This past
weekend our U12BB South Simcoe Storm participated in their first tournament of
the season - The Welland Little NHL.
Day one was an
eye opener, and The Storm went back to the hotel with a tie and a loss and a
lot of self-reflection. A few games of bowling and laser tag later
- the U12BB kids were reminded of the team goals that had been laid out and the
steps they all agreed to take to achieve them.
Day two was an
entire do or die scenario with our backs against the wall for an early morning
game against the current tournament leaders – The Hamilton Huskies. With
two team members having birthdays and each asking for a win – the bar was set
high! The boys fought with an extra level of focus and effort to secure a 5-0
win with five different goal scorers, proving to themselves that wins come with
teamwork.
The newfound
determination carried through the day with a tough 3-1 win against the Upper
York Admirals which granted two birthday wishes along with a trip to the finals
where the Hamilton Huskies would get their chance at a rematch.
With a nervous
start the kids went down a goal early to the Huskies and could have folded to
the intense level of play. However, The Storm fired up and the commitment
to defense made sure that was the last Hamilton goal of the day. The
boys, with the greatest fan base behind their backs, pushed on for 4 straight
goals to win their first tournament of the year and for some the first
tournament of their lives. This, they will never forget.
Thank you to
the parents, family, and fan support, who always remained positive. Without you
the boys wouldn’t have had the confidence to get up and keep pushing
forward. Big shout out to the tendy tandem of Lucas and Maks who only let
in 7 goals in 5 games. We look forward to a great season.
Teamwork wins
championships, and champions drink from the cup!
The
proud coaching staff of the U12BB