MPW AE Bring Home the Hardware from Columbus Day Tourney in Niagara Falls NY, News, Minor PeeWee "AE", 2014-2015, Rep (Whitchurch Stouffville Minor Hockey Association)

This Team is part of the 2014-2015 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Oct 15, 2014 | AlecT | 783 views
MPW AE Bring Home the Hardware from Columbus Day Tourney in Niagara Falls NY
The MPW AE Clippers headed south for Thanksgiving, attending their first away tournament in state-side Niagara Falls, NY.  Truth be told, in the early planning stages there was much hope that the tourney would see the Clippers coming back well in time to enjoy Thanksgiving Monday amidst the homestead with all the trimmings.  But the tournament schedule was such that which ever way you cut it, the team would play game 3 early Monday morning.  As in EARLY.  Like remember timbits-hockey EARLY???  

With the die cast, and strong momentum carrying the team into game 3, the coaches knew they were looking at the solid prospect of taking home the championship, if they could keep the Clippers focussed and out of the pool between games on Monday.  This was weighing on Coach Ross’ mind heavily … what better way to re-gain Lucy’s approval rating??? Grandma #27 was distinctly not impressed that Coach Ross was ‘off-side’ taking Michael state-side for Thanksgiving!!!

 

The Clippers headed into the finals with 11 ½ points (1 point per period won; split points for tied periods; 2 points for the win).  Game one on Saturday versus South Point landed in a 2-2 draw giving each team tied points, and waking up the Clippers to the reality that you can outshoot the opponent; you can dance and dangle the opponent; but you cannot beat the opponent unless you penetrate their defensive collapse and move the puck to finally find the opening.  For game 2 on Sunday (even EARLIER by the way – as in 7:30am!!!) the Clippers found their mojo, putting up 6 goals versus a singleton against, making for a decisive win against the hometown Coyotes.  At this point the team knew they would be champion game contenders, and faced the opposing Pittsburg Predators to what should have been an easy win early Monday morning.  Yet this proved a challenge through two scoreless periods.  The knot was broken almost half way through the third, when David ripped one from the top of the circle, fooling the goalie over the shoulder.  A second goal was netted shortly afterward giving some relief for all the mounting tension in this slo-mo game.  The final, including an empty netter, was 3-0 in favour of Stouffville. Lovely shut out for #31.

 

This meant that by 9:30am on Thanksgiving (Columbus Day), the Clippers had solidified top spot for the finals.  Families scattered back to pack up and rest up for another chance for a Tournament win.  Given the tie game against the South Point Rink Rats (finalists for the show down and re-match from the game 1), and the sluggish play early Monday morning, there was room to be concerned.  Wins are not entitlements, and are never  guaranteed.  Game 4 would no doubt prove to be the toughest game… Or would it?

 

By this point the coaches had made a lot of adjustments.  Lines, strategies, convincing the forwards to use the point shot, D-men sneaking inside the high slot, aggressive pinching, and way more passing.  The South Point goalie was practically assaulted with shots high and low, right side and left.  The scoreboard did little to recognize the dominance of the Clipper team throughout the play.  The final, 5-0 was testimony enough and high marks to the Rink Rat goaltender for a strong game in spite of the scoreboard. Kudos to Adrian (#50) in net who also earned a shut out with some acrobatics of his own to steal away any sniper points. The MPW AE Clippers finally brought home the hardware reflecting a lot of hard work, and to be balanced, a lot of hard play too.

 
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Enormous thanks for away tourney organizing by Josephine Burrows, who kept us all well fed and selected a hotel with wide open spaces for outdoor (and indoor) man-hunt and an amazing pool, with sauna to boot.  Great fun for those who enjoyed excursions to NCAA hockey in Niagara Falls NY on Friday evening, and those more adventurous also enjoyed game 2 for Clarkson at RIT on Saturday evening as well.

 

And… we made it back for Thanksgiving dinner on Monday evening.

 

Way to go Clippers! 

 

Check out some snapshots in our Niagara Tourney Gallery.  Follow this link...

Columbus Day Niagara Falls NY