This past weekend the U13A
Gryphons traveled to Detroit to celebrate American Thanksgiving and do some
Black Friday shopping! While there, they decided to play a little hockey,
joining 7 other teams representing Canada in the CCM Nation’s Cup…and represent
Canada they did!
Over the course of the weekend the
Jr. Gryphons/Canadians played five games. In their first game of the
tournament, the team jumped out to a 3-0 lead against a very strong Kalamzoo
K-Wings. Despite the K-Wings coming back to tie the game Team Canada potted a 4th
goal winning the game 4-3. In their 2nd game the Jr. Gryphons again
jumped out to a 3-0 lead, some might say the worst lead in hockey, only to see
the Orland Park Prospects come back to take an eventual 5-4 lead. Showing
Canadian grit, the Gryphons scored the next 2, winning the back-and-forth
affair 6-5.
Day two of the tournament saw a
tired Gryphon team squeak out a 2-1 win against the Knoxville Jr. Ice Bears and
unfortunately run out of gas, loosing to the Honeybaked Gold team 4-2. The
overall successful round robin set-up the Gryphons with an important game on
Championship Sunday against the Flint Ice Raiders. The winner would earn points
for their country. At the end of the day Canada or the US would be named
Nations Champion!
Going into their final game the
kids from Canada made a vow to work as hard as they could to not hear the
dreaded U.S.A chant. The team jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, scored the 2nd
goal and then behind a solid defensive effort and goaltending held on for a 2-1
win! The win clinched the Nations Cup for team Canada! With chants of ‘hockey
is our sport’ and ‘stick to football’ ringing throughout the arenas, the teams from
Canada celebrated their victory!
Overall, the Gryphons have had a
very successful past few weekends! They competed hard at the Guelph Power Play,
losing in the semi finals to the eventual champions and again this weekend in
Detroit! The coaching staff would like to thank the organizers of both
tournaments. A special thanks also to our parent group for all the off-ice planning
that has gone on and your support of the team!
Jr. Gryphons/Canadians…who wants
to hear the U.S.A chant?!?!?!?!
Not me…not 😊 me!