St.Thomas Major Bantams Win Gold, News (St. Thomas Minor Hockey)

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2014-2015 Bantam A ('00) | Dec 31, 2014 | tjohnston | 2009 views
St.Thomas Major Bantams Win Gold
The St.Thomas Millcreek Plumbing Bantam Team participated in the 45th annual Wayne Gretzky International Hockey Tournament.

The St.Thomas team knew they would be in tough during this tourney as the host team Brantford was ranked 5th best in Ontario, along with New Hamburg Huskies who were ranked in the top 10. Also teams from Atlanta and Hong Kong were in their division.

Game 1 St.Thomas played Kitchener Rangers. The Rangers scored a late 3rd period goal with one minute and 11 seconds left in the game.  It ended up being a heart breaking tie for the Jr. Stars.

Game 2 New Hamburg started the scoring. However the Stars tied the game in the second period. In the 3rd period it was a sea saw battle, end to end but St.Thomas found the net and had a empty net goal to win 3-1.

Game 3 St.Thomas played the host team Brantford 99ers.  This was a hard fought game but was similar to the Kitchener game.  The 99ers scored a late 3rd period goal to tie the Stars 3-3.

Game 4 The Grimsby Peach Kings entered this game without allowing any goals against to their first 3 opponents.  St.Thomas was unable to change this but the Stars kept the Kings off the score sheet as well for a 0-0 tie.

After round robin play St.Thomas was seeded to play another tilt with New Hamburg. This proved to be a very entertaining game as St.Thomas was down 2-0 midway through the 2nd period.  The Stars managed to net one to close the gap but the Huskies quickly responded to make it 3-1.  Fast and furious play continued and the Stars made it 3-2 with the 3rd period to play. The plumbers evened the score in the 3rd and sent the game into overtime.  After 3 minutes of 4 on 4 play it was still tied. Next was 3 on 3 play for 6 minutes and the Stars scored WOW what an exciting game!

Semi Finals In earlier play Atlanta upset and eliminated the host team Brantford 99ers in overtime.  This meant St.Thomas had to play Grimsby.  St.Thomas jumped out with an early first period goal.  The Peach Kings responded in the 2nd but so did the Stars. The Stars had a 2-1 lead until Grimsby scored at 3:18 left in the 3rd.  Another overtime drama filled game. This was a real nail bitter. However the Plumbers scored after 12 minutes of overtime play.

The Finals WOW, what a set up with the World JR'S on and Canada ready to play the USA.  Here in Gretzky's home town we have St.Thomas set to battle a team from Atlanta.  After playing the 2 overtime heart pounding games in the quarters and semis, this one was a bit of a yawner. The Stars scored first and controlled most of the game. Atlanta scored late but in the end the Stars won 3-1.  Coaches Terry Johnston & Jamie Allison were very proud of the boys.  " These boys DON'T stop and DON'T get down. They battled hard and they wore their hearts on their sleeves."  "I've NEVER seen so many blocked shots and determination as a TEAM. These boys are a TRUE CLASS ACT and are very, very disciplined."  Having a hand shake and a pat on the back by Wayne Gretzky's dad Walter was a great finishing touch to a terrific undefeated 7 games.  Well done boys and get ready for the OMHA Playdowns!

Also a special thanks to all the parents & grandparents for their time commitment and support over this holiday season.

Sponsors
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