The ATOM AE team would like to send out congrats to the ST THOMAS NOVICE STARS on their successful win of the ST THOMAS TOURNAMENT
For the ST THOMAS ATOM AE STARS it was a rollercoaster ride of emotions with:
3-1 win over Woodstock Navy Vets - game 1
1-1 tie with Woolwich Wildcats – game 2
4-2 win over Essex Ravens – game 3
Getting the team into the semi finals and then a devastating 4-1 loss to the Oshawa Minor Generals
GAME 1 – overview - 3-1 win over Woodstock Navy Vets
In the first period Devin Robison-Sareh scored twice within a minute to get the game winning goal. Tysen Hunter from a pass from Dylan Buhler down the wing scored to secure the lead. Protecting the lead the defensive play of teammates Josh Levesque and Caden Beshara, kept Woodstock forwards bottlenecked in the centre of the ice. Effectively getting in the way of the goalie and screening his view was Ryan Farrell and Ryan Payne.
Matt Beckwith played one solid game, keeping the team in the game. Matt not only stood his ground, he stopped a couple of breakaways that Woodstock were sure they would score on.
GAME 2 – overview - 1-1 tie with Woolwich Wildcats
Tysen Hunter scored the only goal in the game from a breakaway down the wing and cut in play, deaking the goalie. Defensively, Noah Allen and Carson Nurse kept getting in the face and chipping at the centremen’s stick to stop any scoring opportunity. David Gauthier and Josh Hare played with heart and mind as they tracked the puck down and wore down Woolwich’s defense. Cameron Watson kept battling for the puck, charging the net and making the wingers cringe on the boards.
In net for the ATOM AE STARS was Chris Wood, who again and again and again made the timely saves for the team to hang on for the tie. Chris used all of his equipment to save the goals from skates to the butt end of his stick. You know the goalie is hot, when he does the splits, seems that he’s out of the play but then robs the shooter.
GAME 3 – overview - 4-2 win over Essex Ravens
Tysen Hunter once again led the team with a hat trick in this game, getting the game winning goal. Devin Robison-Sareh got the forth goal on a long shot into Essex’s empty net as they pulled the goalie. Josh Allen and Sam Graham paired effectively on defense to chip the puck out to the wingers. Sam Graham also fired up his defensive team to not let them loose focus on this game and play their hardest for the win. Noah Dos Santos stole the puck so many times from the forwards of Essex, they were getting frustrated and tried to shut him down. Noah continually fought for the puck and won the battles to the net. With no exception, this had to be the best come back team victory to date for the ATOM AE squad, going into the third down 2-1. Knowing that if they wanted to play on Sunday they had to come together and with a motivational speech from the bench the boys vowed “let’s win this game.”
In net with a magical act that Copperfield would appreciate was Matt Beckwith. Matt not only again kept the team in the game, but came up with a lifetime game changing save. Essex had a three on none breakaway and as the crowd and the coaches held their breath, Matt made the puck disappear.
With this win the kids could celebrate winning their pool and off to the semi-finals.
GAME 4 – overview - 4-1 loss to the Oshawa Minor Generals
In the first period, it was all ST THOMAS ATOM AE and then the momentum changed as the first ST THOMAS goal was disallowed. The boys didn't seem to recover until the third. Caden Beshara made a few sweet moves, out skated everyone and scored over the goalie’s shoulder.
The ATOM AE team came out of the depression and played a solid third period, but it was too late. The fore checking of Oshawa and their determination to get to the finals was just too much.
The ST THOMAS ATOM AE team would also like to congratulate the Oshawa Minor Generals in winning the ST THOMAS TOURNAMENT.
On a final view of the tournament the ST THOMAS ATOM AE team would like to thank all the efforts of the STMHA staff and volunteers for all their hard work. The organization of the tourney was flawless. We would like to also thank all the sponsors, parents. KUMA staff and arena staff; without you there would be no tournament. Not only did we get to play some exciting hockey, we had a lot of fun, met some new friends and learned that team play is the key to success.
GO STARS GO!!!!!!