Entering their final
scheduled tournament of the season, the U15 A team opted to put their learnings
and skills to the test by facing some of the province’s best U15 AA teams in
the Oshawa Cup which took place January 20 – 22, 2023. The goal in entering this division was to get
them conditioned to a play at a faster pace, drive up their compete level,
challenge their decision-making capability, and foster confidence in their
overall ability to win tough games as we start to prepare for the upcoming
playoff run. This was evidently
accomplished as all games proved to be fast and physical throughout the
tournament, which required the team to be disciplined, minimize errors and
maintain a higher compete level from puck drop to the final whistle.
Game one versus the
host Oshawa Generals proved to be a good first test. Despite the early nerves, the players
persevered and dominated the game at both ends of the rink and secured a demanding
2 – 0 victory.
The evening contest
against the Hamilton Huskies was one of the most physical games encountered by
this Gryphons team all season. Hamilton came out strong, and was first to get
on the scoreboard but the lead didn’t last long. Guelph scored less than a minute later and
then took the lead in the first minute of the second period. The Gryphons would not look back, and
continued to dominate play while Hamilton marched player after player to the
penalty box. It was a battle, but the
Gryphons went on to win 7 – 2 while also remaining calm and cool.
As day 2 began, the
Gryphons knew the games would get tougher as they took on pair of great teams
from eastern Ontario.
The morning contest
versus the Clarington Toros AA team proved to be a very evenly matched
game. So even that shots were identical
after 2 periods of play. Guelph managed
to get on the scoreboard first with a gaol on a short-handed breakaway. Guelph would add another and hold on to a 2 –
0 victory.
With a spot secured
in the semi-final, Guelph went into their last round robin game looking to
continue its winning ways versus the Ottawa Sting AA, who was in a must win
situation to play Sunday. The game was
fast and physical with scoring chances at both ends of the ice. The goalies were sharp and shots about
even. Guelph would go up 3 – 0 until
early in the 3rd when Ottawa scored to cut the lead. Ottawa would then knock in a 2nd
goal late in the third to come within 1 goal.
It was told that Ottawa’s 2nd goal was kicked in, but alas, there was no
changing the mind of the referee. Guelph
would battle hard in the remaining 5 minutes to hold on to a 3 – 2 win,
knocking the divisional favourite out of Sunday’s playoff round!
The semi-final went
early Sunday morning versus the Rideau St. Lawrence Kings AA team. Having watched Rideau play round robin games,
the Gryphons knew they would have their hands full, so came ready to play! Once again Guelph played a physical, yet
disciplined, game which resulted in Guelph having the better share of power
play opportunities over the course of the game.
These chances proved worthy, as Guelph would go on to win 4 -1 and
secure a spot in the Championship final.
Less than 4 hours
later, the Guelph Gryphons would take to the ice again versus the Clarington
Toros AA for the final game of the tournament.
Clarington had won their morning contest versus a very good Peterborough
Petes team, a team they had not beaten in prior games this season – thus, they
were on a high.
The Guelph Gryphons
put forward an outstanding fight vs the Toros from the opening face-off. Despite some mid-game penalty challenges that
the Gryphons had to manage through, the game ended in a 0 – 0 tie after
regulation time.
The first overtime
period proved nothing, but Clarington clearly had more energy in the tank
.
Clarington would
eventually score the winning goal with 1:28 left in the second overtime frame
to take the Championship title. This
goal came off a shot that went wide right of the net, but bounced back out in
front of the Guelph net where a Clarington player was able to tap in the
winner.
As disappointing as
it was to take the silver medal, the team recognized that they were the
underdog and still did exceptionally well.
Summary of Results:
|
Date
|
Game
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Shots F/A
|
|
Jan.
20
|
Round
Robin 1
|
Oshawa
Generals AA
|
W 2-0
|
39 – 13
|
|
Jan.
20
|
Round
Robin 2
|
Hamilton
Huskies A
|
W 7-2
|
29 – 12
|
|
Jan.
21
|
Round
Robin 3
|
Clarington
Toros AA
|
W 2-0
|
27 – 22
|
|
Jan.
21
|
Round
Robin 4
|
Ottawa
Sting AA
|
W 3-2
|
26 – 22
|
|
Jan.
22
|
Semi-final
|
Rideau
St. Lawrence Kings AA
|
W 4-1
|
22 – 16
|
|
Jan.
22
|
Final
|
Clarington
Toros AA
|
L 1-0 (2OT)
|
23 – 30
|
Some other key
points to note:
·
Guelph Gryphons tournament record was 5 – 1 (4 – 0 in
the main round robin)
·
Guelph scored the most goals in the U15 AA Division
in the round robin with 14
·
Guelph had the least number of goals against in the
round robin with 4 (also had 2 shoutouts)
Despite the
unfortunate overtime loss in the final, this ‘A’ team from Guelph demonstrated
their resiliency, determination, skills and mental toughness by entering and
making it through some very tough, and physically demanding games in their
first ‘AA’ tournament as a team. If
anything, this experience will provide the evidence and confidence that they
can compete and be successful going forward this season.
Players – the coaching team and your
parents are proud of what you were able to achieve over the course of the
weekend and look forward to an exciting and prosperous playoff run ahead!
Great work Gryphons!
Coach Doug