Jan 01, 2012 | bmiller | 288 views
Schlueter Hyundai Christmas Tournament CHAMPS!!
Schlueter Hyundai completed the annual Christmas Tournament with a perfect 5-0-0 record.
On December 29 Schlueter played their final round robin against the Kitchener Rangers. The team had already punched their ticket to the semi finals, but they still played hard in a highly competitive game.
The line of Davis, Duquette, and J. DeMers started the team off on their right foot, scoring the first goal of the game just eight seconds in. The score would remain the same until early in the second, when the line of Dietrich, Noble, and Brookes added Schlueters second goal of the game.
The team failed to keep the momentum though as the Rangers would score two quick goals before the end of the period to tie the game at two. The line of Davis, Duquette, and J. DeMers would come through again scoring the go ahead goal as well as an empty netter to secure the victory.
The line of Horvath, Flanders, and Anderson played an excellent game with many scoring chances, but played an excellent defensive game as well. The same can be said for the defense pairings of Haney and Elhedhli, Steffler and Garland, along with Domaratzki and Jones. They were able to show fantastic positional play, an even took the opportunity for a few offensive rushes.
C. DeMers played well in goal especially when the game was tied.
On December 30 Schlueter met Skills Plus in the semi-finals, which turned out to be an exciting see-saw battle. The team once again had a quick start as the line of Davis, Duquette, and J. DeMers scored the first goal of the game. That would prove to be the only goal of the period though, and the second period was more of the same story. There were no goals scored in the period until the line of Dietrich, Noble, and Brookes scored with just over a minute left.
The pace quickly picked up though as the line of Davis, Duquette, and J. DeMers scored early in the third to give Schlueter a three goal lead. This is when the game got interesting as their was seven goals scored, as well as a penalty shot before the end of the game.
After goalie C. DeMers made a sensational save on the Skills Plus penalty shot, the opposition was able to slip two goals past to make it a three two game. Schlueter responded well under pressure though scoring three unanswered goals including one marker from the line of Horvath, Flanders, and Anderson.
Skills Plus was able to score one more goal of their own before Schlueter scored an empty netter to seal the victory.
The defense played well in a tough offensive battle and the pairing of Garland and Steffler were even able to add an assist on one the Schlueter goals. The pairings of Haney and Elhedhli along with Domaratzki and Jones also played well holding an strong offensive team in Skills Plus to the goals.
C. DeMers had a great game in goal making many spectacular saves including the penalty shot.
After the exciting semi-finals Schlueter was set to face Libro in the finals. The team was forced to deal with some adversity as Libro took a one goal lead mid way through the first were able to hold it until late in the second. The momentum would change as the lines of Horvath, Flanders and Anderson along with Dietrich, Noble, and Brookes both had strong offensive shifts keeping sustained pressure in the Libro end. These strong shifts set the tone for the line of Davis, Duquette, and J. DeMers to score two quick goals to take a one goal lead.
Libro was once again able to tie the game though, adding to the drama. Once again the Schlueter team showed that they can play well under pressure with excellent shifts coming from all three lines. The team was able to score the go ahead goal with six minutes remaining which proved to be all that was needed as they scored an empty net goal to make it a four two final.
The defense pairings played well holding Libro, who had scored eleven goals in four games, to only two in the contest. Haney and Elhedhli, Steffler and Garland as well as Domaratzki and Jones played their usual strong defense, especially when the team was down by a goal. They were able to keep the game within reach giving the team the chance to win.
C. DeMers had another good game, making key saves in the last few minutes of the game even after being involved in a heavy collision.
The kids all had a great tournament and should be proud of the way they played. Thanks to the parents for putting in a long week and for volunteering in the tournament office.
Hopefully the team can keep the momentum rolling right into the London tournament and have another fun weekend!