The Novice Reps would be in a holding pattern until the game between Wallaceburg and Clarington was decided on Sunday morning. While the coaching staff scouted at the arena and awaited the result, the boys would be at home downing Frosted Flakes and OJ prepping for the alarm bell that would send them to the rink for the final at 1110. The Storm had lost to the unbeaten Lakers yesterday but knocked off Clarington on Friday. Wallaceburg was guaranteed a berth in the championship but a Clarington win meant the Storm were toast. Lots of factors were in play but the Storm were ready!
Once the buzzer went it was the Lakers winning by a score of 6-1 and the Storm had the better goal differential. We were bound for the finals!
With a strong fan base in the stands for both sides, the game got underway to delight of the crowd. The Storm got off to a good start skating and passing the way they had been coached. They controlled the first period and kept the puck in the Wallaceburg end for most of it. The Storm defence core played top notch clearing the puck away and keeping goalie JJ out of trouble. Mooretown got on the board first with a blast from Doxtator from just over the blue line that the Laker goalie stopped but bobbled from the power of #8 resulting in it going in the back of the net. The goal would pump some adrenaline into the boys and off they went dominating the way the home fans wanted them too. Priddle would get the next marker catching the side of the net on a nice ice level shoot in that put the Storm up by two. That lead took the wind out of the Laker sails but Mooretown had to get it in their heads that there was lots of hockey left to play. Jack “The Cat” Joseph pulled a few saves of the games with his panther-like prowess amazing the fans with his abilities. The Storm’s offence would not end at two. Casyn Foster was the number three scorer using his skill and linemates’ teamwork to find the right spot beating the goalie and busting the gap open to three.
Period number three was the test for the boys. The pace was still high and the question was whether the team could hold it together for the big win! Both teams were starting to tire and the Storm was starting to allow too many chances in front of JJ. Fortunately for him, the defence had shown up to play only allowing Wallaceburg one goal from the many chances they had. When the puck was within inches of the goal line, our D-core would clear it out of harm’s way.
With the minutes winding down, the Storm dug deep and kept the chances to a minimum while the fans chomped their fingernails from the edge of their seats. The Lakers’ pulled the goalie in the last sixty seconds to add the extra attacker but Mooretown found the strength to make sure the puck didn’t find the back of the twine. The seconds fell off the clock and although Wallaceburg made it a nailbiter in the final period, the Novice Reps would be the Champions at their home 2013 tournament.
