The Kilbank Metal Forming & Turning PeeWee A Jr. Stars travelled to St. Catharine’s this past weekend to compete in the Garden City Early Bird Tournament. Finishing 1st in our pool with a record of 3-0-1, it was straight to the finals against the Orillia Terriers. The PeeWee A Stars took the final game by a score of 8-4, going undefeated in the tournament and claiming the Championship.
On Friday morning, Game #1 against the Whitby Wildcats saw our team trailing 2-0 going into the 3rd period. By taking advantage of 2 power plays, the Jr. Stars drew even with 3:26 remaining the game. St. Thomas tallied again just 0:13 later to take a 3-2 lead. With Whitby pressing to tie, the Jr. Stars sealed the win by scoring a short-handed, empty net goal with only 0:23 remaining to make the final 4-2.
Game #2 went Friday afternoon vs. the Ancaster Avalanche. Although St. Thomas opened the scoring the final seconds of the 1st period by the start of the 3rd, the Jr. Stars found themselves trailing by a couple of goals again. Fortunately, with strong play at both ends of the ice, the Jr. Stars were able to chip away at their opponents 3-1 lead and with just under 2:00 remaining, scored to take the lead. Again the Jr. Stars held off their opponents in the final minutes and claimed a 4-3 victory.
On Friday evening, the team travelled back to the arena for their third hockey game of the day, but as spectators, to watch some OUA Men’s University Hockey. Hometown Brock Badgers were hosting the Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks in the RBC Steel Blade Tournament. Although Brock opened the scoring, they found themselves trailing Laurier 5-1 by the end of the 2nd. In a day full of 3rd period comeback, Brock followed suit and tied the game at 5-5 just before the final buzzer. Brock went on to complete the comeback with an OT winner taking the game 6-5 and claiming the Steel Blade!
Game #3 of our tournament had us facing the Dundas Blues on Saturday afternoon. The Jr. Stars scored first with less than one second remaining the opening period. The game remained close throughout the 2nd with each team scoring once. Continuing to press, the Jr. Stars added four goals while only allowing one against in what turned out to be another strong 3rd period making the final 6-2.
Sunday morning saw the Jr. Stars facing the Merriton Bulldogs in our final round robin game. With the Jr. Stars scoring the only goal of the 1st period mid way through the frame and a scoreless 2nd period, Merriton was able to draw even with a power play goal part way through the 3rd. Both teams battles for the go ahead goal but were unsuccessful as the game ended in a 1-1 tie, preserving the Jr. Stars undefeated record.
Closing out our round robin play 3-0-1 meant it was into the finals against the perfect 4-0-0 Orillia Terriers. The Jr. Stars jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st period. Although St. Thomas added 2 more in the 2nd, Orillia started their own comeback by taking advantage of 2 power plays and adding an even strength goal of their own. Orillia completed the comeback halfway through the final period to make the score 4-4 with just over 7:00 remaining. However the St. Thomas Jr. Stars would not back down and just as our team had done throughout the tournament, displayed another strong 3rd period by scoring 4 times, including twice short-handed, in the final 5 minutes to win the game in convincing fashion 8-4 and to take the Garden City Early Bird Tournament Championship!!