Once the Minor PeeWees seen who they would be playing in the London Early Bird Tournament they knew they had their work cut out for them. On top of that, 2 players would have to serve suspensions for the 1st game and one player would be out with a broken foot for the tournament.
In the 1st game against Toronto Titans, the eventual winner of the tournament, the HPL Minor PeeWees had a slow start allowing 2 power play goals early, couldn’t get into the game after that and ended up losing 6 – 0.
In game 2, the HPL Minor PeeWees were back to 9 forwards and 4 defence and would need everyone going to their best of their ability to compete with last year’s OHF Champs, the “Elgin Middlesex Chiefs”. The Lakers seemed ready to play, but when the game started the Chiefs jumped out to a 4 – 0 lead. At that point, the Lakers seem to get their 2nd wind and controlled the play for the next 10 minutes, but couldn’t score. Late in the 2nd the Chiefs regained control of the game and went on to win 11 – 0. The Chiefs went on to the semi-finals, but lost to the London Jr. Knights 5 – 4.
In game 3rd game vs. Mississauga Rebels, the HPL Minor PeeWees came out with a strong effort in the 1st period, but gave up a Power Play goal mid way through the period. A bounce finally went in the Lakers' favour which was converted into a goal in the 2nd. The Lakers battled hard as they stepped up the physical play. In the 3rd period the Rebels scored early and added 2 late goals, handing the Lakers a 4 – 1 lose.
Entering into game 4 of the tournament vs West Seneca (Buffalo NY) the HPL Minor PeeWee team had already been mathematically eliminated from advancing to the semi-final round so the approach to the game was “What have we learned from the first 3 games played”. To be successful in this game the team needed to play as a team with all members of the team playing to the best of their ability throughout the whole game. West Seneca, on the other hand, still had a chance to be the Wild Card team for the semi-final round. Everything the Lakers needed to do to win they did in this game, played physical, played as a team, with all the players playing to their best of their ability and brought home the 8 – 6 win. It was a great game to win and end the tournament on a positive note as the West Seneca team had already beaten some of the top teams in the tournament. There seems to be a little rivalry forming between the 2 teams as they have met 5 times in the last 3 years. Hopefully the 2 teams will get to play one another again this year.