Feb 19, 2013 | Joe Heinisch | 618 views
Team Allstate Insurance February Freeze Champions
Tuesday February 19, 2013
Game Reporter: Jay Nijhuis
It was a weekend marked on the calendar that both the coaching staff and players were looking forward to for weeks. An opportunity to go on the road for a couple of days, stay in a hotel, eat out, play mini sticks, swim and oh yeah, play some hockey against teams we have never seen before. It's the 2013 February Freeeze Hockey Tournament in Scarborough.
The first game was Friday February 15/13 at 1pm in the Heron Park Arena as Team Allstate Insurance put on the gear to face Barrie RCAF. Parents, Players and Coaches all pondered pre-game what kind of team Barrie RCAF would be and how the Boys in Black would match up. It didn't take long to find out as 4 minutes into the first period Captain Joe V. showed off his mad skills with an end to end rush resulting in a goal and a 1-0 lead. Then Wes S. said to the Captain "anything you can do I can do" with his own end to end rush and goal making it 2-0 with 2:30 left in the 1st.
The onslaught continued in the second period with goals by Jonah V., Wes S., Joe V., and finally a goal by Barrie RCAF on a tipped in shot from the point. The score after 2 periods was 5-1.
The boys in black continued their strong play in the 3rd period with a goal by Ty C. and a last second goal by Joe V. completing his hat trick and making the final score 7-1 for the good guys. Goaltender Jack L. was spectacular in this game with incredible kick saves and blocker saves that kept Barrie RCAF from getting into the game.
The next game was at the Canlan Ice Park on Markham Rd at 4:00pm against another team from Barrie Nutrition Plus. Once again Team Allstate got off to a quick start with a goal by Tyler H. 3:30 into the first period. Perhaps the boys were starting to believe their own press because just :20 seconds later Barrie Nutrition Plus tied up the game with a wicked wrist shot glove side from the high slot to tie the game 1-1. The key for Team Allstate was a quick response, and they got it with a goal just 2 minutes later from Ty C. as he banged in a rebound from a Joe V. shot making it 2-1. From that point on it was all Team Allstate with goals from Ty C. followed by a natural hat trick from Captain Joe V. making the final score 6-1.
Heading into the final game of the round robin on Saturday February 16 at Canlan Ice Park, this reporter witnessed many parents trying to do the math to figure out if two wins was enough to guarantee a spot in the semi final Saturday night. After some head scratching, all agreed it would just be easier if the boys won to guarantee a spot. They prepared for a game against Westhill Team 27 and the nerves got the best of the Boys in Black as Westhill Team 27 scored first 2 minutes into the period on a loose puck rebound in the crease. The second period started of well with Joe V. chipping the puck off the boards to a streaking Liam J. who broke in alone and scored making it 1-1. Then the game broke open half way through the 2nd period with Wes S and Joe V both going end to end to score gorgeous goals making it 3-1 after two periods. Early in the 3rd Ty C scored on a blast from the right wing and then Westhill Team 27 scored to make it 4-2 and cause a little bit of doubt, at least for the parents. There was no need to worry however as Ty C, Wes S and Joe V all scored in the third to make the final score 7-2 and guarantee Team Allstate a spot in the semi final game later Saturday night.
The semi final was at 8:15pm at the Malvern Arena and we discovered that we would be having a rematch with Barrie Nutrition Plus. It was important for the coaching staff to remind the boys that this would not be an easy game just because we beat them 6-1 on Friday. Coach Joe and Coach Ray instead reminded the Boys in Black that Barrie was probably upset that their only loss in the tournie was too us and that Barrie would be ready to get revenge. Well they were right as this game was a back and forth nail biter and the goalie for Barrie Nutrition Plus was unbelievable stopping anything that came close to his crease. Team Allstate Goaltender Jack L was also fantastic and the only goal scored in the game came on a broken play off a face-off in the Barrie zone where Liam J took a quick shot after winning the draw and scoring short side against a shocked goalie. Final score in the Semi Final was 1-0 guaranteeing Team Allstate a ticket to the Championship Game.
The irony of the Championship was that we were in Scarborough and ended up playing for the title against Team Lowe's Home Improvement from Waterloo, a team we had lost and tied in our regular season. Well, it was our destiny to win this February Freeze Tournament as Team Allstate absolutely dominated the game with 3 goals from Liam J and fantastic performances from Joe V, Wes S, Ty C and a beautiful goal from Tyler H. The whole team played a perfect game both on offence and defence and ended up winning the game 7-1 and stood at centre ice when it was all said and done getting the Championship Medals and the banner which will be hung with pride from the rafters of Albert McCormick Arena.
Outside of the 5-0 performance in this Tournament, many memories will be taken away from this fun road trip. Players got to know each other better and grow friendships, play mini sticks, swim and roam the halls with some independence they don't normally get. Parents got a chance to get to know each other better over a few beers, and how can we forget the 3 hour dinner at Shoeless Joe's. I think this reporter can sum up the February Freeze Tournament experience like this.....
"Why don't you pay 100% and never come back!"