Storm at The Stanley Taggart Tournamnet.
On Friday the 9th of November, 2012 the Mooretown Storm Novice rep team took part in the Stanley Taggart Memorial Hockey tournament at the Moore Sports Complex.
The Storm knew going in that they would have to elevate there play as 2 of the 3 teams in the tournament were “A” division centers.
The Storm began the tournament on the Friday morning and looked good as theytook on the Milton Winterhawks novice “A” squad. The Storm played even with the Winterhawks trading scoring chances throughout the game. Caleb Laframboise put together a great performance earning him a shutout. This was in part, thanks to some excellent back checking including Zak Cottrelle hustling back to take away a Milton breakaway. In the final minute of the game Matty Anderson sent a pass to a waiting Graham Armstrong who connected with a beauty one timer. Unfortunately the Milton net minder was up to the task and the game ended in a 1-1 tie.
Next up for the Storm, was the Niagara on the Lake novice “B” Wolves. The Wolves started the scoring despite the Storm appearing to control much of the play. Not long after, the Storm had a chance to tie as they were awarded a penalty shot for a Wolves player putting his hand on the puck. Owen MacDonald took the shot and was denied by the Wolves’ tender. The Storm were eventually rewarded for their hard work when Owen McCowan fore checking in the right corner of the rink, threw the puck on net beating the Wolves’ goalie. McCowan was at it again a short time later as Matty Anderson fired a hard shot on net from the left wing circle. McCowan and Blake Broumpton both charged the goal jamming away at the puck until the Referees signaled the goal.
The Storm had an early start Saturday morning as they faced the Innisfil novice “A” Winterhawks team. The Storm played the Innisfil team to a 0-0 tie in the first period with the Storm having good puck control and scoring chances. In the second period the Innisfil team scored a bit of a weird goal as their player let a looping high backhand go from the blue line that found its way to the top corner of the Storm net. Innisfil scored again and the period ended with Innisfil leading 2-0.
The 3rd period started with the Storm having to kill off a 5 on 3 penalty. Innisfil made good on the power play and began to fill the Storm net. The Storm ended up scoring one late as Anderson again fired the puck from the left wing and the waiting Broumpton buried the rebound.
In the end the Storm showed they could hang with some very talented teams. The Storm missed continuing to the finals after counting goals for and against. This set up a battle of Winterhawks Milton verses Innisfil. Innisfil ended up winning the tournament.
The Storm gained valuable experience by playing tough competition as they prepare to take on the league leading Lambeth team on Tuesday night.
On behalf of the Storm Novice team, I would like to thank the organizers and volunteers of the tournament for the hard work that went into this well run event. As well, the efforts of the Hockey Mom’s should be recognized as I observed them to arrive early and leave late working tirelessly to generate further funds for Mooretown Minor Hockey.
GO STORM GO