Stouffville Earns Latest Championship Title as Novice AE Take YSL Finals in Three Straight
Congratulations to our Novice AE Clippers on their victorious series and Championship Win as the squad put away the Aurora Tigers on Saturday, March 24th in a three game sweep against the odds-maker favourites.
The series started at Aurora's home ice with a quick three goal lead for the Clippers, which put the Tigers quickly on their heels. With a number of chances awarded, the Tigers started a come-back push, scoring two, but the Clippers wound it up again, adding an insurance goal. The final tally came in at 4-3 for the Clippers, putting up 2 points to the underdogs.
Game 2 saw the Tigers hosted at Stouffville's Pad A on Friday, March 23rd. The the parent crowd was prepared with the stands filled in Clipper jerseys and a hugely positive vibe as the Clippers took to the ice. Aurora came out strong and with something to prove, but in the end Aurora couldn't get enough action to foil Nick VK's game.While the Tigers found their way to get 2 goals, the Clippers outpaced them with 4,with not too many shots but we definitely made the ones we had count! Game 2 ended in a 4-2 win for the hometown Clipper crew.
Equipment still damp from the game the night before, the Clippers resumed play on the 25th at the Aurora Community Centre. It would be a lot to have expected a consecutive win, with Aurora coming on stronger in game 2, home ice advantage, and a do-or-die determination settling in by the Tigers. The Clipper fashionistas and sibling cheering squads came out in full form, ready-or-not for a win, but determined to make some noise and ensure that the Clipper Novice AE team would have no doubt - they have our full support and are All-Stars to us.
Aurora capitalized early on a chance in the first period, posting a 1-0 lead, which held through the first buzzer. The Tigers put up a great deal of pressure but our defensive play was strong, and many of the forwards were on deck to clear errant pucks from making it to the crease when the pressure mounted. Finally the Clippers tied up the game and kept everyone on the edge of their seats through the next period and a half, and ever-more-so as the time ticked toward a certain over-time. With under 2 minutes, Connor broke the mounting tension by popping in another goal for the Clippers, making the score 2-1 and 2 goals for the night to #13.
As Aurora pulled their netminder in a last ditch effort to force over-time, the Clippers found their groove and looked even more confident in the final minutes of the game than at the start. Willpower, focus and a whole season of hardwork all came through as the crowd counted down the final 8 seconds of puck play in the neutral zone. The Clippers had dodged any offensive attack, and game 3 ended with a hard fought 2-1 victory for the Clippers.
The Novice AE Clippers are Stouffville's latest success story, earning a York-Simcoe Champion Banner in their inaugural year playing rep hockey. CONGRATS to the kids for their hardwork, sportsmanship, teamwork and LOVE of HOCKEY. Sincerest thanks to our coaches, Phil von Kaufmann (Head Coach and motivator!), Carlo Simone (assistant coach & tough guy in the dressing room and on the bench), Dave Arbuckle (defense coach and most patient teacher), and John Kroupis (trainer, and focus coach for pre-game warm-ups).
What a tremendous season!
WELL DONE NOVICE AE CLIPPERS!!! CONGRATS!
