39th Annual International Blueline, Tournaments, Major Bantam, 2009-10 (Huron-Perth Lakers AAA Minor Hockey Association)

Friday, November 27th
Game 1 vs Peterborough Petes                “A Flurry of Goals”
The Lakers played their first game against the Peterborough Petes in the early afternoon on Friday. Play was back and forth throughout the period with the teams ending the period scoreless with 5 shots each.

The Lakers began the second period with a short power play that carried over from the end of the first period. Unfortunately, it would be the Petes with the first goal of the game as they scored a couple dozen seconds after the power play ended. The Lakers would even things up with a power play goal later in the period when Jayden Landry would slide a pass out from the corner to Mac MacSorley in front of the net that MacSorley would flip home to make it 1-1 (see video below).

The Lakers pulled ahead on the next shift thanks to a sequence that started with a hard forecheck by Michael Siddall leading to a Petes’ turnover and then continued with the Lakers controlling the puck in the Petes’ end for an extended period of time. The goal came when Devin Williams moved the puck back to Carter Simpson on the point who passed the puck to Braydon Blight at the hash marks. Blight moved to open ice and fired the puck past the goalie to put the Lakers up 2-1 (see video below).

That would be all the scoring in the second period as the Lakers took a 2-1 lead into the dressing room between periods.

The third period saw the Lakers begin the period having to finish off the remainder of a penalty, which they did admirably. Both teams pressed to try to get the next goal – the Lakers to get some breathing room and the Petes to try and tie it up. As time wound down the Petes pulled their goalie with about 40 seconds to go and it would prove costly as Laker Iain Donnelly took advantage of a Petes’ line change to send a long stretch pass to Blight who was heading for the Petes' end. Blight picked up the pass and shot the puck into the empty net before the Petes’ player could stop him (see video below).

With 10 seconds to go and the face-off in the Lakers’ end the Petes pulled their goalie again and this time were able to score a goal with a tip through traffic to cut the Lakers’ lead to 3-2. With just 4 seconds left on the clock, the Petes' net remained empty for the face off at centre ice as the Petes just wouldn’t give up. However, neither did the Lakers as Greg Williams won the draw across to MacSorley who fired the puck past the Petes’ defenceman for the Lakers’ second empty net goal (see video below).

And that was how the game would end, with a flurry of three goals in the final minute and the Lakers getting a 4-2 win. The Lakers played better hockey than they had in a while thanks to a stronger team effort – a definite good sign of things to come. Game MVP went to the Lakers’ goalie, Joe Metzger.


Game 2 vs Waterloo Wolves                “The Return of the Willow Tree”
The second game of the day for the Lakers saw them matched up against one of their regular season opponents, the Waterloo Wolves. These two teams had not faced each other since the first game of the regular season; a game that had ended in a 1-1 tie. A strong contest was hoped for and it proved to be very entertaining (and stressful) game.

The game opened with the Lakers getting a glorious scoring chance early as the puck bounced around in front of the Wolves’ net but just didn’t end up on a Lakers’ stick. Lakers’ shots would be few and far between in this contest as the Lakers’ defensive game was put to the test. The first period would be scoreless with the Lakers mustering one lone shot to the Wolves’ eight.

The second period saw the Lakers get outshot 10 to 5 but it would be the Lakers with the lone goal on the power play. Greg Williams would feed a pass cross ice to Iain Donnelly who one timed it into the net for the 1-0 lead (see video below).

It was clearly an important goal for the Lakers at the time but there was still half a game left to play and their defensive play would need to continue to be strong. The Lakers finished out the period and took a 1-0 lead into the third.

The third period saw the Wolves desperate to get the tying goal and the Lakers equally determined not to give it to them. The Wolves’ attack was relentless but the Lakers defensive team play was superb. Reminiscent of a game a couple months ago against Sun County, the Lakers’ defensive play would bend like a willow tree in the face of the Wolves’ howling storm of shots but they would not break. With time running out and the majority of the play in the period in the Lakers’ end, the Wolves pulled their goalie with about a minute and a half to go. The pucks on net came fast and furious but the Lakers were not to be denied. Although there were many shots, with just a few good scoring chances Lakers goalie Joe Metzger was up to the task and shut the door. When the buzzer finally sounded, thanks to a great whole team effort the Lakers had defeated the Wolves 1-0 even after being outshot 32 to 8. Game MVP was Braydon Blight. The commitment demonstrated by the team throughout the game harkened back to their play in the first part of the season. The boys were back!!!


Saturday, November 28th
Game 3 vs Ottawa Senators                “The Comeback”
The Lakers third game would see them play the highest ranked team in the tournament – the Ottawa Senators.

The Lakers were a little slower getting going in this game and as a result the Senators had all the shots in the first period with 8. Most importantly though, the period ended scoreless.

The second period saw the Senators pop in two goals in the first couple minutes to go up 2-0. The Lakers didn’t quit, however, and continued to work hard and play smart, simple hockey. With just a minute or so remaining in the period, the Lakers were rewarded with a 4 on 3 power play goal to cut the Sens’ lead in half. The goal came when PJ Conlon won the draw to Iain Donnelly who skated across into the slot and wristed a shot that went just wide of the net. The rebound off the end boards came back to Jayden Landry who neatly tucked the puck into the net for the goal (see video below).

The period ended with the Lakers trailing 2-1 and being outshot 18 to 6.

The third period saw the Lakers continue to press but were momentarily slowed down when they took a penalty five minutes in. The Lakers successfully killed off the penalty and then scored the equalizer when Nick Castell muscled the puck past a Senator to get it to Mac MacSorley. MacSorley burst in on the wing and let go a thundering slapshot that beat the goalie glove-side (see video below).

That would be it for scoring in this game as the Lakers successfully completed the two goal comeback to tie the game 2-2. Game MVP was Mac MacSorley.


Game 4 vs Kitchener Rangers                “Just a Goal Short”
The Lakers went into their fourth game needing just a tie in order to advance past the preliminary round and play Sunday. Their opponent would be the Kitchener Rangers. A team they had played earlier in the week in a regular season game and suffered a 4-1 loss against.

The Lakers started this game strong but over the period their play was just not what it had been in the previous three games. Nevertheless, the first period was scoreless and the shots were 7 to 5 in the Lakers’ favour.

The Lakers started the second period with a forty second power play that carried over from the end of the first. The Lakers were unable to convert but kept the pressure up after the power play ended and eventually scored when Mac MacSorley's wrist shot went off the iron and in, assisting on the play were Jayden Landry and Greg Williams (see video below).

Unfortunately, a minute later the Rangers would get a power play to even things up and then in the next two minutes would score another pair of goals to go up 3-1 on the Lakers. It was time for the Lakers to bear down and turn things around. The Lakers continued to work hard to get back into the game but the second period ended with them still trailing 3-1.

Characteristically, the Lakers didn’t quit and continued to pressure throughout the third period. They finally narrowed the gap to just a goal when Kyle Sippel sent the puck down low to PJ Conlon behind the net. Conlon fed Michael Siddall in front of the net who popped the puck in (see video below).

The Lakers would pull their goalie in an attempt to get the equalizer in the dying seconds of the game but would come up a goal short in losing 3-2 to the Rangers.

As it turned out being short that one goal was enough to keep the Lakers from advancing to play Sunday as the Ottawa Senators moved on in their place.

Overall, the Lakers had a good tournament and played much better hockey than they had in weeks. The Lakers now look to build on this success and carry it back into their regular season play which resumes Saturday in St. Marys against the Lambton Jr. Sting at 5:30 pm.

39th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL BLUELINE AAA HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
November 26-29, 2009
Kitchener, Ontario

· 4 game guarantee – 6 game maximum
· No gate fees all weekend
· Local area teams may play on Thursday night
· Game length (Major Bantam): 10 / 15 / Flood / 15 (stop time)

· Depending on the amount of time available during the tournament, at any time the tournament flood times may be switched to be completed after every two periods.

TOURNAMENT GROUPINGS

KITCHENER JR. RANGERS	HURON PERTH LAKERS	LONDON JR. KNIGHTS GREEN
WEST SENECA WINGS	PETERBOROUGH PETES	WHITBY WILDCATS
HALTON  HURRICANES	WATERLOO WOLVES	GREY-BRUCE HIGHLANDERS
OTTAWA 67’S	OTTAWA SENATORS	WHEATFIELD BLADES

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Date	Time	Home	Score	Away	Score	Location	Type	Game
Nov 26	8:30 pm	Halton Hurricanes	3	Kitchener Jr. Rangers	2	Grand River Arena	Round Robin	B-1
Nov 27	11:00 am	West Seneca Wings	1	Ottawa 67's	5	Kitchener Auditorium	Round Robin	B-2
Nov 27	12:30 pm	Whitby Wildcats	6	London Jr. Knights	1	Kitchener Auditorium	Round Robin	B-3
Nov 27	12:30 pm	Ottawa Senators	4	Waterloo Wolves	0	Sportsworld Pad A	Round Robin	B-4
Nov 27	1:00 pm	Huron Perth Lakers	4	Peterborough Petes	2	Sportsworld Pad B	Round Robin	B-5
Nov 27	1:00 pm	Grey-Bruce Highlanders	4	Wheatfield Blades	3	Lions Arena	Round Robin	B-6
Nov 27	4:00 pm	West Seneca Wings	1	Halton Hurricanes	4	McLaren Arena	Round Robin	B-7
Nov 27	5:30 pm	Ottawa 67's	5	Kitchener Jr. Rangers	1	Sportsworld Pad A	Round Robin	B-8
Nov 27	5:30 pm	Huron Perth Lakers	1	Waterloo Wolves	0	McLaren Arena	Round Robin	B-9
Nov 27	7:00 pm	Peterborough Petes	3	Ottawa Senators	2	McLaren Arena	Round Robin	B-10
Nov 27	7:30 pm	Grey-Bruce Highlanders	4	London Jr. Knights	2	Auditorium - Kiwanis	Round Robin	B-11
Nov 27	8:30 pm	Wheatfield Blades	3	Whitby Wildcats	3	Auditorium- Kinsmen	Round Robin	B-12
Nov 28	11:00 am	Kitchener Jr. Rangers	3	West Seneca Wings	1	Kitchener Auditorium	Round Robin	B-13
Nov 28	12:15 pm	Ottawa Senators	2	Huron Perth Lakers	2	Conestoga College	Round Robin	B-14
Nov 28	12:30 pm	Whitby Wildcats	2	Grey-Bruce Highlanders	1	Grand River Arena	Round Robin	B-15
Nov 28	12:30 pm	Halton Hurricanes	2	Ottawa 67's	2	Kitchener Auditorium	Round Robin	B-16
Nov 28	2:00 pm	Waterloo Wolves	5	Peterborough Petes	2	Conestoga College	Round Robin	B-17
Nov 28	3:45 pm	London Jr. Knights	2	Wheatfield Blades	2	Conestoga College	Round Robin	B-18
Nov 28	6:30 pm	Waterloo Wolves	3	Grey-Bruce Highlanders	4	McLaren Arena	Round Robin	B-19
Nov 28	6:30 pm	Kitchener Jr. Rangers	3	Huron Perth Lakers	2	Activa - Alumni	Round Robin	B-20
Nov 28	6:45 pm	Peterborough Petes	1	West Seneca Wings	1	Conestoga College	Round Robin	B-21
Nov 28	8:00 pm	Wheatfield Blades	1	Ottawa Senators	7	McLaren Arena	Round Robin	B-22
Nov 28	8:15 pm	London Jr. Knights	0	Halton Hurricanes	10	Auditorium - Kiwanis	Round Robin	B-23
Nov 28	8:15 pm	Ottawa 67's	4	Whitby Wildcats	1	Conestoga College	Round Robin	B-24
Nov 29	9:15 am	Halton Hurricanes	5	Grey-Bruce Highlanders	2	Activa - PJD	Semi Finals	B-25
Nov 29	9:45 am	Ottawa Senators	2	Ottawa 67's	7	Activa - Alumni	Semi Finals	B-26
Nov 29	3:00 pm	Ottawa 67's	6	Halton Hurricanes	5	Activa - Alumni	Finals	B-27

TOURNAMENT RULES

1. Teams must register at least 1 hour prior to first game. They must have an approved final roster and Travel Permit/Permission from home association. Must present list of A/P players on registration. Only players on this list may participate in the tournament if needed.
2. Teams are required to bring two sets of sweaters, one dark set and one light set. The home team will always wear the light set.
3. All teams must be prepared to begin their scheduled game 15 minutes before the actual game time. If the tournament schedule is ahead of time, teams must be ready to play 15 minutes prior.
4. No time outs in round robin but each team in the playoff portion will be allowed one 30 second time-out.
5. If a team is ahead by more than 5 goals in the third period, it will be running time for the balance of the game. Minors 3 minutes, major 7 minutes.
6. Handshakes to take place prior to each game.
7. No spectators are allowed in the change rooms or dressing rooms. It is the responsibility of the Team Officials to respect and enforce this rule at all times.
8. The 2009-2010 O.H.F minimum suspension list for minor hockey will be followed. Hockey Canada states a team may sign and use 19 players and may dress 19 players, including 2 goaltenders for each game.
9. All MATCH PENALTIES will be reported to that team’s organization.
10. All STICK PENALTIES will be called closely and any player receiving 3 stick infractions in one game will automatically receive a game ejection. Please familiarize yourself with the section in the program called “Hockey Canada Review” for clarification on some potential interpretations this weekend.
11. Any player who receives a FIGHTING MAJOR shall be suspended for the balance of the tournament regardless of the amount of games remaining for their respective team.
12. SUSPENSION(S) of players, coaching staff members and management staff will be served in the tournament. All suspensions will be forwarded to that team’s organization.
13. There shall be NO PROTESTS. The TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN decision will be final.

DIVISIONAL WINNERS & TIE BREAKING FORMULA

 

1. In the round robin portion of the tournament two points will be awarded for a win, one point for a tie, and zero points for a loss. There will be no overtime. During round robin play, if the score is tied at the end of regulation time, the tie score will stand and each team shall be awarded one point for the game. The division winner will be determined as the team who has accumulated the most points.  

a.      MINOR BANTAM

i. The winner of each division will advance to the semi-finals. The seeding of the division winners will be determined using the formula below.

b.      MINOR PEE WEE / MAJOR BANTAM / MIDGET

i. The top team from each division plus 1 Wildcard will advance to semi –finals.   Top scoring quotient % division winner will play the wildcard in one semi-final.

c.       MINOR ATOM / MAJOR PEE WEE

i. The top 2 teams in each division will advance to playoff crossover semi-finals. (ie Div. 1 1^st vs Div. 2 2^nd)

 

2. If two or more teams are tied in points after the round robin, the following tiebreakers in the following order shall be used to determine which team finishes higher for final seeding .

 

i.   Head to Head Competition (Does not apply in 3 way tie), then

ii.  Most Wins, if still tied,

iii. Scoring Quotient.   The scoring quotient is calculated by taking an individual team’s GOALS FOR divided by (GOALS FOR PLUS GOALS AGAINST).   Whichever team has the higher number advances.

iv. If still tied , the team who would advance would be the team that has the least amount of total penalty minutes (including misconducts) in the entire round robin.

v. If still tied, a coin flip supervised by Tournament Chairman will be used.

                                Example:   Team A       15 GF   7 GA    Quotient is 15/22= .681 
                                               Team B       14 GF   6 GA    Quotient is 14/20= .700

                              Team B would advance.

3. Overtime in Playoff Games

a. The following overtime will be followed for all playoff games:

i. A five (5) minute sudden death 4 x 4 (four on four) overtime period ( if a team ended the first overtime with a 5 on 4 advantage the advantage will continue as 4 on 3). If there is still no winner at the end of the first overtime period;

ii. A five (5) minute sudden death 3 x 3 (three on three) overtime period. If penalties occur during the 3 on 3 play the team with the man advantage shall begin the power play as a four-on-three. At the expiration of the penalty, the teams shall play four-on four. At the first stoppage after the power play ends, the play will resume as three-on three. If multiple penalties occur to the same team, penalties will be stacked once a team is down to three skaters. If coincidental penalties occur, both teams will remain with three skaters. If the score still remains tied;

iii. Each team will pick five (5) players to take part in a shootout.   The visiting team will shoot first.   If no clear winner emerges after the first shootout, each team will pick one (1) player to take part in a sudden death shootout. The teams will continue in a “sudden death” shootout, until the game is decided. * Teams must select a different player for each phase of the shootouts.

 

INELIGIBLE PLAYERS

Any team found with ineligible players participating in a game will forfeit the game and any other game the ineligible player has played in. Games won by a forfeited team will be considered a win for the opposing team, with a score set at 3-0.

 

The Tournament Committee will not be responsible for any injuries caused by another player or spectator. Please ensure that all your players are covered by adequate insurance before participating in the tournament.