Bronze in Lake Placid

Lake Placid Hockey

 

Departing on Thursday, December 11, the 1st Boys’ and 1st Girls’ Hockey teams travelled to Lake Placid, New York to play in the Canadian Hockey Enterprises' American Cup.

 

 

Despite being on a roll coming into the tournament, the LCS boys struggled early on in the tournament. Facing a very strong opponent in their first matchup, the boys struggled to get their legs under them early. A few early power-play opportunities ended in disaster, as the team surrendered two short-handed goals against in the opening frame. The struggles continued into the third period and LCS found themselves down 8 - 0. Despite the sizeable deficit, the team continued to battle to the final buzzer, an effort that was not lost on the coaching staff. Player of the game honours went to Jon Florian.

 

In the second game of the tournament, the boys were quite clearly still adjusting to the much larger ice surface. This would ultimately spell trouble for the LCS squad, as they faced yet another difficult opponent. Although the boys were able to muster a solid effort, and multiple scoring opportunities, they failed to find the back of the net. While the outcome was an improvement over game one of the tournament, the boys registered their second loss by a score of 4 - 0. Mike Mackenzie was selected as the player of the game.

 

In what would ultimately be a preview of the Bronze Medal game, the boys were able to rally back from a three goal deficit to earn their first point of the tournament. The boys once again suffered a sluggish start to the game, and quickly found themselves behind by three. After Mike Mackenzie got LCS on the board, Adrien Mindjimba and Andrew Avard buried their firsts of the tournament to knot the game at threes. For his efforts, Andrew Avard was named player of the game. 

 

In a rematch against their game three opponents, the LCS squad found themselves one win away from a Bronze Medal. In what was easily the teams’ best game of the tournament, goals by Ben McShane and Jon Florian gave the boys a 2-1 lead heading into the final minutes of the third period. Just as it seemed the boys had the bronze well in hand, a late third period goal once again tied the game. As the extra frame solved nothing, the Bronze Medal was decided in a shootout. In a fitting end to an excellent game, Andrew Avard was able to redeem an earlier penalty shot miss with a beautiful game-winning shootout goal. Following the victory, Ben McShane received player of the game honours. 

 

For the players, coaches and many family members that made the lengthy journey to Lake Placid, the final game was the icing on what was a tremendous weekend filled with great hockey. 

 

Although LCS tallied five regulation goals over the course of the tournament, the thrilling shootout goals and victory will undoubtedly be what is remembered most by all the players, coaches and family members in attendance.

 

 

Playing against a strong and deep team, the girls had their work cut out for them in their first game of the tournament. Relying on the outstanding goaltending of Karen Collins, LCS remained in the game until the players found their legs. St. Theresa scored first, but Valerie Smith stuffed one in from behind the goal line to tie the game. The second period remained 1 - 1 until St. Theresa scored three unanswered goals in the third to make the final score 4 - 1.

 

Looking to rebound after a great team meal at a local old-school Italian restaurant, the girls in red and green played, what some have suggested was their best game of the year against Haliburton. The action was furious all over the ice with and without the puck. Unfortunately, despite numerous chances, LCS could not find the back of the net, falling 2 - 0.

 

After a restful night, the girls were committed to win games to qualify for the medal round. As a result, the young women found the back of the net, again, and again, and again, scoring ten goals in the process. A special result on the arena the hosted the Miracle on Ice in 1980. Goal scorers included: Captain Katie Garland (3), Valerie Smith (2), Caroline Dupuis (1), Kristen Evans (1), Reagan MacDonald (1), Rachael Wootton (1), and with her first as a member of the team, Allie Avard (1). Karen Collins earned her first shut out of the tournament.

 

The goal scoring continued in the girls' last round robin game. Their commitment to puck possession, puck protection and good decisions at both blue lines allowed the team move the puck with great precision. Goal scorers included: Kristen Evans (2), Katie Garland (1), Valerie Smith (1), Vanessa Smith (1), Caroline Dupuis (1) and Skye Nadon (1). Karen Collins earned her second shut out of the tournament.

 

In a rematch against the Crusaders from Saint John, and inspired by the 1st Boys' Hockey team’s magical overtime shoot out victory for their Bronze Medal, the girls began the game with an incredible flourish, scoring two goals in the first period and four in the second to take a firm control over the final result. The Bronze Medal win saw Karen Collins earn her third shut out of the tournament, and was clearly the class of the tournament. Goal scorers included: Kristen Evans (2), Skye Nadon (1), Rachael Wootton (1), Jenna Hall (1) and Reagan MacDonald (1).

 

It was a wonderful weekend for the players, and many family members in attendance.  

 

Over the five games, LCS scored 24 goals, allowed only 6 against, and played the game with confidence, and high degree of class and performance. Great job, girls!