The HPL Minor PeeWees have had a hard time putting a whole game of good team play hockey together this season, until this past weekend in Oakville at the Richard Bell Memorial Tournament.
The final result didn’t look as good as the games themselves as they went 1 – 2 – 1 for the weekend. The players are finally playing the game as a team where the defenseman headman the puck to the forwards and the forwards in return back check to help their defense.
Game 1 vs Sudbury Wolves the HPL Minor PeeWees were behind 1 – 0 at the end of the first period, but by the end to of the second period the Lakers where ahead 4 – 3 thanks to some great puck movement and hard work. Unfortunately, due to the winter weather the Lakers haven't been on the ice for a week and it showed in the third period where the Lakers ran out of gas and ended up losing the game 6 – 4, but out shot Sudbury 23 – 18 in the game.
Game 2 vs York Simcoe Express, one of the best “97” teams in Ontario, which lost in the finals of the tournament to the Toronto Titans 1 – 0. The HPL Minor PeeWees played a great two play-off type game, with some great saves by the Lakers’ goalie. The Express scored one goal in the first and one goal in second period before the Lakers cut the lead in half early in the third. The Express added a power play goal late in the third but the Lakers didn’t give up and scored with 8 seconds left in the game before the game ended 3 – 2 in favour of York Simcoe. Lakers were out shot 23 – 17 in the game.
Game 3 vs Mississauga Rebels - the team that defeated the HPL Minor PeeWees 4 – 1 earlier in the year in the London tournament. The Lakers came out flying in the first and out shot the Rebels 9 – 3, but couldn’t score a goal. In the second, the Lakers totally controlled the period out shooting the Rebels 18 – 5, plus 3 goal posts and a crossbar, but couldn’t get one past the Rebels' goalie. First shift of the third the Rebels scored, but the Lakers came right back with a short handed goal next shift and that’s the way the game ended 1 – 1. The best team effort by the whole Lakers team this year. That tie gave the Rebels the right to play in the semi finals. Final shots 36 – 14 for the Lakers.
Game 4 vs Brantford 99’ers the HPL Minor PeeWees were looking for their first win of the tournament. Brantford jumped out to an early 2 – 0 lead, but the Lakers scored the next seven goals and seemed to be in control of the game. As the Lakers took their foot off the gas in the third period Brantford scored three late goals in the game, but the Lakers took the 7 – 5 win and out shot Brantford 34 – 16 in the game.
The HPL Minor PeeWees will try and carry the momentum of this tournament forward into remaining games that they have left in January before they enter into play-offs in February. Come out and cheer them on as they are ready to make a run for a playoff championship.