The Novice Tri-County Storm would pack up their bags and head to the Falls playing in the March Break Classic Tournament in neighbouring Virgil part of the Niagara on the Lake Minor Hockey Association. Teammate Casyn Foster had arranged a previous engagement with Mickey Mouse but would be on the mind of the team regardless of his absence.
Game One for the team took place Monday at 1130 against the Clarington Thunder. Our boys seemed to be out of sorts throughout the game scrambling for the puck and not playing their positions properly. Perhaps, it was the Vegas for Kids atmosphere on Clifton Hill that had them pre-occupied. Regardless of their sloppy play, the firepower of the Storm would prevail in the end winning the game 5-3 and awarding player of the game to #20 Lleyton Ticknor who later in the tournament would have his very own visiting fan club in attendance.
The lads would then get the afternoon off and soak up the sights in Niagara Falls. Fun was had by all minus some of the hockey Dads who would be observed sobbing out of fear on the Skywheel while their kids laughed at them in delight.
A pre-supper Game Two went down against the Niagara on the Lake Team 3. The boys were improving their play in the match that turned into a battle of the goalies. Mooretown was facing a hot opponent goalie but #1 Ryerson Petrie was scorching as the team went on to win 4-2 and Petrie taking player of the game honours.
The team headed to Boston Pizza to celebrate a productive day then capped off the night with a swim in the hotel pool before packing it in for some early shuteye in preparation for what could be a busy three game Tuesday for the youngsters.
The tournament schedule proved to be beneficial to the Storm allowing the players (and some parents) to rest up for Game Three that was not until 1130 against NOTL Team 1. Mooretown was guaranteed a spot in the semi-finals but this tilt would determine where they would rank amongst the four teams that moved on. The Storm would be solid and take the game 3-1 with # 10 Colby Stewart garnering player of the game for his strong stay at home defenseman work that helped seal the deal.
Mooretown would finish their preliminary games 3-0 ranked first matching them up once again versus the fourth seeded team of Clarington at 150 in the semi-finals. Soon after the game was underway, Clarington came out hard shocking the players and fans alike with three goals to put the Storm in a hole that they would have to dig deep to find their way out. The refs would be busy sending many players to the sin bin as would the trainers who would tend to a few fallen players throughout the game. The coaching staff and fan chants of “Go Mooretown Go” would try and raise some chins rallying the team from the doldrums. With lots of hockey left to play, the team would not give up. Doing just that, the team came alive with Reese Hardick cutting the lead to 3-1 and the defense stepping up shutting the door. Jaxon Priddle would then take charge tying the game with two quick goals putting it back within reach. In the dying minutes and the refs taking names for a shootout, Priddle would then go on to score the winner to earn the team a come from behind 4-3 victory sending the Novice Storm to the tournament finals against an opponent yet to be decided.
Hometeam favourite NOTL 2 would be the opponent the boys faced in the final. With the same 4-0 tourney track record as the Storm, the boys knew that this is where they would have to play their best. The tunes were rocking in the dressing room as Hardick provided the team with his usual pre-game entertainment both in and out of the bathroom. As the players took to the ice, the fans were loud in support of the Storm. It would only take the team a few minutes before they released their barrage like they had done throughout most of the season. NOTL would be set back on their skates as our team clicked shift after shift. All the Mooretown players were contributing. With all lines firing and a superstrong rear flank, the team was netting the goals, killing off PKs, and building up the blue line wall while our goaltender kept the goose-egg up for the opponent. The opponent was unprepared for the swath of the Storm as Mooretown controlled the game from start to finish saving their best hockey for last bringing home the tournament championship courtesy of a stellar 7-1 win.
As the buzzer went, the Storm swarmed #1 in celebration of their achievement. The post-game line-up would allow them to receive their gold medals and the tournament cup while Petrie won the Mooretown Storm MVP for the tournament.
Good job Storm!
Player Roster