Dec 30, 2014 | Randy Torrie | 526 views
Bantams Defeated in SilverStick Final
The Air Tech Mechanical Bantam Rebels were defeated by South Bruce by a 4-2 score.
To get to the final the Rebels defeated Lucknow 3-0 in the quarter finals and Minto 3-2 in the semi finals. After a scoreless first period with Lucknow, the boys scored 3 goals within 5 minutes to secure the victory. Alex scored twice(assisted by Cody and Owen) while Branson rounded out the scoring with a blistering top shelf slap shot. The Minto game saw the boys fall behind just 1:21 into the game, but rallied in the second with 2 goals to take a 2-1 lead into the third. Alex scored from the slot, assisted by Cody and Mason. Owen added a power play goal, assisted by Mitch and Brett. It looked like the 1 goal lead might be enough, however, with 2:12 remaining the Mad Dogs tied the game. 1 overtime period of 5 on 5 and a second OT of 4 on 4 saw neither team score despite the end to end action that featured numerous scoring chances by both teams. A shootout followed. Brett, Owen and Branson all scored on their attempts and Ty came up with the save needed to send the boys into the championship.
South Bruce is the defending International SilverStick champion and their experience (and skill) may have been the difference in the early going as they came out strong. This was the first SilverStick Championship for this group of Rebels and they found themselves down a goal within 55 seconds. South Bruce went up by 2 early in the second period before Owen scored a unassisted shorthanded marker to cut the lead to 2-1. Penalties were a problem in the second for the Rebels as they took 3 minors in an attempt to slow the South Bruce attack. South Bruce added 2 more before the end of the second to take a 4-1 lead into the break. The Rebels tried to get back into the game in the third and were helped by 3 South Bruce penalties. Branson (from Owen and Brett) added a powerplay goal with 3:34 remaining but that was as close as the boys got.
It was a great tourney for our Rebels and the boys hope to build on this experience in the OMHA's.