Clippers Wrap Up Season in Semi-Final Shoot Out at the Pickering Year End Tourney
It's hard to believe - but it is now finally over!
Our Clipper Minor Atom AE squad formed a team approximately 11 months ago - some returning players, some new... One returning coach, 3 new... All fueled with enthusiasm and ready to become a TEAM.
Coach Ross kicked off the year, meeting with the families and stating up front - this is about development. These kids are all talented. They all have room to grow. That's what we're about. And we're going to be a competitive team. The kids will learn what it takes to "compete".
Let the record book tell the story on the Minor Atom AE Clippers for 2012-2013... Compete they did. Each and every one of the squad brought up their games - improved their personal best - and formed a solid team.
The team finished 4th overall, in a tight battle for top position, ending within a 2 points of third and 3 points of second place.
| Regular Season |
WINS |
LOSSES |
TIES |
GF |
GA |
Win % |
POINTS |
|
TNT
|
22
|
4
|
4
|
124
|
32
|
80.0%
|
48
|
Richmond Hill
|
21
|
5
|
4
|
132
|
46
|
76.7%
|
46
|
Barrie
|
20
|
5
|
5
|
108
|
47
|
75.0%
|
45
|
Stouffville
|
21
|
8
|
1
|
120
|
38
|
71.7%
|
43
|
In the early going, the team went on to an unparalleled 11 game winning streak. Aaron and Matthew together earned 9 shutouts over 64 games, supported by total goals scored (including tourneys, playoffs, and exhibition) of 182 to 107 against. The team lost, count them, 11 games by a single goal, including 5 playoff games and 5 regular season matches by that singleton point. Fans amongst us can recount the crossbars and the near misses that gave us all a thrill and affirmation in our belief that we were on the doorstep in just about each and every game. I just can't resist also mentioning the 9 other losses where the point spread was 2 goals. Critics might point out the reverse, we also won 8 games by a singleton - again demonstrating the tight battles faced throughout the season.
Andrew, our stats man, faithfully kept track of the goals and assists, and he and Craig made sure the Irish and Wolverines had their fair share of Green and Blue "points" as the season sped up in the second half. You see, the numbers only tell a small part of this team's story. The sub-plots were plentiful. Wolverines taking top points in the relay races; Irish taking more total "STARS" in the skills and drills... and hard to say who prevailed over the many practice shoot-outs! The boys had as much fun keeping track of their GO BLUE and GO IRISH rivalry, as they had playing hockey.
What counted most this year? Well everyone will have their 'thing' - their best memories. Our Rochester excursions and going to Clarkson vs RIT - pretty fantastic. Playing at the RICOH Centre and watching the Marlies, complete with Team Bus, definitely a do-again experience (minus the puck in the face - but that is another story). Home Opener with the Cavanagh 5 Star Accommodations - truly unbelievable and great fun. The Killer-Ilir Sessions - not for the faint of heart, but man did the kids get their work outs. A great track record, contending in every playoff series.
The kids held up their end of Ross' deal: "Play Like a Champion".
Here is wishing you all a great, safe spring and summer season. May the best of the Minor Atom AE experiences be treasured to you in the years ahead, and keep this true, wherever your paths take you, "Play Like a Champion" in all you endeavour to do.