ATOM AE finishes the season with some hard play and a lot of heartbreak and a lot of PRIDE IN OUR YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
After winning the Oshawa tournament the team was off to the OMHA quarter finals against the Marriott Bulldogs and the team ran into a brick wall and lost the series. So it was back off to the Shamrock “A” Division semi finals. It was a frustrating series and a tough Mooretown team that won 3 games by 1 goal in each game. Game 1 – 1-0 loss, Game 2 – 1-0 loss, Game 3 – 5-4 loss (what a great effort in the last game boys).
I just want to say that you have nothing to be disappointed in; this season was amazing, as you played as a team to take first place in the Shamrock regular season – 17 wins, 2 losses, and 1 tie and you won GOLD at the OSHAWA CCHL TOURNAMENT. Playing Mount Brydges at the John Labatt Centre and meeting some KNIGHTS was a real treat this year. Coach Chris tried and got you to play to your potential. We had a lot of fun, some laughs, some disappointments and a really great season of hockey. Not to mention, catching up with old friends and making new ones.
Some memories for the year:
1 – Matt Beckwith – Nov 23/09 - 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.
2 – Devin Robison-Sareh – Jan 25/10 - Then the Attack tied it up to end the first period 1-1. The second period was close again as Devin Robison-Sareh tied it up 2-2 at the end of the second with a bullet shot along the ice that just eluded the Attack’s goalie.
3 – Josh Allen – Jan 25/10 - Getting his first goal of the season, being moved from defense to forward was Josh Allen with a quick move around the Attack’s defense and beating the goalie to the top shelf of the net. CONGRATS JOSH!!!!
4 – Tysen Hunter – Jan 03/10 - Tysen Hunter had a fantastic game getting 4 of the 6 goals and adding an assist to another. Tysen seemed to be always in the right place at the right time as Caden Beshara, Josh Levesque, Dylan Buhler, and Ryan Payne all assisted on the goals, putting the pass right on Tysen’s stick from close passes to a long stretch pass down the ice, where he beat the defense and scored.
5 – Ryan Farrell – Jan 02/10 - The team fired on all cylinders beating Glencoe 8 – 0. Goals by: Ryan Farrell assisted by Cameron Watson and Tysen Hunter. With Ryan Farrell buzzing the net and getting in the way of the Lambeth’s defense, Tysen Hunter got a forth goal on the day.
6 – Noah Allen – Nov 29/09 - Great heads up play go out to two defensemen, Noah Allen and Sam Graham. Chris Wood made the initial save on a play, the puck tricked just past him to spin on the goal line. With Eagle’s bodies everywhere trying to bang the puck in, Noah Allen took off and cleared the puck out saving the goal.
7 – Caden Beshara – OCT 18/09 - Starting on Thursday night with a 1-0 win over the Ilderton Jets. With a nail biting, back and forth game, Matt Beckwith made save after save, saving all 26 shots to get the shutout. The boys ‘ certainly made the game a spectators night. Not one person wanted to miss any of the exciting plays by both teams. With 2 minutes left to go in the game, still tied at 0-0, Caden Beshara made a few moves and comes up with the winning goal.
8 – Josh Levesque – Nov 29/09 - In strong defensive plays, Josh Levesque was just an animal on the ice tying up anyone that came close to him. Josh Levesque played a dominant defensive game tying up the forwards and took a penalty as well in this physical game.
9 – David Gauthier – Nov 29/09 - In another picture perfect, text book pass from Noah Dos Santos across the crease, David Gauthier celebrated another goal on the season. It looked like Noah was going to shoot and then he passed it to Gauthier for the one timer into the wide open net. Nice work keeping your stick on the ice David.
10 – Ryan Payne – Jan 03/10 - Ryan Payne celebrated his first goal back from injury as he lit up the goalie for another while he battled for the puck and got the rebound. The boys certainly gave the crowd lots to cheer for and a great performance as they scored three of the goals in four minutes frustrating Ilderton’s goalie and defense.
11 – Carson Nurse – Jan 03/10 - Again the ST THOMAS ATOM AE STARS had to play hard as a team to come out with the win. It is the one concept of this team that makes them play well together; you win as a team, you lose as a team. When the boys use this concept, no matter what they are successful. Helping out on defense, Noah Allen and Carson Nurse paired up to block shots and steering others away from the net. Carson kept his head in the game and also saved a sure goal for Mount Brydges by sweeping the puck out from the goal crease.
12 – Sam Graham – Dec 07/09 - Congratulations to Sam Graham, who was chosen to compete in the skills competition event of the tournament. Sam did an awesome job in the skating and shooting events. You could tell he was having fun with the big grin on his face. Hold on to those memories buddy. WAY TO GO SAM!!!!
14 – Josh Hare – Feb 01/10 - As the crowd erupted with cheers the STARS team got motivated to finish the job. With 35 seconds to go in the third period, Dylan “Scooter” Buhler outplayed the defense to break into the zone went for the deak on the goalie and made a sweeeeet setup pass along the crease to Josh “Harsey” Hare who got his own rebound and scored to sweep the series in 3 games. This huge emotional win sends the ATOM AE STARS to the Quarter Finals in the OMHA Playdowns.
15 – Noah Dos Santos – Nov 08/09 - Noah Dos Santos completed the hat trick and finishing the game 4-2 with an empty net goal while the St. Thomas ATOM AE STARS were down 2 players, with one player in the penalty box and Chatham putting on the extra attacker by pulling their goalie.
16 - Dylan Buhler – OCT 11/09 - Dylan Buhler’s goal in the third game and the look on his face when he took his first penalty shot in game 2 – priceless.
17 – Cameron Watson – Nov 08/09 - Cameron Watson got the game winning goal picking up a rebound and drilling the puck in the back of the net to take a 3-2 lead.
35 – Chris Wood – Jan 03/10 - GAME 1 - 1-0 WIN OVER MOUNT BRYDGES In net, Chris Wood;”Woody”; extended his shutout steak to 3 games in a row. He’s one hot goalie. Woody faced many breakaways and rushes to the net and stopped them all. From a hot glove hand, to sprawling saves and a little bit of help from the goaltender’s best friend, Chris helped his team come out with the win.
For me - the Christmas article: TWAS 2 GAMES BEFORE CHRISTMAS was a blast to write, have to have some fun sometimes.
Thank you all for the exciting season, the roller coast of emotional games and your hard efforts to play with heart and soul as a TEAM.
I wish you success and good luck in your future hockey endeavors.
Thank you to all the coaching staff for your hard and never ending work with the kids. I really appreciate all that you have done and the time you have given of yourselves.
KEEP YOUR STICK ON THE ICE
GO STARS GO!!!!!