Nov 22, 2021 | Dan Zidichouski | 183 views
Hamilton Huskies Classic Nov 19-21
With a good mix of familiar faces and plenty of new ones, The U12 AA Gryphons descended on Steeltown this past weekend for the 1st Annual Hamilton Huskies Classic. After almost 2 years removed from sanctioned tournament play, the kids showed up Friday morning to the rink like it was Christmas morning. Seeing the smiles on so many players faces while gearing up gave a sense of normalcy not felt by many in what seemed like forever!
Our first test was bright and early against a fellow Tri County team from the 6ix. The Brampton 45's had a late league game the night before but the quick turnaround did not seem to phase them. We jumped out to a 2-0 lead but they just kept hanging around and scored the tying goal on a seeing eye shot from the point with 8 seconds left to finish the game tied 2-2.
With the first game out of the way, you could already feel the buzz for our second game against a familiar foe. After beating the Oakville Red Rangers in league play on Wednesday night, they surely were looking for revenge in our afternoon match up against them. In what was destined to be a highly competitive game, our Gryphons proved up to the task on the backs of some strong teamwork and solid goaltending. We battled hard and won a tight 2-1 contest against the current #2 team in the province.
After a successful first day, it was home to prepare for a big day 2 in the waterfall capital of the world. Like clockwork, our kids showed up to the rink Saturday morning with a sense of purpose. Again, we found ourselves facing a team high atop the provincial rankings in the formidable Milton Winterhawks. In what we expected to be a back and forth affair, the two titans traded goals all morning, but alas, the Gryphons proved to just be too much for the kids from Milton. We would end up winning 8-4.
The only remaining undefeated team in group play had earned themselves a much needed team lunch between games at Hamilton's famous End Zone Bar and Grill. After fueling up on some much needed carbs (and a few team sing alongs courtesy of the DJ), it was back to the rink to finish the round robin with top spot on the line!
We wrapped up the day facing yet again another Tri County opponent because, why not! The Flamborough Sabres came to play and gave us all we could handle, but we ended up coming away victorious on an empty net goal scored in the final minute to secure a 7-5 result. Your Guelph Gryphons ran the table and finished in top spot with 7 of a possible 8 points!
With a spot in the final on the line Sunday morning, the kids were all business before puck drop. Usually finishing first give you an easier path to the championship game, but not this time. We lined up against the 2-1-1 Milton team for a rematch that did not disappoint. Milton jumped out to a 2-0 advantage but our Gryphons got one back on a laser shot in the slot. Going into the 3rd down 2-1, the kids did everything they could to get the game level again. After a questionable hooking call, Milton capitalized on the opportunity to give them a 3-1 lead. We weren't going down without a fight though and buried a goal late with the net empty. However the stellar play from the Winterhawks found us on the losing end and our championship journey finished in a 3-2 result.
Despite the disappointment of losing, these Gryphons have A LOT to be proud of! This team will accomplish great things and the best is yet to come! A big thank you to the tournament organizers, coaches, and parents for making this first tournament experience in a while a successful one. Next up, we head into Belle River to announce to the rest of the OMHA that the U12 AA Guelph Gryphons are not a team to be underestimated! Until then, well see you around the rink!