It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.............
The Minor Midget Select Wolves participated in their first tournament of the season, the West London Annual Hockey Tournament, on Feb 3 - 5th.
The first game was a sluggish 1-0 loss to Warren Park on Friday night, followed by a 3 - 1 loss against Burlington on Saturday morning.
The Wolves re-grouped, knowing that a victory against the undefeated Vaughan team was needed to secure a berth in the Championship round on Sunday.
Vaughan jumped to an early 1 - 0 lead and, inspired by the play of several teammates who scarified their bodies, the Wolves fought back to tie the game in the 2nd and then took a 2 -1 lead late in the 3rd.
Vaughan, already assured of a spot in the playoff round and citing an inability to read and understand the multiple TV screens in the rink complex, decided to pull their goalie and go for the tie.
In a heartbreaking desperation shot with 1/2 a second left, Vaughan managed to tie the game and celebrate like Toronto fans when the Leafs actually make the playoffs.
The fate of the Wolves was left to the "Hockey Gods" with their only chance being a tie between the two bottom team, Ajax and Clarkson. The unbelievers left early while the faithful held a candle light vigil in the lobby, anxiously watching the screen for signs of the second coming.
The gods smiled on the Wolves as Ajax and Clarkson tied 4 - 4 giving the Wolves a .02% lead in the GF/GA tie breaker and moving them to a showdown against the dominant Burlington Bulldogs.
Sunday morning, the atmosphere was focused and, after a rousing talk by Captain Evan, the Wolves rose to the occasion and trounced Burlington 4 - 0!
The world was right again and the Wolves had regained their mojo!!
The Championship game was set as a rematch against Warren Park.
A meal of comfort food at Denny's and the Wolves were recharged!!
Again, Captain Evan rallied the troops while the coaching staff nervously paced the hallways.
The Wolves jumped to an early lead with a blistering slap shop from outside the blue line that tore the glove off the Warren Park goalie, only to be called back for being offside. Undaunted, the Wolves did it again with another rocket from the point to take a 1 - 0 lead.
Frustrated, Warren Park retaliated with everything that had, including their fists but the Wolves remained unbowed by the tactics, refusing to be drawn in and resulting in two ejections for Warren Park and 12 minutes in penalties.
End to end action ensued and with under 2 minutes left, Warren Park finally managed to jam it in, setting up a 10 minute sudden death period.
4 on 4 for 10 minutes, the entire Wolves bench played their hearts out, skating end to end.
Sudden death ended with game locked in a 1 - 1 tie, setting up the shoot out!
First shots resulted in a goal by both teams.
1 - 1
Second shots, Waterloo stoned Warren Park while sniping another goal.
2 -1 Waterloo
Third shots, Warren Park jams it in while Waterloo bangs in another
3 - 2 in shots and Waterloo has the Championship!!!
Coach Brad celebrates and the fans go wild!!!
To see the celebrations, click here
London Tournament Celebrations!