Major Bantam, 2009-10 (Huron Perth Lakers)

Bantam AAA Showcase Information

 

1.    Period Lengths:

• Bantam: 15-15-15
• Floods at the end of the 2^nd period and at the Completion of the Game

2.    TIME-OUTS:
Each team will be permitted one thirty (30) second timeout per game.

 

3.    Overtime:
There is no overtime in the Bantam Showcase games.

4.    Player of the Game Awards
There will be a player of the game award for each team at the conclusion of each game. Teams are to line up on their respective bluelines at the completion of the game for player of the game announcements.

 

5.    OHL Seminar
The OHL will be conducting a Seminar on Saturday in the Murray Fried room. Lunch will be provided for the teams (pizza), the first seminar is at 1:00 – 2:00 pm and will involve London Green, Kitchener, Waterloo, Sun County, Elgin and Brantford. The second seminar will run from 3:00-4:00 pm for London Gold, Hamilton, Cambridge, Huron Perth, Windsor, Chatham and Lambton. 

 

ALLIANCE Hockey Bantam Showcase
Kitchener, Ontario
September 25-27th, 2009

Although not strictly speaking a tournament, this event sees all thirteen ALLIANCE Hockey Major Bantam teams playing four games over the weekend in Kitchener. These games were all considered regular season games and counted towards the season standings.

Date	Time	Opponent	Venue	Result
Fri Sep 25	4:30 PM	Chatham-Kent Cyclones	Activa Sports Complex (Alumni Pad)	4-0 W
Sat Sep 26	12:00 PM	London (Gold) Jr Knights	Activa Sports Complex (PJD Pad)	3-5 L
Sat Sep 26	7:30 PM	Hamilton Reps	Activa Sports Complex (Alumni Pad)	6-4 W
Sun Sep 27	2:30 PM	Sun County Panthers	Activa Sports Complex (Alumni Pad)	5-2 W

Friday, Sept. 25 vs Chatham-Kent Cyclones
The Lakers got off to a good start in this game with some excellent offensive pressure on the Cyclones through the first few minutes. This lead to the first Lakers' power play. The Lakers were unable to score on the power play and the Cyclones seemed to draw energy off their successful penalty kill as the momentum shifted in the Cyclones' favour over the next few minutes. This lead to the Cyclones having their first power play opportunity. It was short-lived, however, as a minute in they took a penalty to negate it. Shortly after the Lakers' penalty ended the Cyclones took another penalty to give the Lakers a 5 on 3 opportunity. Again, the Lakers were unable to come up with a goal although they did have a couple decent chances. Finally, with just a couple minutes left in the period and on the fourth Cyclones' penalty, the Lakers opened the scoring when Mac MacSorley went end to end on a rush, fired the puck on net and PJ Conlon banged in the rebound (2nd assist to Braydon Blight). The Lakers were up 1-0 after the first period.

The second period saw the Cyclones go on the power play just 10 seconds into the frame. While killing off the penalty, Conlon backhanded the puck past the Cyclones' defenceman and out of the zone where MacSorley picked it up and, after streaking down the left wing, beat the other defenceman and put a backhand shot into the net for a short-handed goal and a two goal lead. The Lakers took another penalty three minutes later and sent their PK unit to work again. Again it was Conlon in the mix when he blocked a Cyclones' shot from the point and had it bounce out of the zone where he took off for the Cyclones' end on a 2 on 1 with MacSorley. Conlon took the shot and then followed it to the net and in the ensuing scrum eventually jammed in the rebound for the Lakers' second short-handed goal in a four minute stretch and a three goal lead (assists to Mackinley O'Keefe and Brett Stacey). Less than two minutes later, it was Jared Zufelt battling to move the puck forward to Devin Williams who fought off a Cyclones' defender to get the puck to Greg Williams who snapped home the Lakers' third goal of the period. The Lakers took this 4-0 lead into the dressing room between periods.

The third period saw the Lakers take a couple penalties but the Lakers' PK unit was up to the task with some excellent shot blocking (Jayden Landry) and puck clearing. Through the final few minutes of the period it was all Lakers as the Cyclones were hemmed into their own end under the constant Lakers' pressure. With no scoring in the third period the Lakers skated away with a 4-0 win (shut-out: Joe Metzger). The Lakers' play improved throughout this game and the overall shot totals reflected this as the Lakers outshot the Cyclones 20-14.

The Player of the Game (MVP) for the Lakers was PJ Conlon with his three point game of two goals and an assist.

Sat. Sept. 26 vs. London Jr. Knights (Gold)          "The Let Down"
The day began with a game against the London Jr. Knights (Gold) at high noon. This was the Lakers first game against the London Gold team after having defeated the London Green team twice in pre-season action and they were eager to see how they matched up.

The first period saw the Lakers open the scoring five minutes in when PJ Conlon fired the puck from face-off circle to the goalie's left and the puck just squeaked by on the short side (assists to Brett Stacey and Michael Siddall).

  

This one goal lead stood for most of the remainder of the period until just over a minute to go when the Knights would score the equalizer. There were no penalties in the first period and the Knights outshot the Lakers 10-8.

The second period saw the Knights take an interference penalty a few minutes in and on the ensuing power play the Lakers would retake the lead. Braydon Blight fired a shot through the defenders' legs on net and Riley McCabe sent the rebound again on net. The rebound from this second shot would go out to the other side where Mac MacSorley was waiting to bang the puck in.

 

A few minutes later the Knights would get in penalty trouble again and the Lakers would get their second power play goal in as many opportunties. This time it would be Blight scoring on a shot from the point through traffic (assists to Conlon and McCabe).

 

The Lakers would kill off two penalties over the remainder of the period and take a 3-2 lead into the dressing room between periods. At this point the shots between the two teams were equal at 18 each.
 

With a 3-2 lead and the game seemingly under control the Lakers looked to be in a good spot. Appearances would prove deceiving however as the Lakers took a penalty within the first minute of the 3rd giving the Knights an opportunity to get things started. The Knights got the Lakers running around a bit on the penalty kill and, although the Lakers were able to kill it off, the Knights used their momentum to get the tying goal ten seconds after the power play ended. It was now a new game and the Lakers advantage in play over the first two periods now counted for nothing. The Lakers got a power play opportunity at the 10 minute mark but were unable to capitalize on it. A few minutes later they would get another opportunity but this one unfortunately lead to a short-handed goal against that gave the Knights the lead. Thirty seconds later and with only 4 minutes remaining in the game the Lakers took a penalty. The Knights used it to their advantage and scored a power play goal to go up 5-3. This 5-3 score would hold up as the Lakers suffered the loss and a sense of disappointment at letting a winnable game slip away.

The Player of the Game (MVP) for the Lakers was Riley McCabe with two assists.

Sat. Sept. 26 vs. Hamilton Reps          "The Wild One"
After listening to an OHL representative present information on the OHL and what it has to offer, including both hockey and educational opportunities, and the various routes to reach the "O" other than their Priority Selection, little did the Lakers' coaches know that the players were going to immediately apply one of the pieces of advice the representative had shared - that when things don't go your way (whether that's not being selected in the draft or otherwise) how you respond says a lot about your character and whether you'll still be able to achieve your goal. Coming off a third period let down earlier in the day to lose the game, it was "character check" time for the Lakers.

That said, the first shift of the game didn't go well as the Lakers got off to a slow start and were very passive resulting in a Hamilton goal within the first minute. A minute or so later the Lakers took a penalty to go down a man. They had a good start to their penalty kill but took another penalty halfway through to give the Reps a 5 on 3. With just 6 seconds to go on the 5 on 3 the Reps scored to go up 2-0 in the first 5 minutes of the period. It was gut check time for the Lakers as they were in danger of letting this game get away from them and it had only just started. The Lakers got their feet moving and drew a Reps' penalty to negate the Reps' power play. After the 4 on 4 ended, the Lakers power play unit went to work. Ryley McCabe slid a pass out front to Mac MacSorley who was in close on the Reps' goalie and able to neatly put the puck 5 hole to get the Lakers within one (other assist to Braydon Blight). It proved to be the wake up call the Lakers needed as they ratcheted up their game. As a result, the Reps took two more penalties in the period, including giving the Lakers a brief 5 on 3, and the Lakers had a strong finish to this period.

The Lakers looked to have a better start to their second period than the had the first but it wasn't meant to be as the Lakers took a questionable tripping penalty two seconds into the period. The Lakers had a successful penalty kill but just three seconds after it ended the Reps were able to restore their 2 goal lead. It was proving to be tough sledding as the Lakers took another penalty in the next few minutes and went back on the penalty kill. Again the Lakers PK was up to the task. Finally, enough was enough, and the Lakers cranked it up when MacSorley stormed into the Reps' end and teed up a cannon of a shot that Reps' goalie was only able to get a piece of (assist to Iain Donnelly). The Lakers still trailed 2-3 but not for long. The renewed energy resulted in the Reps getting their first penalty of the period. It was short-lived power play as 8 seconds in, Blight fired a booming shot on net that Michael Siddall deftly tipped in for the tying goal (assist to MacSorley). The game was now half over and the Lakers, having battled back from their slow start, were ready to win the last half of the game. With 4 minutes remaining MacSorley made a great backhand shot only to see it matched with an equally good save by the Reps' goalie. The Lakers kept coming however and, with just 11 seconds to go in the period, MacSorley moved the puck to Siddall who fired a laser beam shot to give the Lakers a 4-3 lead at the end of the second.

It was clear, however, that this game was far from over and that the third period would see some exciting hockey. The third period started with the Lakers having a great scoring chance as PJ Conlon broke in on a breakaway only to lose the puck due to the wet ice from the flood between periods. The Reps swept right back to the Lakers' end but were denied by Lakers' goalie Cole Wardlaw. Wardlaw had settled down as the game progressed and he was determined to hold the lead. Wardlaw came up big again a couple minutes later on a great scoring chance in close. The Lakers came right back and had a great scoring chance of their own when a Donnelly slapshot was tipped just wide of the open net. Play went end to end with great scoring chances and even better goaltending. Finally, in the last half of the period the Lakers took a penalty and had to fall back on the penalty kill. The Reps took advantage of the opportunity to tie the game at 4-4. Seconds later, Jared Zufelt rang a shot off the post but no goal. Time ticked away and try as they might it looked like the Lakers weren't going to get the go ahead goal they were looking for. Then, with less than 3 minutes to go, it was MacSorley who shot from an incredibly sharp angle to put the puck in the far top corner to give the Lakers the lead. Less than 30 seconds later, Greg Williams got the insurance goal when he spun around in the slot and fired the puck into the Reps' net after a Reps' player had fallen on a Laker and both of them had gone into the Reps' goalie preventing the goalie from getting across to make the save. The Reps pulled their goalie with just over a minute to go to get the man adavantage. The Lakers took a penalty with just under 30 seconds to go but even facing a 6 on 4 the Lakers would "hold the fort" as time ran out to record the 6-4 win.

The Player of the Game (MVP) for the Lakers was Mac MacSorley with his five point game (three goals and two assists).

Sun. Sept. 27 vs. Sun County Panthers          "The Willow Tree"
Next up for the Lakers was a game against the Sun County Panthers on Sunday afternoon. The first shift of the first period looked good as the Lakers when directly into the Panthers' end and fired a shot on net. There were a couple good chances at both ends as the play went back and forth through the opening minutes. Eventually, the Lakers found themselves hemmed into their own end and would give up the opening goal to fall behind 1-0. Over the remainder of the period the Lakers were afforded two power play opportunities but were unable to cash in. Even with the two Lakers power plays the Panthers still carried the advantage in play in the first period.

The second period found the Lakers in penalty trouble early as they took two penalties in the first five minutes. In a foreshadowing of things to come, the Lakers played well defensively and successfully killed off the penalties. Just into the second half of the period, Jayden Landry made a heads up play to hit Nick Castell with a pass that sent Castell in on a breakaway. Castell put on a little razzle-dazzle and beat the sprawling Panthers goalie to tie the game. This goal picked the Lakers up a bit and they started to push back offensively against the Panthers. The Panthers took a penalty with a couple minutes left in the period but the Lakers got one of their own about a minute later to negate it. The teams played 4 on 4 for all but thirty seconds of the remainder of the period. Score after two periods: 1-1.

Afte the flood the Lakers were faced with starting the third period a man short for 35 seconds until the penalty near the end of the second period expired. The Lakers successfully killed it off and play was going back and forth when Jared Zufelt sustained a leg injury by the boards. There was a 40 minute break in the action while everyone waited for the paramedics to arrive and take Zufelt away by ambulance. Zufelt's broken leg will put him out of action for a considerable period of time and he will be missed. When play resumed it was a pumped up Lakers team that was determined to win this game in the remaining 13:14 for their injured team-mate. Less than a minute in, Mac MacSorley stole the puck from a Panthers' defenceman and roofed a shot for the go ahead goal. The Lakers resolve had been steeled, their feet moved quicker, their passes were crisper, and the battle was on. The Panthers weren't going to go away quietly and when the Lakers took a penalty at the 10 minute mark it looked like the Lakers would face a test. The Panthers secured a couple good chances on the power play but were denied the goal they were looking for. The ending of the power play didn't stop the Panthers and they continued to pour the pressure onto the Lakers. The Lakers team defensive play was superb and like a willow tree in a strong wind the Lakers swayed and bent but would not break. Finally with 6 minutes to go, MacSorley chipped the puck past a Panther at the Lakers' blue line and took off on a breakaway towards the Panthers' net. A quick wrister beat the goalie and gave the Lakers a 2 goal lead (3-1). This was followed up shortly thereafter by a Lakers' power play which ate up valuable minutes off the clock. With 2:26 to go the Panthers pulled their goalie in a desperate attempt to get back in the game. The Panthers attack was relentless and thirty seconds later the Lakers took a penalty to set up a 6 on 4 Panthers advantage. Even two men short the Lakers were able to hold off the Panthers for awhile before surrendering a power play goal. With 1:20 to go and the Panthers net empty it was going to be a test of wills and desire if the Lakers were to come away with the win. The Panthers pressed but the next goal would belong to the Lakers as MacSorley completed the third period hat trick (assists to Castell and PJ Conlon). The Panthers kept trying but the Lakers scored another empty net goal thirty seconds later when Devin Williams' clearing attempt slid gracefully into the Panthers' empty net. A Lakers' power play with 15 seconds left ensured that the Panthers' scoring was done for the day. Final score: 5-2 for the Lakers.

The Player of the Game (MVP) for the Lakers was Joe Metzger for his solid play between the pipes in turning aside the Panthers' attack.

Weekend Point Leaders
Following the conclusion of the weekend, Alliance Hockey released the list of the top 17 point getters for the Bantam Showcase. First overall was the Lakers Mac MacSorley with 11 points (8 goals, 3 assists). Joining MacSorley on the list were Braydon Blight (5 points: a goal and 4 assists) and PJ Conlon (5 points: 3 goals, 2 assists). Way to go, boys!

Markham Majors Fall Classic
Markham, Ontario
October 9th - 11th, 2009

1. Awards for Champions and Finalists.
2. Minimum of (4) games guaranteed
3. Free Tournament Program.
4. Entries include teams from the U.S.A. and Canada.
5. Three excellent hockey facilities with 5 pads.


Rules

1. All CAHA, GTHL rules & regulations apply except where modified by tournament rules.  The Tournament Director and/or Committee have final say on all rules and regulations and/or the interpretation of those.

2. The Referee's decision is final.  No protests will be heard on a referee's decision.

3. All teams must register at the arena tournament office at least 45 minutes prior to their first game with the following documents:

a. Approved tournament permission form from your league
b. Registered players and coaches CAHA, GTHL certificate cards or photocopies of cards for the current season
c. Registered Trainers Certificate

4. All teams must have a certified trainer on the bench at all times during their games throughout the tournament

5. All teams must be prepared to start their game up to twenty minutes prior to their scheduled start time.

6. If there is a 5-goal or greater spread in the 3rd period, the clock will be allowed to run.  If the spread becomes 3 goals or less, the clock will revert to stop time

7. All teams will play a minimum of 3 games with the possibility of 4 of 5 games depending on the number of teams in your age group.

8. A point system will be used as follows:
            Win:     2 points
            Tie:       1 point
            Loss:    0 points

9. Ties in the Round Robin series will be broken as follows:

            2 Teams
            a. Winner of the game between the two teams
            b. Highest % (goals for) / (sum of goals for and against) 
            c. Most goals for
            d. Highest goals for minus goals against
            e. Least penalty minutes
            f. Coin toss

            3 or more Teams
            Determine first place team by:
                a. Highest % (goals for) / (sum of goals for and against)
                b. Most goals for
                c. Highest goals for minus goals against
                d. Least penalty minutes
            Continue until only 2 teams remain tied and revert back to 2 Team Rules

11. In the event of a tie in a Semi-Final or Championship game the following will be played:
            - a sudden victory overtime period of 4 minutes will be played 4 on 4; 
            - a sudden victory overtime period of 3 minutes will be played 3 on 3;
            - a sudden victory overtime period of 2 minutes will be played 2 on 2;**
              ** (If a penalty is called with the 2 on 2 format only, a player will be added to the opposing team i.e. 3 on 2)
            If still tied after the overtime periods, a shootout will be used to break the tie as follows:
            - 3 players from each team will alternately shoot once on the opposing goalie - the team with the most goals wins.
            - if still tied the shootout will be repeated with 3 new players until there is a winner

Markham Majors Fall Classic
Markham, Ontario
October 9th - 11th, 2009

Oct. 9: vs. Markham Waxers
On a dreary, rainy, Friday afternoon the Lakers opened their participation in the tournament with a game against the highly-touted Markham Waxers. The first period saw some spirited play by both teams in the early going with the Majors celebrating a goal just under two minutes in. However, after a conference by the on-ice officials, the goal was waved off as it was determined that the Majors' player had kicked the puck into the net. Shortly thereafter, the Lakers got into penalty trouble and gave the Majors 1 minute and 48 seconds 5 on 3 advantage. The Lakers PK units were up to the task and held off the Majors. The Majors carried a decided advantage in the play through the first period and although they outshot the Lakers 14-7, the Lakers defensive play rose to the challenge and the period ended 0-0.

The second period was the Waxers turn to get into penalty trouble when about five minutes in they took a couple penalties to give the Lakers a couple power plays, including a 38 second 5 on 3. The Lakers were unable to cash in, however. With the game half over the teams were still both scoreless. Then, with just under 5 minutes to go in the period, the Waxers broke the deadlock and took a one goal lead which they held through the remainder of the period.

The third period saw both these teams continue to battle. The Lakers killed off a penalty in the early going and then the play was fairly even throughout the majority of the period. Penalties would be the Lakers undoing, however, as the Majors were given their second 5 on 3 opportunity with just under 6 minutes to go. The Lakers valiantly tried to hold off the Majors and did so for almost a full minute and a half before surrendering a goal to the Majors to fall behind 2-0. In the final minute of the game, the Lakers pulled their goalie, Joe Metzger, to try to close the gap but unfortunately gave up an empty net goal to lose the game 3-0.

The Lakers MVP for this game was Metzger for his play in net as the Majors outshot the Lakers 31-26 with many excellent scoring chances.

Oct. 9: vs. Central Ontario Wolves
Next up for the Lakers was a late evening game against the Central Ontario Wolves. It turned out to be a very late game as the 9:35 pm start time was pushed back to after 10:30 pm as the tournament was running behind. The Lakers fell behind early in this game as the Wolves scored in the first couple of minutes. The Lakers were able to tie up the game a couple minutes later with a power play goal when, after Riley McCabe passed the puck across to Brett Stacey on the point, Stacey blasted a shot through traffic and beat the Wolves' goalie on the short side (see video below).

With 4 minutes to go the Lakers took a 2-1 lead when Devin Williams shovelled home the rebound after Greg Williams had walked out from the corner and fired a shot on net from the face-off dot (see video below). 

The Wolves evened things up with two minutes to go and the first period ended tied 2-2.

The second period saw the Wolves re-establish their lead at 3-2 with a goal midway through the period. By the end of the period shots were equal at 18 apiece as play see-sawed between these two teams.

The third period saw the Wolves widen their lead to 4-2 five minutes in before the Lakers responded at the midway point with a goal of their own (see video below). This goal came when a centring attempt by Nick Castell from behind the icing line deflected off the Wolves' goalie's stick and into the net (assist to PJ Conlon).

This would be as close as the Lakers would be able to come before time ran out with the final score, Wolves: 4, Lakers: 3.

Lakers MVP for the game was Mac MacSorley.

With a 4 game round robin used to determine the top 4 teams advancing to Sunday, the Lakers had dug themselves a large hole on the first day and could only hope that Saturday would bring better results. After the first day the Lakers sat in 11th place out of the 12 teams.

Oct. 10: vs. Ajax-Pickering Raiders

Day 2 saw the Lakers wake up to a bright, sunny, beautiful, fall day with all thoughts of yesterday's defeats behind them. It was a pumped up team that took to the ice in the early afternoon to face the Ajax-Pickering Raiders. The Lakers got onto the scoreboard early when Michael Siddall, bursting in on a 2 on 1 with Riley McCabe, slid a pass across to McCabe who beat the goalie glove-side (see video below). The other assist went to Iain Donnelly.

Play went end to end throughout the remainder of the period and although the Raiders had the edge in shots (8-6) it was the Lakers who maintained the 1-0 lead.

The second period saw the close play between these two teams continue through the first half. With 5 and half minutes to go in the period the Raiders would get on the scoreboard to tie things at 1-1. A minute and half later they scored again to go up 2-1 on the Lakers. As time was winding down in the period the Lakers pressed on to get the equalizer before the flood. With just 12 seconds left in the frame, Mackinley O'Keefe rifled a shot along the ice from the point that careened off a Raiders' stick and into the net to knot the game at 2's, assists to PJ Conlon and Jayden Landry (see video below).

It would come down to the third period to decide the outcome of this game. The teams were evenly matched but it would be penalties that would tip the balance in the Lakers' favour. With 12 minutes remaining the Lakers went on the power play and were quickly rewarded when Donnelly fed the puck to Mac MacSorley at the half boards who slid the puck across to Siddall in the face-off circle to the goalie's right. Siddall wheeled and blasted the puck past the goalie to give the Lakers a 3-2 lead (see video below).

With just over three minutes to go, the Lakers' fourth power play of the game would see them net an insurance goal. This goal would come courtesy of Brett Stacey whose slapshot from the point along the ice would zip through traffic into the back of the net, assists to Conlon and Landry (see video below).

Ahead 4-2 and just a few minutes to go, the Lakers would "open the flood gates." With a minute and a half to go, MacSorley intercepted a Raiders' clearing attempt at their blueline, carried the puck in and using the Raiders' defenceman as a screen, fired the puck into the top corner (see video below).

Less than thirty seconds later, Braydon Blight fired a laser beam slapshot that went off both Raiders' goal posts to put the Lakers up 6-2 (see video below). 

The Raiders would get a goal with a few seconds to go in the game but it wouldn't be enough as the Lakers won 6-3. Lakers MVP for the game was O'Keefe.

Oct. 10: vs. West Seneca Wings
The Lakers second game of the day was an evening game against the West Seneca Wings. The Lakers had faced the Wings several times over the years going back to Minor Atom and were eager to see how they stacked up against this year's version of the team.

The Lakers opened the scoring 6 minutes into the first period when Mac MacSorley sent a pass out front to Braydon Blight who was poised just off the blue ice. Blight snapped home the puck into the open side of the net to get the Lakers on the scoreboard, assist to Iain Donnelly (see video below).

The Lakers followed up this first goal with a second goal just 30 seconds later when Greg Williams moved the puck out of the Lakers' zone and ahead to Nick Castell. Castell beat the defender and moved the puck across to Blight to set up the 2 on 1. Blight then made no mistake in wiring home his second goal of the game.

Ahead 2-0 the Lakers then had to kill off a penalty which took out a little steam from their attack. The PK unit was solid, however, and the Lakers finished the first period with a 2-0 lead and having outshot their opponents 9 to 7.

That would be as close as the shot count would get between these two teams as the Lakers peppered the Wings' goalie with shots in the second period. Although the period was scoreless, it was only through the excellent play of the Wings' goalie that the Lakers didn't add to their goal total as the Lakers outshot the Wings by an incredible 16 to 3 in the period.

The Lakers continued their strong play into the third period and were rewarded with two quick goals in the first two minutes. The first goal of the period came on the power play thanks to the hard work of Jayden Landry behind the net as he muscled the puck in, assists to PJ Conlon and Mackinley O'Keefe (see video below). 

The second goal of the period to put the Lakers up 4-0 came when Blight passed out to G. Williams at the hash marks who put the puck far corner, just inside the post for the goal (see video below).

At this point the game settled down with neither team pushing very hard as they both seemed content to run down the clock. However, with 5 and half minutes to go, Blight would get his hat trick when, after G. Williams passed to Castell behind the Wings' net and Castell kicked the puck out front, Blight would score from the same place he scored his first goal - from directly in front of the net (see video below).

Blight's goals were the perfect bookends to a Lakers' 5-0 victory. As the game ended the Lakers had outshot the Wings 37 to 14 with Joe Metzger picking up the shut-out.

Lakers MVP for the game was no surprise as Blight picked up the honours with his hat trick.

At the end of the second day the Lakers had managed to leap from 11th position to 5th in the round robin portion of the tournament. However, with just the top four teams advancing they found themselves just missing the chance to move on to the semi-finals. Nevertheless, the ability of the team to bounce back after Friday's losses with two solid wins on Saturday was great to see.

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.

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.

The Gold Puck is Waterloo's Showcase tournament. The tournament will feature the top teams in North America
competing for the Gold Puck Championships in three different divisions. AAA only teams will be accepted and seeded based on record. Space is limited.

• Guaranteed four (4) games
• Teams will be seeded
• Player of the game awards
• All Championship games on Sunday
• Bantam (1995) - 2 divisions of 4 = 8 Teams 

Arenas
• Manulife Financial Sportsplex - RIM Park (three ice pads)
• Albert McCormick Arena (twin pads)

• Manulife Financial Sportsplex - RIM Park (three ice pads) • Albert McCormick Arena (twin pads)

GAME LENGTHS

Bantam Division Round Robin
• 10 - 15 - 15 minute stop time periods

Semi-finals and FINALS (All Divisions)
• 3 x 15 minute stop time periods

Ice will be resurfaced at the end of every two periods of play.
All Championship games will start on newly resurfaced ice.

Scheduled game start times are approximate. Teams must be ready to play 15 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. There is a mercy rule, PLUS extra time built into the schedule so you must be ready to play 15 minutes prior to the scheduled game time or run the risk of forfeiture. Teams that are not ready to start their games on time or within the 15-minute window may forfeit such games at the discretion of the arena coordinator. Due to the nature of our scheduling, time restrictions will be enforced.
 

MERCY RULE
If the goal differential is seven goals at any time during the second period or five goals in the third period, the clock shall change to running time. If subsequently the margin is reduced to less than seven goals or five goals respectively, the clock will NOT revert back to stop time. During running time, minor penalties will be 3:00 minutes and major penalties, 7:30 minutes. The mercy rule is in effect for all games including round robin, elimination (if applicable), semi-finals and finals.

OVERTIME
Elinimation (if applicable), semi-final and final games shall be sudden victory. Teams may freely substitute during the overtime.  Overtime periods in finals will be 10 minutes - 4 on 4; second overtime will be 10 minutes - 3 on 3; followed by a shoot-out. The first team to score in an equal amount of shots will be declared the winner.  No player may shoot twice until all players, excluding goalies, have participated in the shootout. 

TIME-OUTS
There will be no time-outs in round robin play. One 30 second time-out per team per game will be permitted in elimination (if applicable), semi-final and final games.

PLAYOFF SEEDING - 2009
Bantam Division – 1st and 2nd place teams in each division advance

Play-off seeding will be based on points but the Tournament Committee will adjust the playoff game match-ups in an effort to ensure teams do not meet twice before the finals.
 

ADMINISTRATION, RULES and POLICIES

Admission - NO GATE FEE
 

Eligibility
Only teams with approved Hockey Canada (HC) or Hockey USA rosters/cards will be permitted to play.

A maximum of 19 players may participate in any one game. However, a total of 21 players may be registered (three (3) of which may be goalies) and substituted from game to game.

There shall be a maximum of six (6) team officials registered to any team. Only five (5) may go on the bench.
Affiliated players may participate only if listed on an approved Affiliated Players List.

Travel Permit
All teams must present a travel permit with their player registration to the tournament office prior to their first game. There is a tournament office in every arena.

General
Teams will play a minimum of four (4) games. Please check your schedule to ensure its accuracy. You are guaranteed four games against different opponents. In the event of a conflict, please notify the Registrar as soon as possible.

ALLIANCE Hockey playing rules shall govern.

Teams may be required to provide a person to operate the penalty gate.

No one, other than players, coaches and trainers are allowed in the dressing rooms or the hallway leading to the dressing rooms before and after games.

Any player/coach receiving a second major penalty MAY be immediately suspended from further play in the tournament.

Alliance rules require suspensions to be served in the next scheduled game. Therefore a player or coach receiving a suspendable penalty must serve it during the tournament regardless of their league's additional requirements. It is the responsibility of the team's coaching staff to confirm player/coach eligibility after any suspendable penalty.

Due to variations in League rules, any player or coach under suspension entering the tournament is ineligible to participate in the tournament unless first cleared by the Tournament Committee. Either of the above violations will cause the offending team to forfeit the game(s) in which the above were used. The game will be shown as a 9-0 score for the non-offending team.

A Tournament Committee will hear protests. No protest will be heard regarding a referee's decision. A $200 deposit, that will be returned if your protest is successful, must accompany all protests. A protest may only be heard if it is brought to the attention of the tournament chairperson or their delegate within thirty (30) minutes of completion of the game in question. A formal written submission can follow the initial notification. A hearing and ruling will be completed prior to the team's next scheduled game. All decisions made by the Tournament Committee are final.

Tie-Breaking Formula

Tie-breaking and the determination of the wild card teams in round robin standings will be based, in order, on:
The head to head result involving the teams tied (two way ties only).
The best ratio of "Goals For/(Goals For + Goals Against)" in all round robin games.
The team with the least goals against would advance.
The team with the most goals scored.
The team that scored the first goal in the head-to-head game.
The team with the lowest number of penalty minutes.
A toss of a coin by the tournament chairman.

Release from Liability
Acceptance of a team's entry releases the tournament committee and officials, the arena management and everyone connected with the tournament from all liability for injury or accident which may be incurred by a player, team official or spectator while attending or participating in the tournament.

 

Waterloo Gold Puck Tournament
Waterloo, Ontario
December 11-13, 2009

 

Friday
Game 1: vs. North Bay Blades
The Lakers opened their involvement in the tournament with an early afternoon game against the North Bay Blades. The Lakers scored early in the first after Matthew McCracken (an AP from the Listowel Bantam Rep team) passed across to Mac MacSorley on the far side of the net who fired the puck into the open side, second assist to Greg Williams (see video below).

The Lakers added to their tally a minute later when Michael Siddall sprung Braydon Blight who drove down the wing and fired a shot on net. The rebound came out front to Kyle Sippel who chipped the puck in to make the score 2-0 (see video below).

The second period saw the Lakers continue to control the play and outshoot the Blades. However, the Blades would score a power play goal in the dying seconds of the period to reduce the Lakers’ lead to just a goal.

The third period started with the Lakers continuing to play hard and pressure the Blades. The Lakers were rewarded in the first 30 seconds of the period as G. Williams fed Brett Stacey at the point. Stacey moved across to open ice and then fired a shot that proved too hot for the goalie to handle, the other assist went to McCracken (see video below).

The Blades scored another power play goal later in the period to make the score close at just 3-2 for the Lakers but the Lakers were just too strong for the Blades and the final score of 3-2 saw the Lakers opening the tournament with a win.

Game 2: vs. Waterloo Wolves
Next up for the Lakers was a game against their league rival and tournament host Waterloo Wolves. The Wolves popped in a couple goals midway through the period before the Lakers responded with a goal of their own on a breakaway by Nick Castell, assists from Riley McCabe and PJ Conlon (see video below).

The Wolves scored again before the period ended to go up 3-1.

The Wolves proved to be too much for the Lakers to handle this game as they scored twice in both the second and third periods en route to handing the Lakers a 7-1 loss.

Saturday
Game 3: vs. Grey-Bruce Highlanders
The loss to the Wolves the previous day had put the Lakers in a tight spot that meant they had to win their game against the Grey-Bruce Highlanders to keep their hopes of advancing to play on Sunday alive. As well, the Lakers had played the Highlanders in two exhibition games at the beginning of the season and been defeated soundly – the Lakers were looking for redemption. With a couple injured players, the Lakers tapped the Lakers Minor Bantam team for some of their talent and called up Roland McKeown and Jacob Middleton to bolster the squad.

The Lakers got off to a great start in this game by scoring in the first couple minutes. Iain Donnelly fed Devin Williams who was cruising in to the front of the net. Williams put the puck upstairs to give the Lakers the 1-0 lead, assist by Michael Siddall (see video below).

Roland McKeown made his presence known just over halfway through the period when he took a pass from Donnelly, “turned on the jets” and wheeled down the ice and into the Highlanders' zone. McKeown drew the Highlanders’ defenders to him and then slid a pass across to Braydon Blight who was all alone on the far side of the net. Blight made no mistake in recording the power play goal (see video below).

The second period saw the Highlanders get a power play goal of their own halfway through the period to cut the lead in half at 2-1.

With just a one goal lead going into the third period, the next goal would be huge in determining the outcome of this game. The Lakers got that goal just a couple minutes in on a play that started with Kyle Sippel passing the puck to Jacob Middleton in the high slot. Seeing the crowd of bodies in front of the net, Middleton opted to fire a hot pass to Riley McCabe just off to the side of the net. McCabe executed a spin-a-rama move and blasted the puck into the net to give the Lakers a 3-1 lead (see video below).

It was a goal that sent the Highlanders reeling and before they could recover the Lakers had added another goal on the next shift. This goal came when Nick Castell took the puck deep into the Highlanders’ end, through the corner and then passed the puck through traffic out front to Greg Williams in front of the net who made the score 4-1 (see video below).

The Highlanders got a goal in the last couple minutes but it wouldn’t be enough as the Lakers took a 4-2 win.

Game 4: vs. Timmins Eagles
The Lakers final game was against the Timmins Eagles who had suffered a 12-0 loss to Waterloo earlier in the day. A Lakers win would ensure the Major Bantams would advance to the semi-final game on Sunday.

The Lakers again had a great start as they scored just 8 seconds in after a turnover gave PJ Conlon the chance for a shot on net and he made no mistake (see video below).

The goal had happened so fast that the Lakers’ fans hadn’t even realized it happened.

The fans made up for their missed cheer on the first goal by cheering loudly on the second goal midway through the second period. This goal came on the power play after Michael Siddall passed the puck back to Brett Stacey at the point and Stacey’s shot was redirected by Greg Williams past the Timmins’ netminder (see video below).

The Lakers then followed this up with another goal a minute or so later to go up 3-0. It was G. Williams scoring again and this time he tipped a Carter Simpson shot (see video below).

Timmins finally got on the scoreboard with a few minutes to go in the period to make the score 3-1 for the Lakers.

Timmins scored early in the third period on the power play to make the score 3-2 and the game a lot more interesting. Just seconds after scoring their second goal the Eagles almost scored again but had the goal waved off due to a high stick. This seemed to wake the Lakers up as they had been slow moving at the start of the period. The Lakers then scored a power play goal to increase their lead to 4-2. Mac MacSorley scored this goal by splitting the Eagles’ defencemen and then shooting the puck between the legs of the Eagles’ goalie (see video below).

That would be it for scoring for this game although it did get a little rough in the final two minutes when a couple Timmins players went looking for trouble (something I’m sure they regretted after the scuffles were over).

With the win the Lakers finished second in their pool and would play the Soo Thunder who were first in their pool.

Sunday
Semi-final Game: vs Soo Thunder
It was a depleted Lakers squad that took to the ice on Sunday morning as two players were serving suspensions from the previous game, one player was still injured, and two were playing hurt. The Lakers were committed to giving it their all, nonetheless.

Things didn’t start well for the Lakers as they found themselves behind 1-0 a couple minutes into the game. The boys keep working though and managed to get a power play goal early in the second period to tie things up. Iain Donnelly scored this goal after Michael Siddall passed to him from the far side of the net (see video below).

With almost two periods in the books and just two minutes to go it looked like the Lakers would get to their break between periods while the ice was flooded with the game tied. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be as the Thunder popped in two quick goals to put the Lakers down 3-1 at the end of the second. The Lakers depleted ranks and injuries were taking their toll.

The two goal deficit was just too much for the Lakers to come back from as tired legs just wouldn’t move as fast as the players wanted. The Thunder added another goal in the third to defeat the Lakers 4-1. The Thunder went on to face the Waterloo Wolves in the final where the Wolves won 4-0.

All in all, the Lakers had a successful tournament and reached their goal of at least advancing beyond the round robin portion of the tournament.

December 26-30th, 2009
At: Canlan Ice Sports (Etobicoke) Arena, Chesswood Arena,
Canlan Ice Sports York and Westwood Arena.

Frank Selke Conference Division 1 CAROLINA JR. HURRICANES DON MILLS FLYERS SOO THUNDER SYRACUSE NATIONALS WINDSOR JR. SPITFIRES Division 2 BOSTON ADVANTAGE LONDON JR. KNIGHTS (GD) MISSISSAUGA SENATORS PITTSBURGH HORNETS WELLAND TIGERS Division 3 BRANTFORD 99ERS HAMBURG HAWKS PHILADELPHIA JR. FLYERS QUINTE RED DEVILS TORONTO NATIONALS Division 4 DETROIT HONEYBAKED OTTAWA JR. 67’S SOUTH CENTRAL COYOTES ST. CATHARINES JR. FALCONS TORONTO TITANS Division 5 HALTON HURRICANES LONDON JR. KNIGHTS (GR) MARKHAM WAXERS NORTH YORK RANGERS ST. LOUIS BLUES Division 6 CLARINGTON TOROS NEW ENGLAND JR. FALCONS TORONTO JR. CANADIENS SUN COUNTY PANTHERS

George Legge Conference Division 7 BUFFALO REGALS CENTRAL ONTARIO WOLVES OHIO BLUE JACKETS TORONTO MARLBOROS UPPER CANADA CYCLONES Division 8 ELGIN-MIDDLESEX CHIEFS NORTH CENTRAL PREDATORS OAKVILLE RANGERS TORONTO RED WINGS THUNDER BAY KINGS Division 9 CAMBRIDGE HAWKS CHICAGO MISSION MARKHAM MAJORS OTTAWA VALLEY TITANS WHEATFIELD BLADES Division 10 CLEVELAND BARONS HAMILTON REPS MISSISSAUGA REBELS NICKEL CITY SONS NORTH JERSEY AVALANCHE Division 11 BARRIE JR. COLTS EASTERN ONTARIO WILD MISSISSAUGA REPS WATERLOO WOLVES WESTCHESTER EXPRESS Division 12 HAMILTON JR. BULLDOGS HURON-PERTH LAKERS OTTAWA SENATORS TEAM ILLINOIS VAUGHAN KINGS

For the complete tournament schedule & results, click here. Below is the schedule for after the round robin portion:

 

 

 

and Team Awards

The information listed below is general and will be adjusted according to number of teams, tournament draw, and final schedule. Specific information as it applies to each Age Category will be posted and distributed along with the final schedule and details no later than December 1st.

Tournament Format
Age Categories will be comprised with the anticipated number of teams:

        MAJOR BANTAM - 50 to 60

Teams will be divided into Balanced Divisions of four or five teams in each Division. Each team will be guaranteed four games in a Round Robin or Cross-Over A minimum of Eight Teams in each category will advance to the Play-off Rounds. Any Wild Cards selected to advance to the Quarter Finals will be determined on the basis of highest points. If a tie still exists, then the teams will advance on the basis of highest percentage. (Add the goals for and against together and divide into the goals for.) Length of Games 12-15-15 Stop Time Round Robin 12-15-15 Stop Time Quarters & Semis 15-15-15 Stop Time Finals Overtime During the preliminary games if there is a tie at the end of regulation time, both teams will be awarded one point. Overtime will only be played in the Quarters, Semis, and Finals. (For overtime information refer to Rules & Regulations). Referees All games will have a - 3-Man system Rules & Regulations C.H.A./O.H.F. rules apply with the following exceptions noted: no center red line on off-sides Teams must register at least one hour prior to first game. All teams must dress a minimum of 12 skaters, including 2 goalies. The maximum number of players to be registered shall be 20. The maximum number of players to be dressed, including goalies is 19 (20 for USA Hockey). Affiliated players will be accepted providing they are registered on the initial team list prior to the first game. No player may play for two teams during the tournament. If however an affiliated player’s team has been eliminated from the tournament, that player becomes eligible to play with the higher category team. Any team found with ineligible players participating in a game will be disqualified from the tournament. (Note: Games won by a disqualified team will be considered a win for the opposing team at a score of 1 - 0). All teams must carry local league registration cards for each player (copies accepted). No team can participate without their Branch permission. FIGHTING & MAJOR PENALTIES If any player incurs a Major penalty for fighting, or another Major infraction which carries an automatic game misconduct, the player shall receive a suspension consistent with the mandatory suspension as prescribed by the Ontario Hockey Federation. MATCH PENALTIES All match penalties shall be reviewed by the Tournament Committee at a hearing attended by the offending player, the coach and any other person designated by the Committee. TEAM COLOURS It is preferable that each team carries two contrasting sets of sweaters with them. It is the responsibility of the Home Team to change color of sweaters if they are similar to their opponents. Home and Away is indicated on the schedule. TIES - METHOD OF DECLARING DIVISION STANDINGS AND WINNERS If two teams are tied in points, whichever team won the game played against the team with which it is tied, places higher, i.e. “head to head”. If still tied in points, whichever team earned more wins based on Round Robin play. If more than two teams are tied, whichever team earned more points (wins and ties included) based on games between the teams tied. If still tied, add the goals for and against together and divide into the goals for, with the team with the highest percentage placing higher. If still tied... least goals against If still tied... most goals for If still tied... fewest penalty minutes (Majors & Misconducts included) If still tied... coin toss Ties in the SEMI-FINALS AND CHAMPIONSHIP If tied at the end of regulation time, teams will not change ends, but commence to play a ten (10) minute stop time sudden-victory overtime period. If still tied, teams will retire to their respective dressing rooms while the ice is re-surfaced. Upon returning to the ice, teams will commence playing ten (10) minute stop time sudden-victory overtime periods until one team scores. Ties in the MINOR & MAJOR BANTAM PLAY-OFFS If tied at the end of regulation time, teams will not change ends, but commence to play a ten (10) minute stop time sudden-victory overtime period. If still tied, play will resume in a five (5) minute sudden-victory period with four skaters on the ice per team. If still tied, an additional sudden-victory period will resume with three players on the ice per team until one team scores. *** A penalty incurred during the “3 on 3” will result in the non-offending team adding a playerto the ice for the duration of the penalty. Section (g) applies to all play-offs except the MINOR BANTAM SEMI-FINALS and FINALS, AND THE BANTAM CONFERENCE FINAL AND GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP. If tied at the end of regulation time, teams will not change ends, but commence to play a ten (10) minute stop time sudden-victory overtime period. If still tied, teams will retire to their respective dressing rooms while the ice is re-surfaced. Upon returning to the ice, teams will commence playing ten (10) minute stop time sudden-victory overtime periods until one team scores. PROTESTS There shall be NO PROTESTS. The decisions of the Tournament Committee shall be final. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to rule on items not previously covered. TIME-OUTS One 30-second time-out will be allowed per game (includes overtime). General Information Insurance: The Holiday Classic Tournament or its Tournament Committee will not be held responsible for injuries caused by a player or spectator. Please ensure that all players are covered by insurance before participating in the Tournament. Dressing Rooms: Only registered players will be allowed in the dressing rooms. Any player(s) suspended during the tournament must not enter the dressing room prior to the game(s) from which they are suspended. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a further suspension. Dressing Rooms must be vacated 20 minutes after game. Teams are responsible for ensuring their dressing rooms are locked and secure at all times. It is the team’s responsibility to provide their own locks.

December 26-30th, 2009

Sunday, December 27/09
Game #1
The Lakers led off the tournament with a late morning game against the Vaughan Kings. The game didn’t start so well as the Lakers gave up three goals in the first period. The second period began better as Mac MacSorley scored just thirty seconds in to give the Lakers some life, assisted by Riley McCabe (see video below).

Unfortunately, the Kings responded with two more goals (one of which was a power play goal) to put the Lakers behind 5-1 after two periods. The Lakers just couldn’t seem to get going in this game and gave up another goal in the third period to lose their first game 6-1. The shot count of 46 to 5 for the Kings accurately reflected the pounding the Lakers took in this game.

Game #2
Early Sunday evening the Lakers would play against Team Illinois in their second game of the day. Their first opponent, the Vaughan Kings, had been ranked only slightly higher than the Lakers but Team Illinois was ranked #4 in the U.S. After the 6-1 drubbing at the hands of the Kings it wasn’t looking so good for the Lakers going into the game with the Americans.

It was a welcome surprise though in the team that skated onto the ice for the Lakers. The Lakers had shaken off their horrible first game and came ready to play in what would, at best, be a tough contest with Team Illinois. Hard skating and hard working were apt descriptions of the Lakers in this game. Although the Illinois team was very fast and skilled, the Lakers weren’t intimidated and raised their game to the same level.

Both teams played to a scoreless draw in the first period. The second period was almost scoreless as well but Illinois was able to get the puck past Lakers’ netminder Joe Metzger in the last two minutes of the period to establish a one goal lead over the Lakers. The teams continued to battle throughout the third period. Try as they might, however, the Lakers couldn’t get the equalizer and Team Illinois won the game 1-0. The Lakers had played some of their best hockey with strong defensive play – a foundation to build on in the remaining games of the tournament.


Monday, December 28/09
Game #3

The third game turned out to be a repeat performance by the Lakers of their first game the previous day. The opponent in this game was the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs – a team ranked just below the Lakers.

The Lakers had a promising start in this game as they carried the play for most of the first period and even scored first with about a minute and a half to go in the period. Riley McCabe opened the scoring for the Lakers with assists to Greg Williams and Nick Castell (see video below).

Unfortunately, in the final minute of the period the Bulldogs scored to even the score at 1-1.

The second period would see the Bulldogs take the lead on a power play goal midway through. The Lakers would get their turn on the power play with just over a minute to go in the period. In what would be a nightmare for the Lakers they would give up two short-handed goals during this power play – one before the period ended and another twenty seconds into the third period. It’s a two minute stretch that’s best forgotten. The Lakers got their second goal of the game in the last third of the period when Mac MacSorley scored after muscling past a Bulldog defender and slipping the puck between the goalie's legs, assist to PJ Conlon (see video below).

The Bulldogs added another goal late in the third to hand the Lakers a 5-2 loss and take away any chance of the Lakers advancing in the tournament.


Tuesday, December 29/09
Game #4

The Lakers’ final game of the tournament saw them matched up against the Ottawa Jr. Senators. The Lakers and Senators had tangled a month earlier at the Kitchener tournament and battled to a 2-2 tie. The Senators needed a win to move on in the tournament and the Lakers were playing both for pride and to prove they were a better team than the results of two of the three games they had played showed.

In the roller coaster ride the Lakers players were taking the coaching staff and parents on in this tournament this game would see them soar to new heights. The Lakers were “on fire” for this game and played a fast skating, hard hitting, quick puck movement style of hockey combined with a ferocious forecheck. The entire team was hungry for the puck.

It was a scoreless first period that saw both teams have chances but no success. Joe Metzger was called upon to make a great pad save less than a dozen seconds into the second period after a Senator slipped between the Lakers defenceman on a short breakaway. The save seemed to fire up the Lakers as just twenty seconds later they would storm into the Senators’ end and take a one goal lead when, after a nifty backhand pass from Nick Castell, PJ Conlon roofed the puck from in close, second assist to Michael Siddall (see video below).

Having opened the scoring, the Lakers were hungry for more goals. Less than a minute later, Devin Williams scored an unassisted goal after stripping a Senators’ defenceman of the puck and bursting in alone on the goalie (see video below).

The Lakers had the Senators back on their heels and as a result the Senators took a string of penalties over the remainder of the period. On the next three power plays the Lakers would score on each one to open up a 5-0 lead. Goals came from strong efforts from the power play units and included scoring by Greg Williams (assist to Riley McCabe), McCabe (assists to Jayden Landry and Brett Stacey), and Mac MacSorley (assist to Siddall) (see videos below).

The Senators were able to finally get on the scoreboard in the final minute of the second period to make the score 5-1.

The third period saw the Senators score a power play goal of their own but they couldn’t close the gap as the Lakers, firmly in control of this game, were not going to be denied. It was clearly one of the Lakers best games of the entire season to date.

Overall, the Lakers had a good showing in the tournament going 2-2. The great games against some very tough teams (Illinois and Ottawa) were strong positives to take away from the tournament. The poor showings in the other two contests were vivid reminders that success will only come if the entire team puts in a 100% effort while working together as a team.