Feb 16, 2012 | Darryl Dalke | 1137 views
St. Catharines Tournament
The Ice Wolves travelled to St. Catharines this past weekend to take part in the 12th annual John MacDonald memorial MD tournament. The tournament was named after a former coach who held numerous roles in the CYO St. Catharines minor hockey league system.
The Ice Wolves would face a couple of their tier 1 competitors; Cambridge and Burlington along with a strong Brantford team.
The first game saw the Ice Wolves take on Brantford. Outplaying Brantford for most of the game the ice wolves would break the 0-0 tie with Cooper S scoring the goal from the top of the crease set up by Sam V. That would hold til late in the third. With less than 3 min remaining Brantford would kill off a penalty and streak in on a breakaway and put it past Ty. The game would end 1-1 with the Ice Wolves outshooting their opponents 21-13. Great effort Ice Wolves.
The Ice Wolves also entered the tournament skills competition and came away as the 2012 minor atom md winner. Winning teams in each age category won a $100 Boston pizza gift certificate.
A snowy Saturday would see the Ice Wolves face off against Cambridge. Going down 1-0 the Ice Wolves would remain energized. The Ice Wolves would respond, Sam V would tie the game at one on a backhand shot in the slot. Cambridge would again go ahead 2-1. Not backing down the Ice Wolves would claw back a second time and respond. Sam R off a feed from Tyler M would shoot and beat the goalie stick side just over the line. The referee would wave it off, but with Sam V parked right there, he would raise his arm in celebration seeing the puck cross the line. The referees after a short discussion and reviewing the goal mounted camera footage would allow the goal. With time ticking down Cambridge would look to go ahead but the goal would be called back on a high stick. The video review was in full use this game. The game would end 2-2. Shots were 15-11 Cambridge.
The final game was against Burlington.
The boys came out flying going up 1-0 in the first minute of the game. Sam V scoring the goal. That would hold til the midway point of the game. Burlington would tie it up. The Ice Wolves would respond quickly and regain the lead on a goal by Cooper S assisted by Sam V. The 2-1 would hold til late in the 3rd period. With 4 minutes left Burlington would tie the game. The physical chippy game would end in a tie. The Ice Wolves would out shoot their opponent 17-11.
Going unbeaten in the round robin the Ice Wolves would need help to get into the semis. Two game results would not help and the Ice Wolves would finish the tournament playing three strong games. The pizza party, pool play and mini sticks in the hotel would cap the weekend. Burlington would go on to become the tournament winner.