth net minder.
Player of the game award went to Aleah.
The Wolverines would play Waterloo Ravens 2 in game 2 the next day. The Wolverines would break out with 2 goals in the first period, add another in the 2nd period and find the mesh 6 more times in the 3rd period! Combined with their strong back checking, shutdown defence and timely saves from the Wolverines net minder it would keep Waterloo off the board and the Wolverines would skate to a 9-0 shutout! Player of the game award went to Devin.
The final game of round robin play would have the Wolverines hit the ice against the Ayr Rockets. A win for either team would send them to the semi-finals with a loss creating possible tie break scenarios with Central Perth in order for the Wolverines to get into the 2nd semi-final seeding. Ayr would prove they were not fazed by the 5-2 defeat suffered earlier in the season during league play and would keep the Wolverines on their toes for the duration of this game. The Wolverines would score the only goal of the game just before the end of the 1st period and the Wolverines net minder would have to come up with some big saves in order to preserve the 1-0 shutout that would send the Wolverines to the semi-finals. Player of the game went to net minder Kasey.
The Wolverines would draw the Grand River Mustangs 1 in the semi-final. The two teams would play 2 periods of scoreless hockey before the Wolverines would find the net early in the 3rd period. They would add another goal late in the 3rd to close out their 4th shutout of the tournament and punch their ticket to the Finals. Player of the game award went to Faith.
This would set up a meeting with the Grand River Mustangs 2 - the only other team that was unbeaten in the 1st half of the season during league play. The Wolverines would break the 0-0 tie late in the 1st period and quiet the Grand River fans. Grand River would push back in the 2nd period and tie the score late in the 2nd period, ending the shutout run for the Wolverines just short of 14 periods of hockey. Grand River would add another goal on a deflection from a friendly stick early in the 3rd period and the Wolverines were unable to come back and tie the score before the end of regulation. Player of the game award went to Lauryn.
The Wolverines would have to settle for the Silver medal in the tournament after an amazing 13 GF and 2 GA run.
The Wolverines get set to kick off the 2nd half of league play and will also be hosting their own tournament starting January 12th at Waterloo Rec Complex.
By: Rick Livingstone