Mar 13, 2012 | NathanT | 918 views
March Break Kicks Off with 3 on 3 Action at Richmond Hill NTR
3 on 3
The mere mention of this should send shivers coursing through the quads of any player who has endured a 3 on 3 tournament at NTR! 5 games, non-stop, two shifts on an off the ice in 90 second intervals for 24 minutes straight. Tired? Tired is for the weak!
The Novice AE Clippers learned all about 3 on 3 on Monday, March 12th. Entering the dressing room full of chatter and excitement, and happily, re-entering the dressing room full of chatter and excitement. Finally spent, leaving the rink at 4pm, smiles on their faces and ready for bed.
The team put in two squads (Nick, Gabe, Hayden, Ethan, Jacob, Mick & Cal as the Chargers and Matthew M. (AP goalie), Colin (guest player from Scarborough house league, Jalen (AP), Alec, Allan, Matthew G and Connor as the Bombers). The first match up had Clipper versus Clipper, which was not a bad warm up to the day as both benches had a lot to learn about quick line changes, chasing the puck even after an offside goalie save (no face-offs), chasing down penalty shots and resuming play on the fly - all this designed to increase the pace of the game and keep the puck and players moving. You would expect big scores to be posted, unless you have seen Nick in action and our budding goalie star, Matthew M. steal chances from ace shooters. Admittedly, it took our D-laden Bombers some time to realize no one was going after the dump in over the blue line, but once Owen and Allan had a taste of scoring and picking off rebounds... well let's just say they may never be the same.
The two teams landed 2nd and 3rd in placement heading to the finals, and had to face one another yet again. This time the Bombers kept the Chargers more in check, but our Clipper top guns were fired up and they took the game with a 3-1 victory after some impressive and aggressive play out there on both sides. Our forwards were robbed a number of times, cut off by heavy handed defensive maneuvering and big stops by Matthew between the posts.
The Chargers went on to the Championship round, losing by a close margin (4-2) to the Orange Crushers who were very organized out there and had some talent with quick moves. The Bombers played a consolation round, losing out to the Red team 4-0, as the jelly-legs set in and the sharp shooting shut down for the day.
All in all, a winning day of creative and exhausting, fast-paced and strategic hockey. BIG THANKS to the volunteer coaches on both benches and to the many parents who brought treats for the players and sibs.
3 on 3
Do it if you dare!!!