Nov 11, 2013 | ngaylor | 1530 views
Shanahan Warrior Tournament Huge Success
Written by Kory Dietz
The Major Atom Lakers competed this past weekend at the Shanahan Warrior Tournament at the Poweraid Centre arena this past weekend in Brampton Ontario. With 48 of the top teams from across Ontario and the USA.
The team started off Friday vs the Brampton 45's, after surrendering a goal at the 5:25 mark , they worked off the nervous energy, as Camden Daigle scored on a nice feed from Tanner Dietz, to tie the score late in the first period. Brady Balllantyne scored the lone goal of the second period from Luke Gaylor. Then the Lakers exploded for three goals to start the 3rd period at 3:50, as Dietz scored a pair 1:35 apart, and Ballantyne scored a minute later. After a Brampton goal, Sam Sedley, and Gaylor scored both to make the final 7-2. Luke deVries 2, Patrick Holloway 2, Wade Robinson, Jackson McLlwain, Dietz, all added assists in the third period. Kyle Powers recorded the win in goal.
Game 2, on Friday afternoon against the top ranked Toronto Titans, the boys came out flying but could not over come some early nervous energy as they took it to the Titans with some early scoring chances, but just could not finish off them. After the Titans broke through and scored twice mid way thru the first period. Daigle finished off a nice tic tac toe passing play from Holloway, and Dietz to draw the Lakers to 2-1 after the first period, and a moral victory in itself. Starting the second period the Titans came on and capitalized on the inexperienced Lakers at this high end level game, as they countered three quick goals to lead 5-1 after two. Waugh battled hard in the net, as did the defence of Sedley, Maverick Mulder, Aiden McMann, deVries, and Wade Robinson, but they were just too strong, as they added two more. Gaylor scored late on a PP from McLlwain and Ballantyne. Final score of 7-2 didn't indicate how close the game was. Boys gained experience and respect moving forward from the 03 teams and name on the map.
Game 3, Sat am, the team needing a couple win's on the day to have a shot at the playoff round, really responded against the Peterborough Petes with a dominating 6-3 win. Daigle led the goal parade scoring four times, Holloway, and McLlwain also scored. Dietz added four playmaking assists, and Holloway and Sedley 2, Mulder, McMann Ballantyne, Gaylor one each.
Final round robin game Sat pm, with a record of 2-1 and needing a convincing win, and defensive play the Lakers responded against New Jersey, USA with a 4-0 victory, behind the shutout goaltending of Aaron Waugh who was spectacular at times. Daigle continued the hot hand contributing the hat trick, Dietz also scored and added two assists, the defence moved the puck well all game, as Sedley 2, Devries, McMann, Mulder all added an assist each. The win advanced the team into the top 12 teams, for Sundays playoff round.
The team faced Nepean Raiders, ranked #8 in Ontario, and they didn't disappoint as they came out hard but the gas tank was empty and Raiders were a strong club, as they defeated the Lakers 4-1. Dietz, set up Daigle for the lone marker of the game but 3 goal posts and a cross bar by the club could have turned the momentum or been game changers early and in the second period. Powers took the tough loss in goal.
The boys gained very valuable exposure to the top teams in Ontario and the USA this past weekend, and will take that experience to grow. Fan support was fantastic all weekend long.