A very successful weekend came to end yesterday for the Huron Perth Lakers 'AAA' Minor Midget team after reaching their 2nd consecutive tournament final.
Competing at the Waterloo Gold Puck, the Lakers opened against a Top 10 ranked team in the Ajax Pickering Raiders. The Lakers have held their own against the Raiders in previous meetings, losing a nail biter 1-0 in the Ajax tournament in September & getting the better of them in a 4-3 win at the London Gold & Green in October. This time around, the teams battled hard & it took a late goal by Ajax to split the points in a 2-2 tie.
Next up was an elite team based out of Michigan- the Motor City Machine. With players from PA, FL & OK on their roster, the Machine were looking to compete. The speed & ability of the Lakers seemed to catch the Machine off guard & force them into some early penalty trouble. But the team adjusted & battled hard. When it was all said & done the Lakers squeaked by with a 2-1 win.
Heading into Saturday, the Lakers took on the Barrie Jr Colts. Seemingly tired, the Lakers struggled to get & keep the momentum throughout but carried a 1-0 lead deep into the 3rd period. With less then a minute to go & the Colts goalie on the bench for the extra attacker, the Lakers failed to clear the zone allowing Barrie to pot the equalizer & salvage a 1-1 tie.
The 1-0-2 record for the Lakers set up a must win game against another highly ranked Top 10 team & League Rival- Elgin Middlesex Chiefs. The Lakers seemed to know what was on the line & stepped up to the challenge. Playing inspired defensive hockey & smothering the Chiefs top players, the Lakers found themselves with a 2-0 lead. Elgin was able to snag one back late but by that time the upset was complete allowing the Lakers to take the game & the Division with a 2-1 victory.
Sunday morning came early for the team as they prepared for the Semi-Final contest against the Host Waterloo Wolves. Again appearing tired, the Lakers found themselves trailing going into the 2nd period. But finding another gear allowed the team to finish strong & tie the game 1-1 heading into the final frame. The Lakers kept pressing but the game looked to be heading to sudden death overtime until a nice 3 way passing play led to the winning goal with just under 2 minutes to play sending the Lakers to the Tournament Final against the powerful Sun County Panthers.
The stage was set for an exciting conclusion to a great weekend for the Lakers. But the boys came out clutching their sticks a little tight & quickly found themselves in a hole, trailing 3-0. Not giving up, the Lakers battled every second & cut the deficit to 1 heading into the final minutes of play. Pushing all out for the tying goal led to an odd man rush coming back & Sun County was able to pot the insurance marker to secure the win & the Tournament Championship by a final of 4-2.
The Lakers can be proud of the accomplishment and experience, which should bode well for them as they head back into League play this week to play London, Kitchener & Waterloo in the next 6 days. On Boxing Day the team will then head to Toronto to compete in the prestigious Toronto Marlies Holiday Classic.